<
Skip to content ↓

Music

Welcome to the Music Department

"If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music."  - Albert Einstein

Head of Department:

Mr Appleman
e-mail: sappleman3.310@parkhighstanmore.org.uk

Introduction

Music is a unique form of communication that can change the way pupils feel, think and act. Music forms part of an individualʼs identity and positive interaction with music can develop pupilsʼ competence as learners and increase their self-esteem. Music

brings together intellect and feeling and enables personal expression, reflection and emotional development. As an integral part of culture, past and present, music helps pupils understand themselves, relate to others and develop their cultural understanding, forging important links between home, school and the wider world. Music education encourages active involvement in different forms of music-making, both individual and communal, helping to develop a sense of group identity and togetherness. Music can influence pupilsʼ development in and out of school by fostering personal development and maturity, creating a sense of achievement and self-worth, and increasing pupilsʼ ability to work with others in a group context.

Music learning develops pupilsʼ critical skills: their ability to listen, to appreciate a wide variety of music, and to make judgements about musical quality. It also increases self-discipline, creativity, aesthetic sensitivity and fulfilment.

Key Stage 3

Music is a creative subject and KS3 music gives the students an opportunity to develop skills such as performing, composing and appraising. Students will learn how to be independently creative, but also how to work effectively within a group.

Year 7

Students will start their musical journey with an introduction to music through exploring the Elements of Music, singing and the use of voice. They will create a short composition by experimenting with their voice which they will then perform. Following this, students will learn to read standard musical notation which will give Year 7s the necessary knowledge to enable them to develop keyboard skills. Further exploration of the Elements of Music through Renaissance and Baroque music will then be applied to music technology and the use of Logic. Ensemble skills will be developed throughout.

Autumn Spring Summer

Elements of Music

Keyboard Skills

Baroque Music

Keyboard Music

Renaissance Music

Logic Music Technology

Knowledge Organisers:

You have not allowed cookies and this content may contain cookies.

If you would like to view this content please

KS3 Assessment:

Home learning is allocated on a weekly basis by each department. It may be an isolated piece of work, a project, research or an alternative task which challenges the students to solidify their knowledge and / or extend it. Performance and composition in lesson.

In the Summer Term, each student will sit a formal, internal exam which will consist of all elements taught throughout the course. Appropriate preparation in the form of revision should be taken seriously with sufficient planning and organisation to ensure each student fulfils their potential.

Year 8

Year 8 begins by re-enforcing core skills learnt in Year 7 and then a composition project exploring Variation Form and Remix.  Keyboard skills will be revisited from Year 7 extending students’ keyboard skills and musical understanding. This is followed by an in-depth look at conventions in film music, introducing Logic Pro, a professional-grade music technology suite, while learning about film music conventions. Students will use this knowledge by composing a piece of music to accompany a film scene.

Autumn Spring Summer

Core Music Skills

Caribbean Music

Film Music

Variation Form/Remix

 

Logic Music Technology

Knowledge Organisers:

You have not allowed cookies and this content may contain cookies.

If you would like to view this content please

KS3 Assessment:

Home learning is allocated on a weekly basis by each department. It may be an isolated piece of work, a project, research or an alternative task which challenges the students to solidify their knowledge and / or extend it. Performance and composition in lesson.

In the Summer Term, each student will sit a formal, internal exam which will consist of all elements taught throughout the course.  Appropriate preparation in the form of revision should be taken seriously with sufficient planning and organisation to ensure each student fulfils their potential.

Year 9

Year 9 begins by learning about the development of pop music, with a focus on Blues.  Students will learn to perform melodic and accompanying conventions of the style as well as opportunities for improvisation and to perform as a group.  Researching different influential bands, students will learn how to play different pieces of popular music, developing further their instrumental skills, leading to composing their own song.  This will lead to a further performance project based on Caribbean Music combining performance, composition and ensemble skills learnt through Key Stage 3.

Autumn Spring Summer

Blues Music

Song-Writing

Caribbean Music

KS3 Assessment:

Home learning is allocated on a weekly basis by each department. It may be an isolated piece of work, a project, research or an alternative task which challenges the students to solidify their knowledge and / or extend it. Performance and composition in lesson.

In the Summer Term, each student will sit a formal, internal Listening and analysis exam paper, which will consist of all elements taught throughout the course. Appropriate preparation in the form of revision should be taken seriously with sufficient planning and organisation to ensure each student fulfils their potential.

Key Stage 4

Year 10

KS4 Assessment:

All students who follow this course will be given home learning weekly. Music First is used to support learning and will often be used for home learning. Wider reading is always useful either from the websites offered, the text book or as directed by their classroom teacher

GCSE Music 60% of the assessment is through Non-Examined Assessments, which consists of two compositions and two performances, one solo and one an ensemble. One composition and the solo performance should be completed by the end of the summer term in Year 10.

In the Summer Term, each student will sit a formal, internal exam which will consist of all elements taught throughout the course worth 40%. Appropriate preparation in the form of revision should be taken seriously with sufficient planning and organisation to ensure each student fulfils their potential.

Year 11

KS4 Assessment:

All students who follow this course will be given home learning weekly. Music First is used to support learning and will often be used for home learning. Wider reading is always useful either from the websites offered, the text book or as directed by their classroom teacher

GCSE Music 60% of the assessment is through coursework which consists of two compositions and two performances, one solo and one an ensemble. One composition will be a set brief given in September of year 11. Eduqas will give a choice of 4 briefs and students must choose one to compose to.

In the Summer Term, each student will sit the final appraising exam which will consist of all elements taught throughout the course worth 40%. Appropriate preparation in the form of revision should be taken seriously with sufficient planning and organisation to ensure each student fulfils their potential.

Examination Board :

Eduqas

Course Specification:

WJEC GCSE in Music 601/8290/8

Qualification obtained:

GCSE Music

Additional Information

Instrumental & Vocal lesson form

If the Form does not appear below please click here

Instrumental & Vocal Lessons

Instrumental & vocal lessons' agreement September 2024

Instrument:*
What level or grade are they*
How will you be paying for your lessons*
Please select one of the following*

Parent/ carer agreement:


If you give your email address you will receive a copy of your form submissions for your records.

 

Useful Reading Material

WJEC/Eduqas GCSE Music written by Jan Richards

Grade 1 Theory in Practice ABRSM

WJEC/Edeqas GCSE Music Revision Guide By Jan Richards

WJEC/Eduqas GCSE Music Revision Guide (Syllabus 2016 onwards) Rhinegold

Step up to GCSE Music by Paul Terry