Music

Intent or Aims for Learning: Music

Our aim in Music is to provide students with a life-long understanding and appreciation of Music. We study both Western and Global music to enlighten students to other musical cultures. Student plays keyboard in music lesson

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

In Year 7, students are introduced to the key elements of music, which gives them the building blocks for discussion, analysis, performance and creation of music. Students arrive at Sexey’s with a broad range of musical abilities and through baseline testing at the beginning of Year 7 we aim to ensure that all students make progress through their first three years at our school.

Some of the projects we complete in Year 7 include:

  • Singing and composing music for voice (including such important skills as posture, breathing, diction and ensemble)
  • Keyboard and notation skills
  • Introduction to Music Technology (using Garage Band on Macs)
  • Music in other cultures (focusing on a variety of African styles)
  • Music and the Movies

Key concepts covered in Year 8 include:

  • Programme Music (Composing for Hallowe’en)
  • Music of the Church
  • The Blues
  • Music for Movies (Advanced)

Year 9 study includes:

  • African Music ( The importance of rhythm in African Culture)
  • Minimalism
  • Song writing
  • Using Modes
  • Forming a band

Assessment

Details of assessment criteria for Key Stage 3 can be found here.

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Drumming and singing students Music at GCSE is an optional subject that is open to students wishing enhance their musical knowledge through performing, composing and understanding music. It is available to all students and, although it is helpful to be a confident performer, it is not essential as performance in music can be completed through the use of Music Technology.

We follow the current OCR GCSE syllabus, which consists of the following areas:

  • Integrated Portfolio: Students perform a piece of their own choice and submit a composition in any style or genre they like.
  • Practical Component: This includes an ensemble performance and a composition based on one of the Areas of Study (see below).
  • Listening Exam: Throughout the course students explore and learn about a variety of styles and genres of music linked to the Areas of Study. These are:
    • My Music – extending understanding and skill on your own instrument or voice
    • The Concerto Through Time – how music for soloists & orchestra has developed through time
    • Rhythms of the World – discovering music from India, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America
    • Film Music – researching both specially-composed film scores and how classical music is used in film
    • Conventions of Pop – popular music from Elvis to Adele

The final examination is based on previously unheard material from each of these Areas of Study.