“Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good.”
Ofsted Inspection Nov 2007
>> VLE Moodle Learning Resources - Music
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Music
Course Outline
This is a course designed to extend and develop students’ musical knowledge, skills and understanding through learning to perform, compose, appraise and listen to music. At Key Stage 3, the National Curriculum Programmes of study are delivered through six-week Units of Work that each last half a term. At Key Stage 4, students are offered an opportunity to broaden their musical interests and skills by exploring specific musical genres, styles and traditions through four different Areas of Study.
Course Content
Throughout the course, students participate in a range of musical activities that integrate the core learning activities of performing, composing, appraising and listening to music. At Key Stage 3, students perform on different classroom instruments with increasing skill and control of instrument specific techniques. They are taught to create, explore and develop musical ideas within given styles and traditions. They listen to and analyse music, learning to communicate ideas and feelings about music. They use ICT to create, manipulate and refine sounds. At Key Stage 4, coursework consists of solo and ensemble performances, and composition work chosen from a portfolio of pieces developed throughout the course. Students are encouraged to use music software to produce their composition scores. Students listen to and appraise music from a variety of styles and traditions, learning to identify musical characteristics and conventions and the contexts within which music is created.
Subject Organisation
At both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4, classes are organised in medium-sized, mixed ability groups that facilitate the requirements of teaching and learning a practical subject. The Music Department is well equipped with a range of classroom instruments, including tuned and untuned percussion, keyboards, acoustic and bass/electric guitars, drum kits and computers which run music software. The spacious department accommodation includes practice rooms and ample space for solo and group work.
Beyond The Classroom
The department provides a comprehensive and exciting extra-curricular programme. Pupils are encouraged to participate in the many musical activities that take place every day. These include Junior and Senior Orchestra, Junior Strings and Senior Strings, The Concert Band, Brass Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Junior Choir and Senior Choir. Many pupils particularly enjoy taking part in school performances at concerts, assemblies and Parents Evenings. In addition, the department has an excellent team of peripatetic instrumental staff who provide tuition in music theory, singing, keyboard, strings, woodwind, brass, percussion (drum kit) and electric guitar.
The department collaborates with the Drama Department in the production of school shows and performances in the wider community. At Key Stage 4 students can now opt to take either GCSE Music or a BTEC First Diploma in Performing Arts (equivalent to 4 GCSEs).
Parental Support
Parents can support students’ musical progress through actively encouraging attendance to and their involvement in various musical events. Students who learn a musical instrument, should have access to an instrument to practice on daily. Listening to different styles of recorded music and watching musical videos and DVDs, can also contribute to musical appreciation.
Extra Curricular Music
The Music Department provides a wide range of enrichment activities involving students from all year groups. Participation to these groups is open to instrumentalists and vocalists of all abilities, from beginners to advanced performers.
The following groups rehearse on a weekly basis:
The Senior Orchestra, The Junior Orchestra, The Concert Band, The Junior Choir, The Senior Choir, The Chamber Choir, The Wind Ensemble, The Brass Ensemble, Junior Strings, Senior Strings.
In addition, many students organise their own ad-hoc groups including Rock Bands, Jazz Ensembles, guitar groups and so on.
There are currently 11 peripatetic teachers who provide instrumental lessons on a weekly basis to students of all instrumental abilities. The peripatetic staffs are an important part of the department teaching team. Their expertise is invaluable in allowing students the opportunity to develop the following instrumental skills:
Woodwind, Oboe, Bassoon, Brass, French Horn, Singing, Strings, Cello, Guitar, Drum Kit, Keyborard.