Music

Key Stage 3

Throughout Key Stage 3 pupils will develop technical skills from two-handed keyboard coordination to understanding the basics of drum kit and guitar playing. They will also develop an understanding of musical eras and styles through the way they use musical elements (eg for Romantic music, Jazz). In addition, they will experiment with how music software assists musicians in the creation of music, for example in adverts and film.

Pupils will gain understanding of traditional music from across the world (West African drumming, Indonesian Gamelan) where we work on understanding ‘what makes a good ensemble?’ through using performing techniques and musical expression as part of a group. They will also use these skills to perform and compose as part of a band.

Alongside these activities pupils explore the significance of music history, both pop and classical, developing practical and writing skills. Pupils will use compositional structures (theme and variations and 12 bar blues) to guide them in shaping their own music with a sense of shape and purpose. This will include understanding and developing the use of related keys to improve awareness of how modulation enhances music.

Key Stage 4

We approach the Edexcel GCSE syllabus by attempting to bring the 8 set works to life by performing parts of them as a means to understand them in further analysis (40%). This focuses on a detailed study of their use of musical elements and how these effectively use or develop certain musical styles or the features of musical eras.

Students are assisted in developing their own enthusiasms in solos and ensemble performance pieces (30%)

The musical experience from all of these areas helps provide inspiration to help with their own creativity.

This results in 2 final compositions for submissions (30%), one of which is based on a choice of ‘briefs’ from the exam board.

Key Stage 5

Through the AQA A level music syllabus we look in musical detail at how various styles have evolved and varied through time with different composers; for example in Baroque Concerto and Romantic Piano music. We are also able to choose some of these areas of study with pupils to help develop their appreciation and enthusiasm; for example Jazz, Music Theatre, Music for Media (music used in film, TV and gaming) and Pop Music. Students are assisted in further developing their own technical abilities in putting together a 10 minute performance recital (35%). As with GCSE, musical experience from all of these areas helps provide inspiration to help with their own creativity. This results in 2 final compositions for submissions (25%), one of which is based on a choice of ‘briefs’ from the exam board. Here pupils need to show they are able to evolve musical ideas within a consistent and well organised genre.