Music
Vision
We aim to nurture an understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of participating in, and listening to, music from a breadth of cultures and traditions. Underpinning our exploration of musical knowledge is a focus on developing transferrable skills. We support students to work collaboratively and to listen and respect other people’s opinions. Developing the confidence of our students is a vital part of our curriculum and they are regularly challenged to perform their creative ideas to each other whilst being encouraged to evaluate the success of these performances. We aim to give our students ample opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. All students have the option to learn a musical instrument and participate in a number of performances. Working with our colleagues across the Performing Arts faculty, we aim to give our students the opportunity to watch a number of performances in a variety of performance genres.
YEAR 7
Overview/core aims for the year:
To introduce the key skills of Listening, Performing and Composing and to ensure students gain knowledge of the fundamentals in all these areas to enable them to demonstrate these skills confidently in the future.
Core knowledge to be learnt in Year 7:
- To be able to use their voice confidently, safely and expressively
- Treble clef notation – rhythm and pitch
- Keyboard performance skills
- Use of music technology to compose and arrange music
- Understanding of different genres of music including folk and classical
Year 8
Overview/core aims for the year:
To further develop performance skills through a range of musical genres and to develop creativity through improvising and composing.
Core knowledge to be learnt in Year 8:
- Understand the characteristics of a number of music genres including Blues, Reggae, Calypso, Samba and Programme music.
- To understand the development of classical music and the structures and musical theory which underpins this.
- To be able to compose melodies.
- To know how to use the elements of music to create specific effects
YEAR 9
Overview/core aims for the year:
To explore the relevance of music in the 21st century through practical exploration of modern music and musical techniques.
Core knowledge to be learnt in Year 9:
- To understand the film music and dance music industries and explore some job roles within them.
- How film composers use music to create specific effects in a variety of genres
- To use music technology to create a dance remix
- To understand the role of music in the media, specifically to aid advertising and marketing
- To understand the development of pop music
Year 10
Overview/core aims for the year:
To upskill student’s knowledge and understanding and to complete one composition.
Core knowledge to be learnt in Year 10:
- Vocabulary associated with the elements of music (Melody, Articulation, Dynamics, Texture, Structure, harmony & Tonality, Instruments, Rhythm & Metre and Tempo) and to be able to recognise these musical features when listening to music.
- How to analyse rhythm and melody
- How to construct a chord sequence and melody
- How to develop a melody
YEAR 11
Overview/core aims for the year:
To complete final coursework and to progress towards using more advanced skills and techniques.
Core knowledge to be learnt in Year 11:
- Features of rhythmic music from around the world
- More advanced listening and appraising skills
- More complex techniques to develop compositions