Music

Summer Sounds: A Look Back at Music in Years 7, 8 & 9

As the school year draws to a close and we head into the summer holidays, it's a great time to celebrate the creativity and musical growth of our Key Stage 3 students. This year has been filled with rhythm, melody, and imagination, as students across Years 7, 8, and 9 explored different areas of music and developed their practical and listening skills.

Year 7 – Building the Foundations

Year 7 students began their musical journey by getting to grips with the elements of music – learning how pitch, dynamics, tempo, texture and other building blocks come together to shape sound. From there, they moved on to keyboard skills, building their confidence and coordination while playing simple melodies. The year ended on a high note with students creating their own mini compositions, applying everything they’d learned to craft original pieces using classroom instruments and digital tools.

Year 8 – Exploring Genres

Year 8 took a deep dive into two exciting musical styles. First, they discovered the world of video game music, exploring how composers use sound to enhance gameplay and tell a story without words. They then travelled back in time to the early 20th century to study Blues music, learning about its history and structure while trying their hand at composing and performing their own 12-bar blues pieces.

Year 9 – Soundtracking Stories and Beats
 

Year 9 students explored how music can shape emotions and support storytelling through a unit on film music. From dramatic orchestral scores to subtle ambient themes, they learned how sound is used in cinema to heighten the viewer's experience. In the latter part of the year, students turned their attention to pop and EDM (Electronic Dance Music), experimenting with beats, basslines and production techniques to create their own tracks using music technology.

Throughout the year, students have demonstrated curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Whether performing, composing, or listening, they've shown real enthusiasm and made fantastic progress. We can’t wait to see (and hear!) what they’ll achieve next year.

Have a musical summer! 🎵

Author:

Mr Harrison - Teacher of Music