Music

In KS3, students will study Art (including Photography), Drama and Music. In Years 7 & 8, students will have 2 hours per subject a fortnight. In Year 9, students will have 2 hours a fortnight in Art and Music and 1 hour a fortnight in Drama.

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

	Topic 1	Topic 2	Topic 3	Topic 4	Topic 5	Topic 6
Year 7	Elements Part I: Intro to Music	Elements Part II: Christmas Music	Notation Part I	Introduction to Composition	Instruments of the Orchestra	Ukulele Project
Year 8	World Music: Calypso Music	The Western Classical Tradition	The Blues	Notation Part II	Programme Music	Music & the Media
Year 9	Popular Music Part I: Rock and Pop	Music for the Stage	Music for Film	Popular Music Part II	Electronic Dance Music	JOG Live Lounge

KS4 Curriculum

Year 11 Resources

Theory & Elements of Music Revision

Africa Revision 

Badinerie Revision

There are currently five GCSE options you can take in KS4: GCSE Art (Eduqas), GCSE Drama (AQA), GCSE Music (Eduqas), GCSE Textiles (Eduqas), and GCSE Photography (Eduqas). Students have five hours a fortnight for a subject at KS4.

GCSE Music

Qualification: GCSE Music (Examination Board Eduqas – www.eduqas.co.uk) (External link)

What will I study?

Students work in the three areas of listening, performing and composing.  Performing and composing (which builds on the improvisation and chord work of Years 8 and 9) are completed as coursework and submitted as recordings which are assessed at the end of the course.  The use of recorded work not only gives opportunities for the specialist musician to excel, but also students who, up to now, have not considered themselves as music readers and writers to present coursework to a high standard.

Successful students have to develop music-reading skills, be confident in the use of musical terminology, enjoy making music and listening to many styles. Music at examination level offers those with an interest the opportunity to turn what could just be a hobby into a highly academic and worthwhile qualification.

How will I be assessed?

• Component 1: Performing Music – coursework (30%)
• – Performance 1: Solo performance
• – Performance 2: Ensemble performance

Performances can be on any instrument and/or voice and in any style/genre. Both pieces must last a minimum of 4 minutes.

• Component 2: Composing Music – practical work (30%)
• Composition 1: Composition to an exam board brief
• Composition 2: Free composition in a style of choice
• Component 3: Appraising – written exam (40%)
• – 1 hour 15 minutes listening exam
• – Eight questions in total, two on each of the four areas of study. Area of study 1: Musical Forms and Devices Area of study 2: Music for Ensemble Area of study 3: Film Music Area of study 4: Popular Music

What skills do I need?

Basic keyboard skills are required – class work in KS3 will aid this. The ability to be able to work both individually and as part of an ensemble is key.  Finally, having a willingness to learn new skills such as how to use notation software like Sibelius is important.

What can I progress on to?

Many students who study GCSE Music progress on to study Music at A Level. You could also study AS and A2 Music Technology or BTEC Music Performance and Music Production.

KS5 Curriculum

There are currently five course options you can take at KS5: A Level Fine Art (Eduqas), A Level Textiles, A Level Photography, A Level Drama and Music (Eduqas). Students have ten hours a fortnight for a subject at KS5. 

Please see the links to the sixth form website for further information about these courses. You can also contact members of the faculty for further information.