The music department is part of the Arts and Technologies Faculty. Music is taught as a compulsory subject as part of the National Curriculum at Key Stage 3. In Key Stage 3 students have opportunities to compose, perform, listen and appraise, and learn about the elements of music.
At Key Stage 4 music is an option at GCSE level or BTEC Award, depending upon options pathways.
All students can become involved with the school choir. We also offer the school orchestra for instrumentalists. The department has concerts during the year enabling students to showcase their work.
Listen to as diverse a range of music as possible with an open mind. Music should be discussed in terms of musical elements rather than just liked or disliked.
Think about taking up instrumental lessons.
Students follow the AQA GCSE Music specification.
The AQA GCSE music course promotes students' cultural development and involvement in music as performers, composers and listeners through a wide range of music reflecting the richness of our cultural heritage. The course builds on areas of work studied at Key Stage 3 and is a natural progression for all students.
Rhythm and Metre; Harmony and Tonality; Texture and Melody; Timbre and Dynamics; Structure and Form.
Music from the Western Classical Tradition 1650-1910. Core study is a piece by Haydn – 'The Clock' Mvt. 2 of his Symphony 101, in D major.
Students will learn how to write staff notation.
Students need to perform TWO pieces, ONE solo and ONE ensemble (group) piece of their choice. The marks are submitted to the board for moderation by AQA. Pieces combined time is 4 to 7 minutes.
Students must compose TWO pieces, combined time of 3 to 4½ minutes, ONE piece is free choice and ONE to a set brief.
Students who began Year 10 in September 2018, follow the Pearson BTEC First Award in Music specification.
The qualification gives students a practical understanding of the skills and knowledge needed for a career in the music industry. Students will be provided with insight into the various employment opportunities available in the sector, and have the opportunity to develop fundamental skills involved in music production. Successful candidates may use the BTEC Award as a route towards employment or further studies.
There are two core units: The Music Industry and Managing a Music Product. Students research the music industry in detail, from the marketing and promotion side of concerts, through to risk assessments and the programmes. Students also plan, develop and deliver a musical product such as a CD or concert. Time will be spent on performance, as well as research.
Most of the work is assessed by the centre, through projects. There is an exam for 'The Music Industry' Unit, this is a paper based exam in the May or January.
Students who began Year 9 in September 2018, will follow the Pearson BTEC Tech Award 2017 in Music specification.
The new BTEC specification for this course will start in September 2017.
the music industry – what are the job roles and organisations?
The information provided on this page gives a broad outline of the expected content in the BTEC Tech Award 2017 in Music.
The qualification will give students a practical understanding of the skills and knowledge needed for a career in the music industry. Students will be provided with insight into the various employment opportunities available in the sector, and have the opportunity to develop fundamental skills involved in music production. Successful candidates may use the BTEC Tech Award as a route towards employment or further studies.
There are two core units: The Music Industry and Managing a Music Product. Students will research the music industry in detail, from the marketing and promotion side of concerts, through to risk assessments and the programmes. Students will also plan, develop and deliver a musical product such as a CD or concert. Time will be spent on performance, as well as research.
Students follow the Edexcel A Level Music Technology specification.
The course aims to teach students how to produce a high quality multi-track recording of a known pop song using a variety of techniques and effects. Students will also sequence material using a computer and appropriate software and develop the skills to arrange a piece of music.