Curriculum

Music

| Education | Curriculum | Music

Why study music?

Music increases self-confidence, creativity and gives pupils a sense of achievement, so that they eventually develop a critical engagement with music allowing them to compose, perform, listen and appraise.

Through music pupils are encouraged to learn an instrument and sing, there is plenty of opportunities to experience different playing and many performance opportunities though out the year. Being able to perform helps to build confidence and identity as well as helping with wellbeing and giving pupils somewhere to channel their creativity. Pupils will master skills needed to perform as part of an ensemble as well as a soloist. Playing as part of an ensemble promotes teamwork, leadership and communication skills.

Though out KS3 pupils will be exposed to a varied amount of music of different genres, this encourages the students to listen to music they wouldn’t usually listen to, and begin to understand and enjoy how different genres have influenced the music they listen to on a regular basis.

The curriculum is designed with progression through motor skills, rules, strategies and tactics and the promotion of healthy participation.

How will I study music?

Pupils study Music through both declarative and procedural knowledge. The curriculum is sequenced to maximise the pupils to know and do more in Music. Progression of knowledge is built over time from simple to complex through a range of composition, performance and listening activities. These are selected for pupils to recall prior knowledge and apply similarities and differences between selected activities.

What will I study at key stage 3?

Pupils will study a wide range of activities in KS3. They will learn the importance music has on improving physical, mental and social well-being, as well as learning the magic within music. We embed fundamental skills such as the elements of music and reading music notation through a variety of activities. Pupils will grow in knowledge and experience of applying skills throughout KS3 and these are great foundations for studying music in KS4

Year 7

In Year 7 we build on the knowledge from primary school by first introducing the Elements of Music through rhythm. We then apply these skills on the keyboard. In the second unit, which is an introduction to keyboard, we focus mainly on popular music. To give our pupils the experience of playing different instruments, we study an introduction to Ukulele, focusing on rock music and seeing the influence pop music has had on rock music over a number of decades. The final unit of the year is Japanese Minimalist Music. This gives the curriculum variety as we look at different cultures and see how music is made outside of the western world. 

Year 8

Year 8 builds upon the knowledge from Year 7. Through keyboard, we introduce music notation and learn some of the history of it and how it has influenced the music we listen to today. Furthermore, we develop the keyboard skills of our students from Year 7. This includes playing more complex pieces as well as introducing sharps and flats and understanding how keyboard melodies and chord progressions are written. Development of ukulele again builds on skills from Year 7; introducing a wider range of chords, power chords and we learn how to write hooks through Hip Hop music. We finish the academic year with a module on Djembe drumming to recall and build on the rhythm knowledge learnt in Year 7. We develop this knowledge by introducing polyrhythms and learning about the culture of the Djembe drum. 

Year 9

In Year 9, students start to explore more genres of music, and this starts with Blues. In this unit there is a band project where pupils can choose an instrument and create a blues band, sticking to the parameters of blues, but also giving it a modern twist. Then our students will study Music Technology through EDM (Electric Dance Music). Students will learn how to create songs on the computer through the programme Sound Trap. Building on the cultural enrichment, students will then study film music and see how music can manipulate feelings and create different moods dependent on the scene. Finally, students will experience Samba, building on the knowledge of rhythm and deepening the cultural experience and being able to appreciate and understand world music.

Every unit consists of performing, composing and listening. We also take time in each unit to sing as a class in order to build confidence, promote communication and teamwork skills and help with the mental and social wellbeing of the pupils.

Enrichment

Music offers many enrichment activities. Including but not limited to; A cappella group, session bands, and a rap club. There are also opportunities for ‘have a go’ style sessions where pupils can come and experience different instruments. The Music department is also available after school for pupils to come and work on their own projects as there is 3 practice rooms, 2 classrooms a band room and a recording studio. 

Careers

A good grade in the BTEC will allow students to progress into higher education or go straight into industry. There is a range of careers as well as further education courses that pupils could go on to study. These include:

  • Professional musician
  • Session Musician
  • Promoter
  • Venue manager
  • Artist manager
  • Music therapist
  • Film music composer
  • Composer
  • Conductor
  • Army musician
  • Music theorist
  • Music journalist
  • Copyright lawyer

Some of the higher education courses pupils could study to get into these careers are:

  • BA(Hons) music Performance/Composition
  • BA(Hons)Music Technology
  • Music Journalism
  • BA(Hons) Music Therapy
  • Masters in Music Education
  • Masters in Music Composition/Performance.

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