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Music

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Our Aims

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.
To prepare pupils fully for the public examinations at GCSE, AS and A2 level.
To advise A Level pupils about possible career paths involving the study of music at University or Music College after leaving school.

Staff

Director of Music

Ms M. McMullan

Teacher

Mr C. Davison

Teacher

Mrs A. McConnell

Peripatetic Music Teachers

Upper Strings

Mrs Lauren Bingham

Guitar

Mr Colin Boyd

Percussion

Mr Pete Comfort

Voice

Mrs Amy Fitzsimmons

Violin

Ms Maebh Martin

Clarinet & Saxophone

Dr Gerard McAtasney

Piano & Flute

Mrs Georgina McChesney

Piano & Cello

Mr Andrew Nesbitt

Brass

Mr Nathan Moore

Upper Strings

Mrs Tammy Surginor

Curriculum

Key Stage 3

Pupils 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.
GCSE

Pupils follow the CCEA specification for GCSE. The areas of study cover a wide range of musical styles and genres from around 1650 to the present day. Students are assessed on their ability to perform with technical control, expression and interpretation; compose, create and develop musical ideas with technical control and coherence; and listen analyse and evaluate music using musical terminology.
AS/A2

The revised CCEA Specification GCE Music qualification is made up of two parts: AS and A2. The AS can be taken as a ‘stand-alone’ qualification without progression to A2. However, to gain a full GCE, students must complete both parts of the course. The course is divided into four units. Students must study two units at AS level and a further two units at A2 level.

Facilities & Resources

The Music Department enjoys the modern facilities of a new purpose-built department comprising of 3 classrooms, a computer suite, recording studio, eleven practice rooms, and a network of Apple iMacs spread throughout the Department. We also boast a Boston Steinway grand piano and a pipe organ in the Assembly Hall.

Instrumental Lessons 2025/26

The Music Department is a bustling and exciting place at BRA where students of all ages and abilities are encouraged to strive for musical excellence.

Our Music Department is housed within a modern, bespoke building comprising of large classroom spaces, recording studios, an apple-mac computer suite and a range of practice rooms. Around 150 pupils receive instrumental and vocal musical tuition each week delivered by a talented team of peripatetic music teachers. We also hold a long-established association with the City of Belfast School of Music where a large number of our pupils are current members. We are proud of the many BRA musicians who have gone on to study Music at universities and conservatoires throughout Ireland and the UK.

Lessons take place throughout the day and after school and operate on a rotating timetable; although the teaching day remains the same each week, your lesson will be at a different time. Most pupils aim to take a practical exam each year. We currently enter pupils for ABRSM, Trinity Classical and Pop, Rock School and London College
of Music exams.

Our team of peripatetic teachers offer lessons on the full range of orchestral instruments, singing and piano.

Get in touch

Our office is open 8:15am - 4:15pm Monday to Friday.

info@bfsra.belfast.ni.sch.uk