Music

KS3 (Years 7 to 9)

The curriculum has been revised, renewed and rewritten to reflect the recent changes in the UK (including the changes seen in the Model Music Curriculum document). It has also been localised for use in the school (for our students, staff and current resources).


Key Stage 3 Outline, Year 7


Performing:

Topic 1: Latin American Percussion — The class performs rhythms from Latin American music as a class ensemble on congas, bongos, agogos, claves and other non-pitched instruments. Pieces are based on Salsa, Bossa Nova, Samba and other Latin rhythms. Staff notation is taught along side percussion and drum notation. 


Topic 2: Singing — The class learns how to use the voice as an instrument (vocal care and technique are taught). The pieces sung are taken from around the world. They include songs from France, Africa, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, England and the United States. The class learns how to sing in unison and in parts. They learn about Solfeggi, Kodaly hand signals, intervals and other theoretical concepts and notations.  


Topic 3: Keyboard Skills — Students study music written for the keyboard by learning how to read  staff notation and play graded pieces. Piano technique, such as the use of rotation, leverage and support, scales, and arpeggios is taught and learned. Students learn pieces from the Western Classical Tradition.  



Composing:

Topic 1: Music Technology — Students compose a melody to a chord sequence in Binary form on Logic Pro. They learn how to edit, record, and use various key functions of the software (quantise, event edit, score edit) while studying harmony, melodic construction and other music elements. 


Topic 2: Modes, Drones and Pedals — Students compose a piece in Ternary form and explore the Aeolian mode, its chords and how to use drones and pedals on Logic Pro. They build on the previous topic and work towards refining their mixing skills before bouncing their completed piece onto MP3 format. 


Listening and Appraising: 

Topic 1: The Conventions of Popular Music — Students learn about the development of Pop music from the 1940’s to present day. They analyse different tracks and learn how to listen critically to harmony, melody, structure and timbre. They develop their aural skills and learn how to recognise chord sequences (harmonic movement), chord qualities, intervals and melodic passages.

KS4 (Years 10 & 11)

Award: GCSE

Awarding Body: OCR

Specification Code: J536

Specification Website: https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/219378-specification-accredited-gcse-music-j536.pdf

This course leads to an A-Level.

OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Music will provide a contemporary, accessible and creative education in Music with an integrated approach to the three main elements – performing, composing and appraising. Learners are encouraged to be creative and to broaden their musical horizons and understanding with Areas of Study that inspire and challenge. This specification will enable learners to explore performance and composition with a focus on their own instrument and genre choices and offer opportunity to explore new instrumental skills.


Through the various genres, styles and eras contained in our Areas of Study they will explore musical context, musical language, and performance and composition skills. OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Music is designed to appeal to, and cater for, a wide range of interests, instruments, personalities and directions. Learners will have the opportunity to explore instruments and Areas of Study depending on their personal preference and ability

Programme of Study and Assessment

Content Overview Assessment Overview Performance on the learner’s chosen instrument.

Composition to a brief set by the learner. 

Integrated portfolio (01 or 02) 60 Marks.

Non-exam assessment 30% of total GCSE 


Ensemble performance

Composition to an OCR set brief.

Practical component (03 or 04) 60 Marks. 

Non-exam assessment 30% of total GCSE


Listening and appraising

A written paper, with CD.

Aural recognition and context unheard/unfamiliar music from within the Areas of Study 2, 3, 4 & 5. 

Listening and appraising (05) 80 Marks.

1 hour and 30 minutes written paper 40% of total GCSE


KS5 (Years 12 & 13)

Award: A-Level

Awarding Body: OCR

Specification Code: H543

Specification Website: OCR A-Level Music

Institution: Bayside/Westside

This course will provide a contemporary, accessible and creative education in Music with an integrated approach to the three main elements: performing, composing and appraising. This specification will enable learners to explore performance and composition in greater detail and allow them to choose a specialist in performance or composition. Through the various genres, styles and eras contained in the different Areas of Study, they will explore musical context, musical language and performance and composition skills. 

In addition to this, the course will encourage learners to broaden their musical experience and interests, develop their imagination and foster their creativity. They will develop as effective, independent learners and critical and reflective thinkers, able to reflect critically and make personal judgements on their own and others’ music and they will also develop their awareness of music technologies and their use in the creation and presentation of music. 

Students will study at least four Areas of Study from a choice of six Areas of Study. Through the investigation and in-depth study of the large variety of music contained in the Areas of Study, students will develop their knowledge and understanding of the musical elements, context and language. They are designed to encourage a musical and practical approach to teaching and learning and to promote integration between the skills of performing, composing and appraising. 

Subject Content

Students will take either components: 01, 03 and 05 OR 02, 04 and 05

Performing A: 01 -  Recital minimum of 6 minutes and two contrasting pieces. 

Choice of:

Performing B: 02 - Recital minimum of 10 minutes and three contrasting pieces. 

Choice of: 

Composing A: 03 - Compositions with a combined duration of at least 8 minutes:

Composing B: 04 - Compositions with a combined duration of at least 4 minutes:

Listening and Appraising: 05 - Written exam including listening and essay style questions which will include:

Assessments

Performing A: 01 -  Recital minimum of 6 minutes and two contrasting pieces.

Performing B: 02 - Recital minimum of 10 minutes and three contrasting pieces.

Composing A: 03 - Compositions with a combined duration of at least 8 minutes:

Composing B: 04 - Compositions with a combined duration of at least 4 minutes:

Listening and Appraising: 05 - Written exam including listening and essay style questions which will include: