Staff
Mrs. K Cruise Head of Department
Mrs. R Ashe
Mrs. A Graham
KS3
All pupils in Years 8 – 10 study a general music course based upon listening, composing and performing.
Listening
The pupils’ listening skills are developed through the study of a variety of pieces from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Twentieth Century periods of History. Also, pupils study the development of Pop Music from 1950’s to the present day.
The scheme of work also covers reading and writing music notation, the elements of music and the study of instruments from the Symphony Orchestra.
Composing
Pupils compose during all three years in the Music/ICT Suite. The Music/ICT Suite has 20 IMAC Computers with music keyboards attached. Every computer is installed with Logic Pro 9 and Sibelius 6.
Music Technology is delivered using Garageband software. Pupils learn to compose, sequence, record, mix down and bounce to a CD. They also learn how to film sequence.
Performing
In class, pupils learn to play the recorder and the keyboard. There is also an emphasis on classroom singing.
KS4
Pupils are offered GSCE Music (Edexcel) in Years 11 – 12.
Listening
Pupils study Set Works in great detail from a very wide range of genres. At the end of the course, pupils take an exam to test their knowledge of the Set Works.
Composing
Pupils may choose to compose using acoustic instruments or software instruments. They will use Logic Pro 9 and Sibelius 6 software programs.
Performing
This course allows pupils to perform a solo and be part of an ensemble on an instrument as a Musician.
They may alternatively choose to perform their solo as a Music Technician by submitting a sequenced piece of music on the computer. As Music Technicians they may submit their ensemble by recording live musicians in our Recording Studio. They study the techniques of Recording and mix down their recording to a CD. The software program that they use is Logic Pro 9.
Sixth Form
Pupils are offered Music Technology AS and A2 (Edexcel) in Years 13 – 14. This course is built upon the skills gained in KS3 and KS4. In both years, pupils submit three pieces of coursework and sit an exam at the end of the year.
Coursework
In both years, coursework is completed under controlled conditions using Logic Pro 9 software. Pupils submit a Sequencing Task, a Multi-Track Task (Recording Studio) and an Arrangement/Composing Task.
Examination
AS
Pupils study the development of Pop Music from 1910. – Present day. They also study all the accompanying developments of Music Technology equipment. Two genres will be examined in greater detail.
A2
Pupils study the development of Music Technology in greater detail to that in the AS year. This examination also tests the pupils’ ability to manipulate tracks of music using Music Technology under exam conditions.
