Music is a medium of expression and communication. The curriculum at St Edmund’s aims to extend and deepen the students’ understanding through the inter-related skills of performance, composition, listening and appraising. It allows all students to be aware of cultural expressiveness and can also lead to a career in music for those who wish.
Aims
Enjoyment; personal expression, confident participation; development of musical skills and concepts which broaden attitudes to music.
Contents of Subject
Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9)
All stage encompass Performance and Composition, Listening and Appraisal.
1. Performance
Includes vocal and instrumental skills, solo and ensemble work.
2. Composition
Through the elements of the listening programme the students develop skills in creating their own music. This is encouraged and taught both in GRAPHIC-SCORE and STAFF-NOTATION.
3. Listening and Appraising
Exploration of sound through singing and listening to instrumental music. Ability to identify, appraise and analyse towards the end of Year 9. Identification of Time; Tonality’ Rhythms’ Intervals, World music, all instruments of the orchestra and cadences.
Assessment of Lower School Key Stage 3
1. Listening and Appraisal
Assessed by aural tests throughout term using knowledge learnt.
2. Composition
Assessed throughout the year. Based on FORM; IMAGINATION; NOTATION; TIMBRE; MEDIUM.
3. Performance
Assessed throughout the year in ‘real’ circumstances in front of a class audience, with an opportunity to perform in concert as a soloist or in a group.
Music ICT
All students will have the opportunity to develop their skills in Music IT, which forms a part of their weekly music lessons.
Extra Curricular Music
The following groups rehearse weekly for School and Civic Performance.
Junior Band
Jazz Band
Full Wind Band
St Edmunds Junior Choir
Guitar Group
Brass Group
Woodwind Group
Keyboard Club
St Edmunds Senior Choir
String Group
Music Fastrack GCSE Key Stage 4
1. Listening
A. Music from western traditions 1600-1899
B. New directions in Western classical music - 1900 to the present day.
C. Music from popular culture including jazz, pop and folk etc.
D. Non-Western music with particular emphasis on Indian, Gamelan, African and fusions.
All four areas covered over 2 years and commitment is essential. FINAL PAPER MAY/JUNE in Year 11 – 2.5 hours.
2. Composition – Coursework
A minimum of two compositions in different styles. Assessed on EdExcel criteria. Composition must be recorded. Failure to submit course work on time infringes examination regulations.
3. Performances
Ensemble and Solo with public performances through-out the course.
INDIVIDUAL TUITION for any instrument or singing is highly desirable when preparing for the examination.
BTEC - GCSE (Equivalent) Level 2
BTEC music is about preparing young people for careers in the performing arts or music industry. It provides opportunities for musicians to develop a range of skills and techniques and Motivates learners via applied learning and assessment. There will be opportunities to organise your own concerts, use the recording studio and write music in a variety of styles. Music lessons and extra curricular participation (in and out of school) also constitutes part of the course!!
The course is offered in two formats: Level 2 BTEC First Certificate equivalent to 2 GCSEs grades A*-C (2 lessons a week + extra curricular work, including your music lesson)
BTEC First Diploma equivalent to 4 GCSEs grades A*-C (4 lessons a week + extra curricular work, including your music lesson).
Assessment is through course work with weekly homework linking closely to each unit. The ability to perform in front of an audience will also be a large part of the course.
BTEC - A Level (Equivalent) Level 3
BTEC National Award in music is focused on developing young people for careers in performance. It provides opportunities for musicians to develop a range of skills and techniques and motivates learners via applied learning and assessment. There will be opportunities to organise your own concerts, use the recording studio and develop your aural skills. Music lessons and extra curricular participation (in and out of school) also constitutes part of the course.
AS & A Level Music Technology
Examining Board—Edexcel
A Sequencing or Recording
The context of this section will be focusing on two areas of study
1) The development of music technology
2) Music fro the western classical tradition
B Arranging and improvising using technology
A combination of practical work and studying music from a third area of study - Popular music and Jazz.
C Listening and analysing
Students will develop their skills at listening and analysing unfamiliar music from area of study 1 and 3
Homework Policy
Key Stage 3
Weekly Homework is set at this stage as required.
Level 2 BTEC– Key Stage 4
Finalising Coursework. ONE LEARNING homework per week and PRACTICE on instrument AT LEAST 30 minutes each night.
