Music

Intent

The experience of live music and live performances should be part of every child’s education. Performing Arts subjects can have a powerful motivational effect and can help to develop positive attitudes in pupils of all ages and abilities. “Music is for everyone. It is creative and should engage and inspire. Its aim is to increase self-confidence and a sense of achievement.”

The MFL Department

  • Mr Jonathan Fenton-Vince – Director of Performing Arts

Subject Content

Key Stage 3

The Music National Curriculum at Key Stage 3 is delivered through six units of study in each of years 7 and 8 as follows:

Year 7

  • Unit 1: The Elements of Music
  • Unit 2: Stage Musicals
  • Unit 3: The History of Western Music
  • Unit 4: Music from Around the World – India
  • Unit 5: Music from Around the World – Africa
  • Unit 6: Music for Special Occasions

Year 8

  • Unit 1: The Elements of Music (revisited)
  • Unit 2: Film Music
  • Unit 3: The History of Western Music (Revisited)
  • Unit 4: Music from Around the World – Indonesia & China
  • Unit 5: Blues, Jazz and the Development of Popular Music
  • Unit 6: Fifty Years of Popular Music (1940s – 1990s)

Music Learning Journeys (KS3)

Music Learning Journey

Key Stage 5

Pearson BTEC Level 3 in Music Technology

The Music Department offer an accessible and exciting course equivalent to 1.5 A levels taught over two years. Pupils are not required to have studied Music at Key Stage 4 in order to access this course. However, it would be helpful if they have some prior knowledge in music/music technology.

The course centres around seven components: Recording Studio; Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and The Music Industry.

The qualification offers students the opportunity to develop their musical and technical skills through a process of self-evaluation, practice and review as they start to build their own personal audio portfolio in preparation for Higher Education and/or a career in Music/Music Industry.

The course carries UCAS points and is recognised by higher education providers.

Course Content and Assessment

During the two-year course students will study the following Units:

  • UNIT 2: Studio Recording Techniques (Mandatory) Internally assessed
  • UNIT 3: Music for Sound & Media (Mandatory) Internally assessed
  • UNIT 5: Music Technology in Context (Mandatory) Externally assessed
  • UNIT 8: Creative Synthesis & Sampling (Optional) Internally assessed
  • UNIT 10: Remixing & Reworking (Optional) Internally assessed
  • UNIT 13: Mixing & Mastering Techniques (Optional) Internally assessed
  • UNIT 15: Music Investigation (Optional) Internally assessed
  • UNIT 16: Commercial Music Production (Optional) Internally assessed
  • UNIT 17: Music Technology & Musicianship (Optional) Internally assessed.

Music Learning Journey (KS5)

Music Learning Journey