Music
Music encompasses Performance, Composition and Listening skills. It is the aim of the Music department to develop all three of these skills in a variety of ways, providing a balanced, exciting curriculum that embraces music from all over the world and also music spanning the last 200 years right up to the present day!
Find out about each Key Stage in Music:
KS3 Music
Pupils in Key Stage 3 learn largely through practical projects, giving them opportunities to develop composition, performing and listening skills. A music concept will regularly be learnt and explored through a practical task. During the three years, from Year 7 to Year 9, pupils will cover a wide variety of different aspects of music understanding. In lessons pupils will be encouraged to build on their own musical creativity, in addition to developing their independent learning skills.
See KS3 Music Learning Journey below.
KS4 Music
Pupils will learn through a balance of practical tasks and study. For example, often a concept is learnt and explored through a practical task. During the course pupils will cover four areas of study:
- Instrumental Music 1700-1820
- Vocal Music
- Music for Stage and Screen
- Fusions (World)
The course is broken up into 3 elements: Composition, Performance and Listening and Appraising. The assessment of the course is mostly coursework based and is a continual process. The course encourages students to develop their understanding and appreciation of a range of different kinds of music.
Studying Music will give students the opportunities to:
- Develop their compositional and arranging skills
- Learn how to use the music technology software GarageBand
- Develop their instrumental skills
- Study music from different times, places and cultures
Below is a breakdown of how the course is assessed and what is required for each component of the course:
30% Composition
Composition of 2 contrasting pieces with a total playing time not exceeding 5 minutes. Written evaluation of composition process and connections with area of study. Internally assessed, externally moderated.
30% Performance
Singing or playing a solo, accompanied or unaccompanied, with technical control, expression and interpretation. Performing a significant individual part which is not doubled, in an ensemble. Internally assessed, externally moderated.
40% Listening and Appraising
Listening paper (June of Year 11) - 1½ hours. Analysing and evaluating music using a musical terminology. Pupils will study eight set works in class across the two years. They will then be asked about this in an exam, and you will need to make comparisons with other pieces of music.
See KS4 Music Learning Journey below.