Music
It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.
We aim to get pupils involved in music making at all levels, to create their own pieces and to learn how to perform for an audience.
Staff
• Dr. S. Griffiths, Head of Department
• Mrs H.Denwood
• Team of peripatetic teachers who visit on a weekly basis
Key stage 3
There are several strands running through the music curriculum at KS3:
• Performance skills – these are keyboard-based, but we encourage students to bring in their own instruments and to sing in lessons. By the end of KS3 all pupils should have at least a basic familiarity with the keyboard and the principles of staff notation
• Classical Music – Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th century
• Popular Music – Folk Music, Blues, Pop Songs
• World Music – elements of musical traditions from different cultures
Most of the KS3 syllabus is taught through practical projects, typically musical compositions which arise from each topic. Pupils generally work in small groups to create pieces which are performed to the class at the end of each project.
Key Stage 4
We teach Edexcel’s GCSE Music syllabus, with its three units:
• Performance – each student prepares one solo and one ensemble piece for final submission
• Composition – two short pieces, usually notated and recorded using the computer program Sibelius
• Listening – working towards a final written exam, students have to become familiar with 12 set pieces, ranging from Classical music through to Indian music, Rock and Jazz
Key Stage 5
Our A level course is also based on Edexcel’s specification and follows a similar pattern to GCSE Music:
• Units 1 & 4 – short recitals on the student’s chosen instrument/voice. Approximately 5-6” for AS and 12-15” for A2
• Units 2 & 5 – composition and techniques. At AS each student must produce a single 3” composition, whilst at A2 there is a choice between original work or techniques (harmony, counterpoint, melodic writing)
• Units 3 & 6 – listening and analysis. Questions are set on a list of pieces contained within an anthology published by Edexcel
We encourage all of our A level students to become leaders of music in the school, helping with rehearsals, setting up their own groups, etc. and performing in concerts.
Extra Curricular
We have organized two or three concerts each year to showcase the ensembles and to give soloists the chance to perform for an audience.
Several rock bands form each year; we provide space and some equipment for their after-school practices and we have had one or two entries each year in York’s Best of the Bands.
Useful Links
Edexcel GCSE :
http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gcse/gcse09/music/Pages/default.aspx
Edexcel A level:
http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gce/gce08/music/music/Pages/default.aspx