Music Curriculum

The Music Curriculum

Key Stage 3

Our policy is to encourage "Music for all". In Years 7-9, we aim to develop the core skills of Listening and Appraising, Performing and Composing, through different activities in a variety of exciting styles.

Girls are given the opportunity to try out instruments and develop their interpretative as well as their creative abilities, with plenty of opportunities for group music making, in addition to extending individual strengths and skills.

Year 7 Topics include Elements of Music, Structure, Timbre and Description, Historical and Social Contexts, Genres and Terms and Signs

Year 8 Topics include Forms and Devices, Harmonic Structures, Programme Music, Soundscapes, Classical Genres, World Music

Year 9 Topics include Jazz, Mood music and the Overture, Musical Comparisons, Music and the Media, New sounds and colours in music.

Key Stage 4 - GCSE Years 10 & 11

At GCSE level, we explore a wide range of musical styles and structures, divided into different areas of study. These are approached through listening, which is tested in an end of course paper and the activities of performing and composing, which are controlled assessments. Candidates submit recordings of solo and ensemble performances and also complete two compositions or arrangements.

There are set works from the following areas of study:

• Western Classical Music 1600-1899
• Music in the Twentieth Century
• Popular Music in Context
• World Music

Students find this a very satisfying course of study, where they are able to use their practical musicianship in performing and composing, as well as developing their intellectual skills.

Key Stage 5 -AS/A Level Years 12 & 13

Studying Music at AS and A Level is ideal for anyone who has a keen interest in performing, creating and listening to different styles of music. It broadens musical experience and deepens understanding of both live and recorded music. It also gives an opportunity for recognition of good performance levels and is a highly engaging course of study.

As well as covering musical skills, the course enables the development of key skills, including communication, improvising, learning and performance, IT, problem-solving and working with others.

Music students work in a variety of activities in lessons, developing a wide range of skills from analytical procedures and logic, to essay-writing, the development of historical perspective and creative activity in composing and performing.

To obtain an AS in music, you will need to complete 3 units.

Unit 1 Performing (Internal assessment and external moderation)
Perform as a soloist or part of an ensemble – any instrument or voice.

Unit 2 Composing (Externally assessed)
One composition, with CD sleeve notes from a choice of four briefs, completed under controlled conditions.

Unit 3 Developing Musical Understanding (2 hour paper, externally assessed)
Listening and written paper on pieces from 2 areas of study, involving instrumental and vocal music of different styles.

To obtain an A Level in Music, you need to complete a further 3 Units.

Unit 4 Extended Performance (Internal assessment and external moderation)
Perform as a soloist or as part of an ensemble in a 12-15 minute recital.

Unit 5 Composition and Technical Study (External assessment)
2 compositions and/or technical exercises to be completed in controlled conditions.

Unit 6 Further Musical Understanding (2 hour paper, externally assessed)
Listening and written paper on pieces from 2 areas of study, involving instrumental music and applied music, such as music for Film and Television, Dance and Theatre.