Music

Welcome to the Somervale School Music Department

At Somervale School, we provide a dynamic and engaging music curriculum designed to foster creativity, skill development, and a deep appreciation for music. Our curriculum spans Key Stages 3 and 4 with opportunity for further study at A Level, offering students the opportunity to explore music from diverse perspectives, build technical expertise, and develop both individual and collaborative performance skills.

Key Stage 3 Curriculum Overview

In Key Stage 3, the music curriculum focuses on building foundational knowledge of musical elements, concepts, and skills. Students are introduced to various musical genres from around the world, while also developing practical skills through performance. Our progressive keyboard curriculum ensures that every student has the opportunity to learn and refine performance techniques. Composition is encouraged, with students creating original music inspired by different genres. Additionally, music technology is integrated throughout the curriculum, enabling students to experiment with production and mixing.

In Year 7, students explore the four core elements of music: performing, composing, listening, and appraising. Over the course of the year, students engage with six exciting topics:

Term One: Introduction to music

Term Two: What makes a good melody?

Term Three: Rhythms of the world

Term Four: Baroque music

Term Five: Musical Theatre

Term Six: Form and Structure

Year 8 continues the development of the core elements with a focus on musical patterns, styles, and history. Topics include:

Term One: Ostinato (repeating musical patterns)

Term Two: Music of Black Origin 1: The Blues

Term Three: Music of Black Origin 2: Ragtime

Term Four: Music for Special Occasions

Term Five: Classical Music

Term Six: Introduction to Popular Music

In Year 9, students build on their knowledge of performance, composition, and listening skills with an emphasis on music history and technology. Topics covered are:

Term One: Film Music

Term Two: Music Technology

Term Three: Pop History: 1960s

Term Four: Pop History: 1970s

Term Five: Pop History: 1980s

Term Six: Ensemble and Solo Performance Skills

As students enter Key Stage 4, the curriculum shifts toward more specialized study as they prepare for their GCSE exams. Students receive six lessons per fortnight, where the focus is on performance, composition, and exam preparation. In Year 10, students begin coursework for their GCSE, which includes:

• One solo performance

• One ensemble performance

• One free composition (in any style)

• One composition based on a set brief from the exam board in Year 11

The listening exam is based on four key areas of study:

• The Concerto Through Time (1600-1900)

• Rhythms of the World (including Samba, Calypso, Indian, and African music)

• Music for Media (film and game scores)

• Conventions of Pop (Rock 'n' Roll, Rock Anthems, Britpop, Singer-Songwriters)

In Year 11, students continue to refine their performance and composition skills. The minimum total performance time is 4 minutes, and the minimum composition time is 3 minutes. Alongside coursework, students revise key areas of study in preparation for their final exam.

We are committed to helping students develop a lifelong love for music, while also providing the skills and knowledge necessary for further study or a career in the field. If you have any questions about our Languages curriculum, please feel free to contact me at ckehoe@somervaleschool.com