The Music programme is divided into three key areas: the academic curriculum, the ensemble programme and the Instrumental Teaching Programme  (ITP). The ensemble programme offers many different opportunities for specialist and non-specialist musicians. Currently, it includes the following Middle School groups: MS Symphony Orchestra, MS Jazz Band,  Caribe  Samba  Band,  Karibu  Marimba  Express,  Rock  School and the MS Vocal Project. There are also a plethora of opportunities for students to participate in Chamber Ensemble group work. The ITP offers instrumental or voice lessons on a one-to-one basis. We offer a wide range of instruments. The academic curriculum focuses on key aspects of making and understanding music in practical music-making lessons. There are three strands that are reported on throughout the year: Exploring Music in Context, Composing Music and Performing Music.

The class curriculum divides into units of work that take approximately 6–8 weeks each. At the end of each unit of work, students are assessed and given an attainment level to reflect their understanding of the concepts studied.  There are three strands that are reported on throughout the year: Exploring Music in Context, Composing Music and Performing Music. Students are regularly asked to be involved in their own assessment, reflecting on their progress and development.

• Introduction to Keyboard  Fundamentals

In this unit students will explore and develop their fundamental skills and understandings around rhythm,  notation,  melody and harmony on keyboard instruments. Students are engaged in authentic performance tasks that allow them to develop these fundamental musical skills and knowledge. Students also engage with music software in developing performance techniques. The final summative assessment will be an individual folio which demonstrates students’ progress in the development of their skills and knowledge of the concepts studied.

• What is music? 

In this unit students will explore the concept of music as organised sound. They will identify and define fundamental musical elements, discuss music in terms of these elements and develop a deeper understanding of how musicians create music. The final product will be a piece of music created using GarageBand software to manipulate and organise found sounds.

• West African drumming and singing 

Through this unit, students will develop an understanding of the musical variety and contrasts that exist on the African continent. By focusing on the music of West Africa, and particularly Ghana, students will develop large ensemble skills, percussion technique and vocal skills. There will be a focus on using authentic songs, rhythms and structures, as well as developing an understanding of the context of the music through research and investigation.

• For those about to rock: 

An introduction to contemporary musicianship and ensemble performance In this unit students will learn how to manipulate and control chords, beat and repeated patterns, as well as develop an understanding of how musicians and composers communicate with each other through notation and rehearsal practice. The final project will involve students getting together in a rock group and learning,  rehearsing and performing a song of their choice.

• How can musicians affect change? 

This unit focuses on the role of music in social awareness. Students will develop knowledge and understanding relating to how music can be used to inform opinion, encourage action, tell important stories and create awareness. Students will learn to construct and manipulate major chords, create basic chord progressions, create melody and lyrics and perform in a small ensemble. The final product of this unit will be an original song that raises awareness about an environmental issue..

• The Evolution of Harmony 

This unit focuses on developing knowledge and skills relating to some of the basic building blocks of Western music. Through an understanding of how these musical elements have evolved, students will in turn develop knowledge of basic harmony and notation, as well as applying this knowledge in a practical composition and performance project in small groups.

• The Blues 

In this unit, students learn about the historical and cultural background of the Blues. They learn about structure, texture, improvisation, chord progressions and melody through practical exploration of traditional  12  bar blues.

• Balinese Gamelan 

In this unit, students will learn and perform basic Balinese Gamelan music using an authentic Gamelan made especially for UWCSEA East. Through the unit they will develop an understanding of this unique musical tradition and develop specific skills and techniques on the instruments themselves. The music will be placed in context and students will be encouraged to draw links towards the Bali Bridges GC and use music as a way to connect with people from different parts of the world.

• Electronic Music 

In this unit, students will explore the connections between musical elements and electronic tools for creating music. They will develop a range of skills in manipulating sound using GarageBand software. The final product will be a composition and performance.

• Social Issues Songwriting 

This unit focuses on the role of music in social awareness. Students will develop knowledge and understanding relating to how music can be used to inform opinion, encourage action, tell important stories and create awareness. Students will learn to construct and manipulate major and minor chords, create basic chord progressions, create melody and lyrics and perform in a small ensemble. The final product of this unit will be an original song that raises awareness about a social issue connected to a Global Concern.

• Community Music Making

In this unit students will develop their sense of rhythm and ensemble through detailed study of the contextual and practical elements of this musical form through performance in the music of Samba and Zimbabwean Marimbas.  Knowledge and understanding of a range of percussion techniques and rhythmic tools, as well as the musical roles and contexts within communities, will be central in the unit.

• Music for Film 

In this unit students will compose music for film clips or short films. They will apply a range of tools, including computers, music composition software and MIDI instruments to create the pieces. Through this practical project, students will develop an awareness of how the musical elements can be applied to complement a story or create a mood in a scene.

• Music and Conflict 

This unit focuses on the role of music in conflicts around the world. Students will develop knowledge and understanding relating to how music can be used to inform opinion, encourage action, tell important stories or create awareness of political and social issues. Students will also learn about how music can in itself be the cause of conflict. Discussion, research and investigation will be central to the unit, along with a chance to compose and perform music relevant to the topic.

• Music Production 

This unit is an intensive review and consolidation of the musical skills, concepts and knowledge studied in the Middle School Music Program. This prepares students for the transition from Middle School to High School Music and celebrates musical accomplishments within Middle School Music. A greater focus is given to individual composition and performance as well as autonomous musicianship.