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Music

“Music is magic like no other, which can do incredible, unexplained things” Tom Fletcher

Purpose

We believe that every student should have access to an aspirational and purposeful music curriculum. This should develop their skills as a musician as well an enrich them in skills and knowledge igniting curiosity that they wish to pursue. We should also provide them with knowledge of their next steps and routes for future employment.   

In Music students will develop a deep understanding of a wide range of musical genres through Performance, Composition, Listening and Appraising.    

  • Encourage creativity through performance and composition.  
  • Build Self Confidence and Resilience through Performance opportunities, composition activities, ensemble work, lessons, and extra-curricular activities.  
  • Performance – Gain a sense of achievement through participating in performance opportunities.  
  • Composition – Encourage creativity and knowledge of different genres.  
  • Listening and Appraising – Understand the complexities of music through analysis of a wide range of genres from different musical and cultural perspectives.  
  • Encourage Independence to be able to continually develop knowledge, skills and understanding.   
  • Life Skills developed by Music – Confidence, Resilience, Self-discipline, and Self-awareness.  
  • Cross Curricular Skills developed in Music – Teamwork, Time Management, Organisation, Cultural History, Communication, Listening.  
  • Provide a wide range of opportunities available throughout the academic year for students to work on all the above.   

Curriculum Features

A layered curriculum that develops students’ knowledge and understanding of a wide range of genres and styles of music. Within this, we aim to develop performance and compositional skills to suit our learners’ strengths and push them as individuals, as well as developing an eclectic music department using skills from the aforementioned styles and genres.  

  • Perform: Students develop their performance skills on their selected instrument, looking at genres that suit them as individuals as well as extending their skills by applying them to all the genres that we cover during lessons.  
  • Composition: Students develop their ability to use musical devices and the interrelated dimensions to create their own music based on the genres we cover in class.  
  • Listening and Appraising: Students can identify the distinctive features of different genres from diverse cultures and time periods. Students can use this to develop their own knowledge and understanding of the skills they can apply to their composition and performances. 

Key Stage 3 

Music at KS3 is an opportunity for students to develop skills and become a specialist in instruments. In Year 7 students explore Notation, GarageBand, Keyboard Skills, Programme Music, Rock ‘n’ Roll & Drum Skills. Year 8 students explore Minimalism, Film Music, Instrumental Skills, Dance Music & Pop Music. 

Students obtain the following skills and attributes from their time in KS3 Music: –  

  • Begin to understand the rhythmic values of notation. 
  • How to use the software and develop listening skills to create a remix. 
  • Focus on the inter-related dimensions 7 syncopation.  
  • Working as an ensemble.  
  • Development of compositional skills 
  • Focus on the development of leitmotif’s  

Key Stage 4  

Music at KS4 (Key Stage 4) is an opportunity for student extend their knowledge develop at KS3. The three-year course is an amalgamation of Composition, Ensemble, Performance and Appraising. Throughout Pearson BTEC L2 students engage with Component 1 – Exploring Music Products and Styles, Component 2 – Music skills development & Component 3 – Responding to a Music Brief. 

Students obtain the following skills and attributes from their time in KS4 Music: –  

  • Explore the techniques used in the creation of different musical products and investigate the key features of different musical styles. 
  • Develop two musical disciplines through engagement in practical tasks, while documenting their progress and planning for further improvement. 
  • Learners will be given the opportunity to develop and present music in response to a given music brief.

Key Stage 5  

Music at KS5 is an opportunity for student extend their knowledge developed throughout their time in KS3-KS4 music. The two-year course is an amalgamation of Composition, Ensemble, Performance and Appraising. Throughout Pearson BTEC L3 students engage with Unit 1 – Practical Music Harmony and Theory, Unit 2 – Professional Practice, Unit 3 – Ensemble & Unit 5. Learners can also benefit from opportunities for deep learning where they are able to make connections between learning and teaching modules and assessment units and select areas of interest for detailed study. BTEC Nationals provide a vocational context in which learners can develop the knowledge and skills required for particular degree courses; these knowledge and skills include:  

  • Teamwork  
  • Project work  
  • Presentation  
  • Analytical skills  
  • Creative development 

Enrichment

Encouraging and supporting student to take part in extra-curricular activities inside school, and with outside agencies including Wolverhampton Music Service.  

Extra-Curricular  

  • Providing opportunities to learn an instrument within the lesson and through peripatetic lessons.  
  • Whole School Band  
  • Choir  
  • Key Board Club

Events  

  • Winter & Summer Concert  
  • Church Service 
  • Lunch Time Concerts  
  • Performing Arts – Heath Parks Got Talent & Performing Arts Showcase

Trips 

  • Young Voices 

External Links  

  • Wolverhampton Music Service 

This encourages students to develop understanding of a rich and wide subject knowledge.  To become more expressive individuals through performing, composing, listening, and appraising. Develop independence of their musical choices, and resilience when showcasing their work and talents. Be proud of their strengths and learn how to develop their weaknesses.