Music

Music

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.

In 2021 the Music Department was awarded the Music Mark certificate ‘ In recognition of a commitment to providing a high-quality music education for all children and young people’  

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