Music
Aims
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To ensure that, by the end of Key Stage 3 (KS3), pupils will have gained an
understanding of the basic concepts of how music works in practice, for example, the use of melody, rhythm, chords etc along with an awareness of the makeup of different musical groups and an understanding of the features which characterise the different musical periods spanning the past four centuries to the present day. -
To promote the making and appreciation of music throughout the curriculum under the statuary three headings of Listening, Performing and Composing.
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To prepare pupils fully for the public examinations at GCSE, AS and A2 level.
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To advise A Level pupils about possible career paths involving the study of music at University or Music College after leaving school.
Curriculum
KS3Pupils undertake a wide range of practical / listening / creative tasks designed to motivate and inform. In addition, there is a continuous assessment procedure in place, designed to ensure that each pupil develops an understanding of a number of basic key concepts as to how music works as an art form.KS4 – GCSEPupils follow the CCEA specification which requires preparation and study of the three statuary headings of Listening (25%), Performing (35%) and Composing (40%).AS / A2 LevelPupils, as at GCSE, are entered for the CCEA specification – preferred because all assessments are conducted externally. A choice of two module options is on offer, with a third, compulsory, module. These modules are:
Facilities and Resources
Facilities for the tuition of Music in school have been recently the subject of continuous review. At present there are two music rooms serviced by two full time members of staff. Each room contains two computers which afford pupils the opportunities to produce their composition coursework in a professional format using the Sibelius 2 software package. It is hoped that accommodation for Music will be upgraded at some stage in the coming future.
Additional Information
Extra Curricular ActivitiesIn addition to the staple curriculum programme a wide range of musical activities –instrumental and choral – are on offer outside the classroom during lunchtime and after school. For details of these follow the Extra Curricular link.Instrumental LessonsA full programme of instrumental music lessons is available to pupils. These include lessons on most standard orchestral instruments, as well as those for piano and singing.Career PathsOver the years, many Academy pupils have chosen to pursue their studies at third level education with a view to embarking upon a career in Music. Several former pupils have gone on to study Music at such mainstream universities as The Queen’s University, Belfast, and The Ulster University along with those of York and Edinburgh. We have also had Oxbridge successes with recent places at St John’s College, Cambridge, and our first organ scholar (Exeter College, Oxford). More recently, a leaving pupil obtained a place at the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester to study cello. We hope for, and indeed anticipate, many more such successes in the future.