Year Group Information

Music

Who are we?

Head of Department – Mr J Turner

Teachers – Miss M Davidson, Miss C Reason

Curriculum Intent

We think and act as musicians.

We explore the music we love while discovering the links between other musical genres and culture.

We showcase our music to each other and the wider community.

Our curriculum is built upon the skills and knowledge found in composing, listening and performing. These include resilience, team-work and self-reflection.

Everyone has the opportunity to learn an instrument and use it within the classroom.

We expose students to different genres, cultures and periods to aid in developing a broader appreciation of all music.

Curriculum Map

Curriculum Map

Click here to view the department curriculum map.

What do we do?

Key stage 3 Music follows the key elements of performing, composing and evaluating music as outlined in the national curriculum. Year 7 students work on projects which develop singing, composing and performing skills, using percussion instruments, guitars and keyboards.  Students learn how to identify different instruments and how to analyse music using subject specific language.

During year 8, students continue to develop their musical composition, listening and performance skills and complete two projects, for example focussing on pentatonic music and space. Students also develop their knowledge and skills based around a film music topic. Students are encouraged to choose their own instrument, including voice, and form their own bands to perform their own music.

In year 9, students learn about jazz and blues, with particular emphasis on its origins, evolving out of the abolition of slavery in the USA.  Students have independent learning throughout and can choose between keyboard, guitar, drums and voice to develop their performance and composition skills.

At Key Stage 4 students currently study BTEC music First Award as one of their options subjects. BTEC music comprises of 4 units designed to help give students an insight into working in the music industry. The units studied are: The Music Industry; Introduction to Music Performance; Introduction to Music Composition; and Managing a Music Product, wherein students create their own album.

From 2020, Key stage 4 music students will study GCSE Music as one of their option subjects.  GCSE music comprises of two performances, two compositions and a final listening exam in Year 11.  60% of the GCSE is coursework, with 40% being exam based.

A day in the life…

During lessons, students can choose which instrument they would like to play, who they work with in a group and in some cases can choose the piece they perform or compose.  This gives the students independent learning skills which motivate them through their enjoyment of the subject.

What career?

The music industry is part of the creative and cultural industries, represented by the Creative and Cultural Skills Sector Skills Council, which also includes craft; cultural heritage; literature; design; performing arts; and visual arts. The creative and cultural industries currently employ over half a million people.

The music industry includes trade associations, businesses and employers in recording/labels companies; music publishers; musical instruments; audio production and retail; live events and promotion; specialist music retailers; not‐for‐profit music organisation; as well as music education and training providers.

Key facts:

There are over 100,000 people working in the music industry within the wider creative and cultural sector, of which:

  • 50,780 work in live performance
  • 21,930 in production, retail and distribution of musical instrument /audio equipment
  • 15,130 in retail and distribution of recordings
  • 10,190 in recording
  • 2,890 in composition of musical works and music publishing
  • 1,300 in promotion, management and agency related activities

The music industry contributes £4.2 billion to the UK economy.

Jobs in the industry include: agent, artistic director, classical musician, composer, DJ, lighting technician, songwriter, manager, music and audio manufacturer, music conductor, music teacher, performer, publicity and promotions, singer, sound engineer.

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Consistency

For Key stage 4 students, revision guides have been created by the department and are provided free of charge to every student.

Students are asked how they can improve their own work, as well as the work of others as part of their development as musicians.

We develop and build on prior knowledge through recap and application in a wide variety of genres.

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Closing the Gaps

Students are exposed to a wide variety of music, some of which they will have never experienced before, thus broadening their horizons and encouraging all students to oush themselves out of their comfort zone.

Students have access to extra-curricular music provision either through clubs or music lessons with peripatetic teachers from Musica, provided free of charge.

KS4 students are given the opportunity to attend after school revision sessions every night on the run up to exams, tailored to their individual needs.

(NEW for 2019/20) KS4 students have access to an individual online class notebook (part of the office 365 package) where their work is stored, along with differentiated resources being distributed to facilitate learning at any level of attainment.

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Community

We work with our trust partners to enable to provision of free Musica instrumental lessons for as many students as we can.

We use extra-curricular provision to create opportunities to perform to the external community such as: talent shows, school musicals.

We feature our hard-working students work through the school social media and at award’s evening to showcase talent and hard work.