The Music Department provides a range of musical experiences through which pupils are able to develop their musical skills and their understanding of music, whilst exploring a range of musical styles and traditions. As well as the classroom curriculum there is a wide variety of extra-curricular opportunities: Choir, Vocal harmony, Singformers, Flute ensemble, Rock Bands, Orchestra and Jazz Band. Pupils can undertake individual instrumental lessons on an instrument of their choice including voice, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, clarinet, saxophone, flute, piano, violin classical and electric guitar. The department go on tour every other year and have recently performed in Austria, Italy Dublin and the Netherlands. All the ensembles perform in school, the local community and in national competitions and events.
Music Mark is the UK Association for Music Education; they champion and support access to music for all children and young people.
Examples of Year Nine independent Work Using Soundtrap
Livvy Black
Libby Pritchard
Fin Rigg
Joe Larkin
Catherine Cavill
The Music curriculum in all Key Stages incorporates a balance of performing, composing, listening and appraising skills.
Key Stage 3
Pupils in years 7-9 have 2 lessons per fortnight and each half term will complete either a performance task or an arranging/composing task
· Year 7 topics include An introduction to Musescore; Beethoven and Air on a G String; The Blues and an introduction to sequencing using Dance Ejay software
· Year 8 topics include a performance of Für Elise; The History of Rock and Roll and a performance of Hound Dog; Video Game Music and Bandlab sequencing software.
· Year 9 topics include and introduction to Soundtrap software; Film Music; Solo performance skills and Reggae.
Pupils are encouraged in particular to develop their keyboard and compositional skills and assessments are carried out at the end of each unit of work.
Key Stage 4 – Eduqas GCSE Music
Component 1: Performing (30%)
- Perform a minimum of 2 pieces one of which must be as part of a group.
- Recorded and assessed by your teachers and moderated by examiners (not as an exam so you can re-record until you have your best performances)
Component 2: Composing (30%)
- Compose 2 pieces, one in a style of your choice and one in a style set by the exam board in Year 11
- Assessed by class teachers and moderated by examiners
Component 3: Appraising (40% of qualification)
- Externally assessed listening and appraising examination
- Based on the four areas of study
- Musical Forms and Devices
- Music for Ensemble
- Film Music
- Popular Music
- Includes two prepared extracts set by WJEC
Key Stage 5 – Eduqas A level Music
Component 1:
A level Performing
Option A (35%) 108 marks |
A level Performing
Option B (25%) 72 marks |
Standard equivalent to grade 6 | Standard equivalent to grade 6 |
Minimum of 10 minutes | Minimum of 6 minutes |
Minimum of three pieces | Minimum of two pieces |
One piece must link to an area of study
One piece must link to a second different area of study |
One piece must link to an area of study |
One piece must be a solo and all other pieces can be either solo and/or ensemble | Pieces can be solo and/or ensemble |
Component 2:
A level Composing
Option A (25%) 72 marks |
A level Composing
Option B (35%) 108 marks |
Two compositions | Three compositions |
Minimum of 4 minutes | Minimum of 8 minutes |
One composition to a brief set by WJEC using the techniques and conventions of the Western Classical Tradition | One composition to a brief set by WJEC using the techniques and conventions of the Western Classical Tradition |
One free composition for which the learner sets their own brief | One free composition for which the learner sets their own brief |
One composition linked to a second different area of study for which the learners sets their own brief |
Component 3
Appraising Paper (40%)
A level Areas of Study |
The development of the symphony (1750-1900) |
4 movements of the same symphony plus general knowledge of second symphony |
One from:
• Rock and Pop (1960-2000) • Musical Theatre (6 composers) • Jazz (1920-1960) |
One from
• Into the Twentieth century • Into the Twenty-First century |