Music
The intention of our Music curriculum is:
Aristotle once said “Music has the power of producing a certain effect on the moral character of the soul, and if it has the power to do this, it is clear that the young must be directed to music and must be educated in it.”
Several studies have found that listening to music and singing together can directly impact neuro-chemicals in the brain, many of which play a role in closeness and connection. Furthermore, singing is meant to make people 40% happier. From improved reading skills, attendance, concentration skills to securing successful communication skills and a passion for creativity, music education opens up a multitude of academic avenues for young learners.
The creative industries are growing faster than any other sector in the UK. Moreover, the UK music industry offers an array of job opportunities for those with passion, talent, tenacity and drive. Year-on-year the sector continues to grow – the latest music industry figures suggest it employed around 142,208 people and generated £4.4billion for the UK economy.
Lastly, music can encourage pupils to work together both socially and musically, as they have a common understanding and interest. Depending on the projects covered pupils can also explore other musical genres linked to current and traditional World cultures.
Our Music curriculum is implemented by:
Through clearly structured progressive projects including listening, appraising, performing and composing tasks. Year 7 – Rhythm, The Pentatonic Scale, A Christmas Song Performance, Folk Music, The Earth (composition), The Four Chord Song and Composing a Character Motif.
Year 8 – Linked to ‘Chicken Run’ – ‘The Wanderer’, The Blues and Film Music
Year 9 – Chords into Jazz, From Transylvania to the Balkans, Polyrhythms into Minimalism, Improvisation and Organisation, Music for Special Occasions, Making Arrangements. Pupils will also need to be having regular music tuition and learn keywords/signs and symbols on a regular basis.
To allow pupils to gain a broad experience of music from the music they already listen to and may experience every day to styles and pieces they may never know about unless they are exposed to them during their schooling. Also, to try to build their skills and experiences from Year 7 – 11.
The impact of our Music Curriculum is:
To engage pupils in musical activities which should develop their curiosity in the Art Form as well as a degree of familiarity of basic music signs, symbols and language.
Pupils will have the opportunity to gain experience of and confidence in some familiar but also some unfamiliar genres. Furthermore, they will hopefully have had their experiences broadened and their level of music appreciation questioned and then developed. Music requires many skills other than just performing skills as it encourages ‘hard-thinking’, teamwork, co-operation, discussion, negotiation, creative thinking and inter-personal skills, visual skills, oral skills, aural skills and physical dexterity.
Key Stage 4 Assessment
GCSE Exam Board: Edexcel Music GCSE
GCSE Assessment:
At the end of Year 11 current pupils will complete a 1 hour 45 minute written exam (based mainly on 8 Set Works) which equals 40% of the overall level alongside recording at least 4 minutes worth of solo / group performing to gain 30% of the marks and two compositions (one free choice and the other based on a brief set by Edexcel) to achieve the final 30% of the marks.
Student Comments
“We have lots of opportunities to perform therefore it is much easier to gain a higher level and make progress if you have regular instrumental lessons, with a specialist teacher.”
“You need to be prepared to learn how to read and write music, and you will have to take notes on lots of different styles of music.”
“There is more computer work than I expected – notating and developing compositions using Sibelius Software.”
GCSE Specification
Click to view GCSE specification- Music
Year Guides – Curriculum Content
Year 7 Music Curriculum Content 23-24
Year 8 Music Curriculum Content 23-24
Year 9 Music Curriculum Content 23-24.docx
Year 10 Music Curriculum Content 23-24