Music Curriculum

Intent

Through Music we aim to engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians. We look to produce capable, independent, creative, sensitive and analytical musicians who are proud to share their skills with others. Ultimately, we aim to foster within pupils both practical and academic mind-sets which allows them to thrive within a challenging curriculum and to draw out their own passions to support their progress in Music.

Aims for Key Stage 3

Perform confidently, musically, fluently and with accuracy and expression on a variety of instruments including the voice;

Create and compose music on their own and with others using a range of musical structures, styles, genres and traditions;

Listen with increasing discrimination to a wide range of music, and begin to develop an understanding of the music that they perform and to which they listen.

Evaluate the effectiveness of music written for particular contexts with an ever-increasing musical vocabulary. 

Engage with musical opportunities outside of curriculum lessons, whether that be through performing or as an audience member.

Each year, pupils gain experiences of a wide range of musical genres, styles and instruments. Pupils develop their listening and analytical skills, as well as their ability to perform popular pieces of music on range of instruments. Pupils are also given the opportunity to compose their own pieces of music in each year group.

Pupils study music for one hour per week in mixed ability groups.

Year 7

Introduction to practical musicianship

Basic performance skills – keyboards and singing

Film Music

Indonesian Music

Brazilian Samba

British Folk Music

Year 8

African Drumming

Performance Skills – Ukulele, Guitar and Bass

Musical structures

The Blues

Film Scores and Cinematic Music

3 and 4 Chord Songs

Year 9

Writing Melodies using chords

Popular Music - Hooks and Riffs

Soundtracks – Compositional techniques

Musical Fusions

Computer Game Music

Songwriting and Performance

Aims for Key Stage 4

Engage actively in the process of music study, broadening musical experiences and interests as well as building knowledge, understanding and skills needed to communicate effectively as musicians;

Develop performing skills individually and in groups to communicate musically with fluency and control of the resources used;

Demonstrate a more in-depth understanding of standard and non-standard musical notation in order to perform and record with increasing accuracy.

Compose effectively in a variety of styles and genres, using available music technology creatively and efficiently;

Analyse and evaluate music aurally and from notation, recognising typical musical features of a variety of contrasting genres, styles, and traditions of music whilst developing an awareness of musical chronology.

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• GCSE Music (EDUQAS) offered as an option subject in Years 10 and 11 and is studied for 3 hours a week. Covering the following units:
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• Component 1: Performing. Pupils perform on an instrument of their choosing for a total of four minutes, comprised of solo and ensemble performances. This is internally marked by Mrs Watson and moderated externally. (30% of grade)
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• Component 2: Composing. Pupils make use of music technology to compose two different compositions, one of which is in response to a brief set by the exam board. These compositions will last a total of 3 minutes and are internally marked. (30% of grade)
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• Component 3: Appraising. In exam conditions, pupils complete a written paper in response to instrumental music from 1700 – 1820; Vocal Music; Music for Stage and Screen and Fusions. The exam is 1hou r and 45 minutes, with six questions on the eight pieces of music, one rhythm exercise and one question on an unfamiliar piece of music. This is followed by an extended appraisal question.