Teaching & Learning
Music
KS3
Skills Entitlement:
Essential listening skills - articulating what they are hearing
Performance skills, both singing and instrumental
Compositional techniques.
KS4 (GCSE)
Instrumental Skills and Theory
The Elements and Ensemble Performing
During term 1 students will be developing their instrumental skills, both on the keyboard, and on their individual instrument. They will also be working through the basics of music theory. Alongside these, students will learn about the musical dimensions - enhancing their listening skills, and how the musical dimensions relate to successful compositions and performances.
Popular Music
Film Music
Students will begin looking at the origins, history and development of popular music. Students will perform a number of songs during this topic that will help to develop their understanding in order to be able to begin composing in this style. After half term, students will begin looking at film and gaming music; learning how and why pieces of music within this genre are composed, again students will perform a number of pieces during this topic that will help to develop their understanding in order to be able to begin composing in this style.
Western Traditional Music
World Music
During term 3 students will be using their listening skills from terms 1 and 2 to analyse music from the Western Classical Style, before moving to look at music from around the world. Students will learn about the music of India, Greece, Brazil and Africa and will perform in these styles to develop their understanding before composing in one of the styles. Alongside this, students will be performing in each of these styles.
Skills Gained:
Solo and Ensemble performance skills
Compositional techniques
Responding to a compositional brief.
An understanding of the dimensions of music
The ability to identify and describe the different musical dimensions when listening to a range of different styles of music.
The Elements of Music and Composition Skills
The Concerto through Time
Students will look at the elements of music, and the subject specific language necessary in preparation for learning exam content. Students will also look at the different techniques and methods of composing they can incorporate into their work throughout this year. After half term, students will begin looking in detail at the ‘Concerto’ musical style from the period 1650-1910. They will look at the characteristics and conventions of the style. They will also perform and compose in this style to aid their understanding.
Conventions of Pop
Film Music and Practical Music Composition Composition
Practical Composition
The Elements of MusicConventions of Pop
Practical Component
Students will begin looking at the conventions of popular music; rock & roll through to rock classics and ballads through to contemporary singer-songwriters. They will also perform and compose in this style to aid their understanding. After half term students will look at the conventions of film music, learning compositional techniques and conventions as well as the use of technology. Alongside composing and performing in this style, students will begin to look at the extended answer style questions for this area of study.
Rhythms of the World
Composition to a Brief
Students will learn about rhythms from around the world; from India, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, Africa and Central and South America. As with the other areas of study, students will look at the instrumentation and compositional techniques and conventions around the different types of music. They will also look at the cultural aspect of the different styles and develop their listening skills around the genres.
Skills Gained:
Solo and Ensemble performance skills
Compositional techniques
The ability to respond to a compositional brief.
Gaining an understanding of the dimensions of music
The ability to identify and describe the different musical dimensions when listening to a range of different styles of music.
Extended writing analysing a piece of music.
Students will be developing their instrumental skills, both on the keyboard, and on their individual instrument. They will also be working through the basics of music theory. Alongside these, students will learn about the musical dimensions - enhancing their listening skills, and how the musical dimensions relate to successful compositions and performances.
Concerto Through Time
Integrated Portfolio
Finishing Practical Work
Rhythms of the World A0S3
Final Practice for Listening Exam
Students will have up until the end of half term 4 to complete and submit their compositions and performance pieces. During lessons, students will work through the Rhythms of the World unit; music from India, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, Africa and Central and South America, in preparation for their exam.
Skills Gained:
Solo and Ensemble performance skills
Using compositional techniques and creativity within their coursework
Responding to the given brief.
Ability to identify and describe musical features when listening to a range of different styles of music.
Extended writing analysing music.