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Home > Curriculum > Expressive Arts > Music

Music

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Members of Staff and Roles/Responsibilities

Mrs H Paris Subject Leader for Music KS3 and KS4
Mrs N Parker Teacher of Music KS3



Music Overview

MMusic is delivered throughout KS3 for one hour per week and can be chosen as an option in KS4 and studied to GCSE level.

Performance, composition and listening are the three key components upon which the schemes of work are based, with a practical emphasis using electronic keyboards, computers, persussion and voices.

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KS3 Structure

All students are base-line tested for keyboard performance and aural ability at the start of Year 7. This will be revisited at the start of Year8 and 9.
All students are taught to use music technology via Yamaha electronic keyboards with built-in multi-track sequencers.
All students will experience live and recorded vocal music.
All students will use computer-technology to aid their independent learning in listening activities and as a composition tool.
All students will have an individual exercise book in which to record their written work, and an individual workbook for their listening tests.
Music staff will keep recorded examples of sampled student performance and composition work, in digital format.

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KS3 Content

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

1. What is Music?
Introducing the elements and keywords

2. Introducing keyboard technology

3. Performance skills

4. Introducing graphic and notation scores

5. Composing skills

6. Western and Gamelan orchestra

7. Descriptive music

8. Vocal skills and listening scores

9. Rhinegold listening tests

1. Latin - American music

2. Vocal scores and skills

3. Bhangra - listening/composing

4. Pentatonic – based music. Performance

5. Modes - Rock music. Performance over composistion

6. Rhinegold listening tests

7. Ternary Form - composing/arranging/performing

1. Vocal scores and skills

2. Whole-tone and Impressionist Music Perfomance and composistion

3. Blues Music Project

4. Blues Perfomance/Composistion

5. Club Mix Music

6. TV and Film themes performance

7. Film Music - sound tracks and composing

8. Rhinegold listening tests

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KS4 Structure

The OCR Syllabus J535 for GCSE Music is followed, with set areas of study and performance / composition components.
The course is 75% practical, the students prepare performances and  compositions which are internally marked and externally moderated, and sit an hour-long listening paper at the end of Year 11 which is  externally marked and worth 25%
There are opportunities to use computer-based composition skills and any acoustic or electronic instrument for performance, or the voice may be used if preferred.
During Year 10 the course is more practically based, and in Year 11 the introduction of written responses to listening work is introduced.

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KS4 Content

Year 10

Year 11

1. Spotlight on 'My Music'
Performance in main area of study
(chosen instrument)

2. Composistion skills linked to main area of study performance.

3. Listening skills - various 'set' areas of study

1. The creative task - improvised composistion ideas from a given structure

2. Further composing in 'set' areas of study.

3. Listening and analysing - exam style questions based on set areas of study

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Additional Information

There are opportunities in KS3 and in KS4 to participate in performance groups and concerts.
There are “showcase” concerts for students to perform live instrumentally or vocally.
There is a College Choir which rehearses weekly throughout the year.
There is a College Orchestra which rehearses weekly.
There are orchestral and instrumental ensembles that meet to rehearse and perform.
Peripatetic tutors teach individuals and small groups in College and at the Arts In Education Centre.
There are vocal performance opportunities within the Expressive Arts annual show

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