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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 
 
Elements of Music 

Perform as a whole class ensemble, playing with fluency, accuracy and expression. 


Compose within a range of contexts using different structures.  
Understand basic rhythmic notation

  • Performances/compositions.
  • Peer/self reflection. 
  • Listening activities. 
  • Baseline Test  

 

 

 

 

Half Term 2

Just Play - Keyboard

 
Develop correct keyboard techniques through focused technical exercises.

 
Develop both hands when playing the keyboard in order to perform a solo piece.   

  • Performances/compositions. 
  • Peer/self reflection. 
  • Listening activities. 
  • Solo Performance – Listening Test 

 

 

 

 

Half Term 3

Ukulele Skills

Develop the skills required to play a variety of chords on the Ukulele. 


Develop a strong understanding of how to read chord diagrams and perform in time with a backing track. 

  • Performances/compositions. 
  • Peer/self reflection. 
  • Listening activities. 
  • Whole Class Performance  

 

 

 

 

Half Term 4

Keyboard Skills and Notation

Develop the understanding of musical notation including notes on the stave, rhythm and pitch.  


Perform more complex pieces on the keyboard. 

  • Performances/compositions. 
  • Peer/self reflection. 
  • Listening activities. 
  • Solo Performance  

 

 

 

 

Half Term 5

Rhythms of the World – African Drumming

Explore music from another culture.  


Perform, improvise and compose using djembe drums.  

  • Performances/compositions.
  • Peer/self reflection. 
  • Listening activities. 
  • Small group composition 

 

 

 

 

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. 


Develop ensemble skills when performing and rehearsing as a band. 

  • Performances/compositions.
  • Peer/self reflection. 
  • Listening activities. 
  • Small group performance 

 

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.  

  • Performances/compositions.

  •  

    Peer/self reflection. 

  • Listening activities. 

  • Small group performance  

 

 

 

 

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. 

  • Performances/compositions. 

  • Peer/self reflection. 

  • Listening activities. 

  • Solo Performance  

 

 

 

 

Half Term 3

Rhythms of the World - Samba 

Explore music from another culture.  

Perform, improvise and compose using samba instruments.  

  • Performances/compositions.
  • Peer/self reflection.
  • Listening activities.
  • Whole Class Performance  

 

 

 

 

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.  

  • Performances/compositions. 
  • Peer/self reflection. 

  • Listening activities. 

  • Solo Performance  

 

 

 

 

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.  

  • Performances/compositions.

  • Peer/self reflection. 

  • Listening activities. Small group composition 

 

 

 

 

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. 

  • Performances/compositions.

  • Peer/self reflection.

  • Listening activities. 

  • Small group performance 

 

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. 

 

  • Performances/compositions.

  • Peer/self reflection. 

  • Listening & research activities. 

  • Small group performance 

 

 

 

 

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. 

  • Performances/compositions.

  • Peer/self reflection. 

  • Listening & research activities.

  • Written assessment 

 

 

 

 

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.  

  • Performances/compositions. 

  • Peer/self reflection. 

  • Listening & research activities.

  •  

    Small group 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.  

  • Performances/compositions.

  • Peer/self reflection. 

  • Listening & research activities.

  • Whole class/small group performance 

 

 

 

 

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.

  • Performances/compositions.

  • Peer/self reflection. 

  • Listening & research activities. 

  • Small group performance 

 

 

 

 

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.  

  • Performances/compositions.

  •  

    Peer/self reflection. 

  • Listening & research activities.

  •  

    Small group performance 

 

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: 

  • The factors that influenced its inception 
  • Significant artists/bands/producers 
  • Important recordings/performance/events 
  • Imagery and fashion associated with the style 

Develop solo performance skills through rehearsal and performance to a brief. 

 

  • Coursework preparation activities. 

  • Peer/self reflection. 

  • Listening & research activities.

