Music
Mr D Rees
Why study Music?
If you enjoy singing or playing an instrument, this is the course for you. Achieve good grades through enjoyment!
- Only 20% of your mark is based on a written exam, with 80% coming from composing and performing.
- Experienced and well-qualified teacher
- Opportunities to perform as a soloist and in groups
- Create and record your own music
- Expand and develop your existing skills
- You only need to be Grade 3 standard on your instrument/with your voice by February of Year 11 to achieve the highest marks for the Performing aspect of the course.
It has been proven that studying music can help broaden your life skills and attributes including:
- Critical and creative thinking
- Aesthetic sensitivity
- Emotional , Cultural & Social development
- Citizenship
- ICT skills
Aims & Objectives:
- Develop your understanding and appreciation of a range of different kinds of music
- Extend your own interests and increase your ability to make judgements about musical quality
You will be given the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to:
- Make music as an individual and in groups
- Develop a life-long interest in music
- Progress to further study
- Enhance your performing and composing skills
- Develop ICT skills through composing and performing
You will study:
Performing Skills - Singing or playing a solo and as part of a group
Composing Skills - Creating & developing musical ideas
Appraising / Listening Skills - Analysing music using appropriate terminology
The course is based on 3 Areas of Study:
Popular Music of the 20th & 21st centuries:
- Blues
- Popular music of the 1960s
- Rock music, R’n’B (rhythm and Bass),
- Hip-Hop
- Music Theatre
- Film music
The Western Classical Tradition:
- Baroque orchestral music
- The concerto
- Music for voices
- Chamber music
- The sonata
World Music:
- Music of the Caribbean
- Music of Africa
- Music of India
Assessment:
Performing Skills - 40%
Two different performances are required. One as a soloist and one as a group.
There is no visiting examiner so all of your work is recorded in school.
Composing Skills – 2 x 20%
Two pieces of coursework - internally assessed; linked to the 3 Areas of Study.
One piece is also accompanied by some written work which is completed in school, which simply asks to you to explain the process which you went through in your composition.
Appraising / Listening Skills - 30%
A one hour exam based on the 3 areas of study as mentioned above.
Trips & Excursions & Extra-Curricular:
Professional musical theatre production / tour / West End trip
Weekly lessons with visiting tutors (Lunchtime / After school)
Violin, Piano, 'Cello, Woodwind (clarinet, flute, saxophone, oboe, bassoon etc), Brass (trumpet, trombone etc) and Voice.
After-school Extra-curricular Activities
Rock School - Electric Guitar & Drums
Lunchtime Extra-curricular Activities
Jazz Band
School Choir
[GCSE Performing & Composing - 2 lunchtimes]
