Music

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Our aims

Welcome to the Music Department

In the music department, we believe that every young person should have the opportunity to explore and develop their musical potential, which is mirrored in the whole school's vision of “Every Child, Every Chance, Every Class, Every Day”.

This is why our KS3 and KS4 curriculum is designed to develop core skills, while also exploring a variety of different musical genres, styles and backgrounds. Music has the ability to develop a wide range of skills beyond the surface level, which is why we aim to provide a range of opportunities for students to engage with music both in and out of the classroom.

Departmental staff

  • Mr A Pearson (Head of Department)
  • Mrs E Byrne

Curriculum

In years 8-10, students develop foundational skills while also exploring a range of differing music genres, that each develop a combination of the three primary musical skills: performance, composition and theoretical appraisal. These modules are specifically designed to provide students with a wide range of musical skills, provide performance opportunities, develop compositional competence and prepare them for the GCSE course.

Year 8:

Rhythm and Pulse, Pitch and Melody, Riffs and Hooks, Chords and Harmony, Folk traditions.

Year 9:

Ukulele Era’s, Blues, Reggae, EDM, Songwriting.

Year 10:

Film Music, Rap and Hip-Hop, Irish Traditional Music, Popular Music, Performance Development.

At GCSE level, students continue to develop the three core strands of musical understanding: Performance and appraising (35%), Composition (30%) and Listening/Appraising (35%).

Performance and Appraising (35%)

You will complete a solo performance and an ensemble performance (as part of a group).

In both, you will

● Demonstrate technical control and accuracy.

● Consider interpretation and communication of the composer’s intentions with an appropriate style.

● Demonstrate understanding and apply stylistic features appropriate to the chosen programme.

Appraising:

You will learn to discuss and appraise your own work and the work of others.

Composition (30%)

You will compose two original pieces of music; one is free choice and one is in response to a stimulus

You will:

● Create and develop musical ideas.

● Understand, control and use musical resources effectively.

● Make consistent and effective use of the following within a chosen style or genre: Structure, Harmony, Texture, Rhythm, Timbre and Music technology.

Listening and Appraising (35%)

You will build on the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of music gained through Components 1 and 2.

You will study four compulsory Areas of Study:

● Western Classical Music 1600–1910

● Film Music

● Musical Traditions of Ireland

● Popular Music 1980–present day

Within each area you will study set works :

You will develop your understanding of the relationship between music and its contexts and you will listen to and appraise familiar and unfamiliar music by a range of composers.

Extra-Curricular

As well as various performing opportunities throughout the school year, the music department additionally runs a number of extra-curricular clubs for students to access, that aim to include and cater to a wide range of musical abilities and interests.