Music
The Music department has a strong team of two specialist teachers. We also have 5 peripatetic teachers offering lessons in singing, keyboard/piano, drum kit, electric guitar, bass guitar and DJing/launchpad. We have a variety of teaching spaces within music to support our curriculum. One large classroom with 5 practice rooms for rehearsal, one room that hosts a suite of computers, as well as a smaller teaching space which includes a digital recording studio, monitoring speakers and a variety of high quality microphones.
The music department offers a variety of extra-curricular activities including vocal group and band. We have an excellent reputation for performing arts and stage an annual musical, which involves singing and musical accompaniment, plus additional events throughout the year. Over the past few years, we have had great success in additional practical music exams, with students achieving Grade 8. These extra music qualifications carry UCAS points and we have had a number of students continue their music education through university study.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum Breakdown
Year 7
Half Term |
Topic |
Learning Outcomes |
Assessment |
Half Term 1 |
Wonder |
Perform as a whole class ensemble, playing with fluency, accuracy and expression.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 2 |
Just Play - Keyboard |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 3 |
Ukulele Skills |
Develop the skills required to play a variety of chords on the Ukulele.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 4 |
Keyboard Skills and Notation |
Develop the understanding of musical notation including notes on the stave, rhythm and pitch.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 5 |
Rhythms of the World – African Drumming |
Explore music from another culture.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 6 |
Just Play – Band Skills |
Perform a piece of popular music in small groups using a variety of instruments with a focus on timing, fluency and accuracy.
|
|
Year 8
Half Term |
Topic |
Learning Outcomes |
Assessment |
Half Term 1 |
The Blues |
Understand the history of Blues Music. Perform the different elements within Blues music and use these elements to compose a Blues inspired song. |
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 2 |
Chords |
Develop your understanding of chords and accompaniment on the keyboard. Develop both hands when playing the keyboard in order to perform a solo piece. Understand how to vary chords when performing to add interest for the audience. |
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 3 |
Rhythms of the World - Samba |
Explore music from another culture. Perform, improvise and compose using samba instruments. |
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 4 |
Film and Video Game Music |
Perform music from film and video games. Explore different film music devices and utilise them in a variety of compositional exercises. Utilise music technology to create an effective piece of film music. |
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 5 |
Reggae |
Explore the history of Reggae music. Understand the musical characteristics and perform a piece of Reggae music. Develop instrumental and ensemble skills. |
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 6 |
Just Play – Band Skills |
Perform a piece of popular music in small groups using a variety of instruments with a focus on timing, fluency and accuracy. Be introduced to performing on instruments like the drum kit and the electric guitar. Develop ensemble skills when performing and rehearsing as a band. |
|
Key Stage 4 Curriculum Breakdown
Year 9
Half Term |
Topic |
Learning Outcomes |
Assessment |
Half Term 1 |
Pop and Dance Music |
How to listen to music and identify different musical styles. Analyse the stylistic features and characteristics of each genre. Develop an understanding of rehearsal techniques through studying a piece of music from each genre.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 2 |
Hip Hop |
Explore the factors that influenced the inception of Hip Hop, looking at significant events in history. Investigate how the genre has developed and incorporates subgenres within it. Perform in a hip hop style. |
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 3 |
Blues and Jazz |
Further explore the Blues genre and how it impacted other musical genres. Explore important recordings and performances within the different genres. Look into musical improvisation in performance. |
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 4 |
Rock and Punk |
Understand the differences between Rock and Punk music. Investigate the imagery and fashion associated with the different styles. Perform music from important bands within the Rock and Punk genres. |
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 5 |
R n B |
Investigate important albums within the R n B genre. Recognise elements of music within the genre. Perform a piece of R n B music. |
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 6 |
Country |
Explore how Country music has developed from its roots to a more contemporary music genre. Be able to compare musical characteristics across genres. |
|
Year 10
Half Term |
Topic |
Learning Outcomes |
Assessment |
Half Term 1 |
Musical Knowledge 1 – Coursework Preparation Solo Performance |
Develop skills in order for students to describe the contributing traits of two contrasting contemporary musical styles. You will explore:
Develop solo performance skills through rehearsal and performance to a brief.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 2 |
Musical Knowledge 1 – Coursework Completion Duet Performance |
Complete coursework where students describe the contributing traits of two contrasting contemporary musical styles. You will explore:
Develop ensemble skills when preparing the performance with another person. |
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 3 |
Mock Exam Preparation |
Undertake a mock of the external unit set by Rockschool, which is completed in year 11. The unit is called Live Music Performance. Students are expected to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 4 |
Mock Exam Completion |
Undertake a mock of the external unit set by Rockschool, which is completed in year 11. The unit is called Live Music Performance. Students are expected to:
Reflect on the performance and consider ways to improve future performances |
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 5 |
Musical Knowledge 2 – Coursework Preparation Solo Performance |
Display the ability to accurately recognise and discuss in detail at least four of the following musical elements:
Develop solo performance skills. |
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 6 |
Musical Knowledge 2 – Coursework Completion Ensemble Performance |
Display the ability to accurately recognise and discuss in detail at least four of the following musical elements:
Develop ensemble performance skills. |
|
Year 11
Half Term |
Topic |
Learning Outcomes |
Assessment |
Half Term 1 |
Optional unit – Coursework Preparation Solo Performance
|
Develop the skills in one of the following optional units:
Continue to develop music performance skills |
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 2 |
Optional unit – Coursework Completion Duet Performance |
Complete the first task from one of the following optional units:
Continue to develop music performance skills |
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 3 |
External Examination |
Complete the external unit set by Rockschool. The unit is called Live Music Performance. Students are expected to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 4 |
External Examination |
Complete the external unit set by Rockschool. The unit is called Live Music Performance. Students are expected to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 5 |
Optional Unit – Coursework Preparation Solo Performance |
Develop the skills in one of the following optional units:
Continue to develop music performance skills |
|
|
|
|
|
Half Term 6 |
Optional Unit – Coursework Completion Solo Performance |
Complete the first task from one of the following optional units:
Continue to develop music performance skills |
|
For further information on the curriculum offered please contact the Academy F.A.O Nina Kurij Kurij.n@whiteroseacademies.org (Head of Music)