Curriculum

Music

| Education | Curriculum | Music
Our Music curriculum aims to expose students to a wide range of musical genre. We aim to offer all students the opportunity to perform, compose and listen to a wide range of musical influences. Our curriculum also aims to develop vocal and/or instrumental fluency, accuracy and expressiveness. We aspire for students to understand musical structures, styles, genres and traditions, identifying the expressive use of musical dimensions. We aim to use technology to allow students to appreciate and understand a wide range of musical contexts and styles.
What will I study at Key Stage 3?

In Year 7, pupils focus on building their skills in performing, composition, listening and singing. The intent is for students to develop a clear understanding of key musical elements, across a variety of musical styles and genres. This includes:

  • Pulse and Rhythms – Body percussion performance
  • Basic Keyboard Skills
  • Instruments of the Orchestra – Listening skills
  • Minimalism – Compositions inspired by the work of Steve Reich
  • Ukuleles
  • Band Project

In Year 8, pupils focus on developing their skills in performing, composition, listening and singing. The intent is for students to develop further understanding of key musical elements, whilst looking at musical styles and genres from different cultures. This includes:

  •  Western African Drumming
  • Baroque Music – Pachelbel’s Canon
  • Blues – Performance and composition
  • Music for TV Adverts – composition to brief
  • Song writing

In Year 9, pupils focus on extending their skills in performance, composition, listening and singing. The intent is for students to become proficient using key musical elements, whilst looking at contemporary musical styles and genres. This includes:

  •  Samba – Ensemble performance and compositions using Samba instruments
  • Fusions
  • Britpop
  • Protest Songs – Composition to brief
What will I study at Key Stage 4?

At Key Stage 4, pupils study the AQA GCSE Syllabus. The GCSE Syllabus will focus on 3 main areas:

  • Listening
  • Performance
  • Composition

The areas of study provide an appropriate focus for students to appraise, develop and demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of musical elements, musical context, and musical language. The four areas of study include:

  1. Western classical tradition 1650–1910
  2. Popular music
  3. Traditional music
  4. Western classical tradition since 1910.

Students must be able to listen attentively to unfamiliar music from a range of styles and genres to identify and accurately describe how musical elements have been used.

Students will be assessed on their ability to perform both as a soloist, but also as part of an ensemble on their preferred instrument. Students must be able to interpret relevant musical elements as appropriate using resources (e.g. microphones) and techniques (e.g. pizzicato) as appropriate to communicate musical ideas with accuracy and expression and interpretation, including phrasing and dynamics appropriate to the style and mood of the music.

Students will also be assessed on their ability to compose their own original pieces of music. Students will learn how to develop musical ideas, including extending and manipulating musical ideas, and compose music that is musically convincing through two compositions. One must be in response to an externally set brief (Composition 1) and the other a free composition (Composition 2).

Compositions can be composed in any style or genre to best reflect the skills, strengths, and interests of the individual students, with both compositions being assessed on the student’s ability to demonstrate:

  • Creative and effective selection and use of musical elements
  • Appropriate selection and use of musical elements (to the compositional intention)
  • Technical and expressive control in the use of musical elements.
Assessment

Students are assessed through regular low stake assessments. Summative assessments also take place throughout the year.

Enrichment Offer

The department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs.  These clubs include a music band, drums and choir.  Students are able to take part in Academy-wide activities designed to increase their engagement and enhance their subject knowledge. Intervention sessions to consolidate prior learning and ensure maximum progress are at the heart of our delivery model.

Useful Resources and Revision Support

https://www.youthmusic.org.uk/opportunitieshttps://www.mfy.org.uk/about/our-work/

https://www.mfy.org.uk/about/our-work/

KS3 Music – BBC Bitesize