  •  

    Solo performance 

 

 

 

 

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: 

  • The factors that influenced its inception 
  • Significant artists/bands/producers 
  • Important recordings/performance/events 
  • Imagery and fashion associated with the style 

Develop ensemble skills when preparing the performance with another person. 

  • Peer/self reflection. 

  • Listening & research activities.

  •  

    Duet performance 

  • Coursework assessment 

 

 

 

 

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: 

  • Plan for a live performance
  • Undertake an effective rehearsal process
  • Demonstrate, in collaboration with others, the skills to perform a set in a specific live environment to a target audience
  • Reflect on the performance and consider ways to improve future performances 
  • Portfolio of evidence including written, video and audio. 

 

 

 

 

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: 

  • Plan for a live performance 
  • Undertake an effective rehearsal process 
  • Demonstrate, in collaboration with others, the skills to perform a set in a specific live environment to a target audience 

Reflect on the performance and consider ways to improve future performances 

  • Portfolio of evidence including written, video and audio. 

 

 

 

 

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: 

  • Tonality 
  • Tempo 
  • Instrumentation 
  • Lyrical content (where applicable) 
  • Production Techniques 

Develop solo performance skills. 

  • Coursework preparation activities. 

  • Peer/self reflection. 

  • Listening & research activities. 

  • Solo performance 

 

 

 

 

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: 

  • Tonality 
  • Tempo 
  • Instrumentation 
  • Lyrical content (where applicable) 
  • Production Techniques 

Develop ensemble performance skills. 

  • Peer/self reflection. 

  • Listening & research activities.

  • Duet performance 

  • Coursework assessment 

 

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: 

  • Improving Instrumental Performance 
  • Composing Music 
  • Sound Recording 
  • Using a DAW 

Continue to develop music performance skills  

  • Coursework preparation activities. 

  • Peer/self reflection. 

  • Listening & research activities. 

  • Solo performance 

 

 

 

 

Half Term 2

Optional unit – Coursework Completion  

Duet Performance

Complete the first task from one of the following optional units: 

  • Improving Instrumental Performance 
  • Composing Music 
  • Sound Recording 
  • Using a DAW 

Continue to develop music performance skills 

  • Peer/self reflection.

  • Listening & research activities.

  • Duet performance 

  •  

    Coursework assessment 

 

 

 

 

Half Term 3

External Examination 

Complete the external unit set by Rockschool. The unit is called Live Music Performance. Students are expected to: 

  • Plan for a live performance 
  • Undertake an effective rehearsal process 
  • Demonstrate, in collaboration with others, the skills to perform a set in a specific live environment to a target audience 
  • Reflect on the performance and consider ways to improve future performances 
  • Portfolio of evidence including written, video and audio. 

 

 

 

 

Half Term 4

External Examination 

Complete the external unit set by Rockschool. The unit is called Live Music Performance. Students are expected to: 

  • Plan for a live performance 
  • Undertake an effective rehearsal process 
  • Demonstrate, in collaboration with others, the skills to perform a set in a specific live environment to a target audience 
  • Reflect on the performance and consider ways to improve future performances 
  • Portfolio of evidence including written, video and audio. 

 

 

 

 

Half Term 5

Optional Unit – Coursework Preparation 

Solo Performance 

 Develop the skills in one of the following optional units: 

  • Improving Instrumental Performance 
  • Composing Music 
  • Sound Recording 
  • Using a DAW 

Continue to develop music performance skills 

  • Coursework preparation activities. 

  • Peer/self reflection. 

  • Listening & research activities. 

  • Solo performance 

 

 

 

 

Half Term 6

Optional Unit – Coursework Completion 

Solo Performance

Complete the first task from one of the following optional units: 

  • Improving Instrumental Performance 
  • Composing Music 
  • Sound Recording 
  • Using a DAW 

Continue to develop music performance skills 

  • Peer/self reflection. 

  • Listening & research activities.

  • Duet performance 

  • Coursework assessment 

 

For further information on the curriculum offered please contact the Academy F.A.O Nina Kurij Kurij.n@whiteroseacademies.org (Head of Music)