Music
Music is everywhere in the human experience and we engage with it on a daily basis, from the music we choose to listen to to the music we encounter through media exposure. Music forms a backdrop to our experiences, being present at occasions from celebrations to sporting events. It is a medium through which we can express ourselves, reflect on our life-experiences and connect with others. Music is a universal language and learning about music teaches us about others and about different perspectives. Music is natural and innate, from the rhythm of our heartbeat to the melodic undulations of the spoken voice.
Since music is so central to our lives, the aims of music study are to equip all young people with a life-long enjoyment of music, to develop their appreciation of how music ‘works’ and to nurture the talents and creativity of all students. Music study also makes a significant contribution to a young person’s holistic development: development of intellectual, mental, physical, emotional, and social abilities.
Curriculum implementation: KS3
All students in Year 9 receive two lessons of music per fortnight, developing their understanding of music through performing, composing, listening and appraising. Students learn about music in a positive and supportive environment and individual achievement at all levels is celebrated; they are encouraged to respect the achievements and creativity of their peers alongside those of prominent musicians. The learning environment is like no other: lessons are frequently practical, involving practice and performance, creative thinking and opportunities to enjoy listening to music.
There are three interrelated strands of musical learning:
Performing: students express themselves, develop motor skills, refine instrumental technique, grow in confidence as musicians and gain a sense of achievement through performance activities.
Composing: students improvise short motifs and learn to extend and organise their music ideas whilst meeting a set brief, promoting creative thinking.
Appraising: students engage in listening work and prepare written responses to music, in note-form or prose. They learn about the context in which music was created and develop understanding of the way composers use musical elements to create particular effects.
Students access practical tasks through a variety of notations, including staff notation, chord symbols and drum maps, and experience playing music on different instruments. They prepare work individually, in small groups and as a whole class.
Progression from KS3
The KS3 curriculum is designed to equip students with underpinning knowledge of musical elements to support progression to KS4 for those that wish to take Music as an option subject.
However, for those that choose not to continue with formal study of Music beyond KS3, the curriculum is a fabulous source for development of skills transferrable to future study and employment such as:
- working to briefs
- effective collaboration
- time-management
- problem-solving
- decision-making
- organisation
- taking responsibility
- presenting their ideas to others
- critical reflection
- creative thinking
- communication skills.
Students will also understand how music can support development of life skills, such as confidence, self-awareness, perseverance and self-discipline.
Music as an option subject
Students at KS4 and KS5 follow the Edexcel GCSE and A Level Specifications through which they build a detailed knowledge of different approaches to controlling musical elements. They study set works covering a broad range of genres from the worlds of classical, popular, film and TV to fusions synthesising ethnic and folk traditions with other styles. They develop in-depth knowledge of the conventions of music theory and learn how to deploy these in their own composition work, identify them in their performance work and recognise them aurally.
Students develop practical skills whilst learning about set works and in preparation for performance assessments, using their own instrument or classroom instruments such as keyboards. They complete a range of compositional exercises using a variety of techniques, but are encouraged to find their own ‘voice’ – their unique style – as composers whilst drawing on the wide range of techniques they have discovered in their study of set works. They learn how to use computer software and/or multitrack recording as a medium for composition, and are able to make informed and individual choices about the methods used to progress their work.
Music students at GCSE and A Level love listening to a range of music and demonstrate an open-minded approach to learning about different pieces; they are encouraged to make connections between their personal listening and performing choices and the music they experience through the curriculum. They develop a sophisticated vocabulary through analysing and appraising music and write at length about music, developing literacy.
Opportunities for learning beyond the curriculum
Alongside curricular music lessons, all students are invited to participate in instrumental music lessons with our peripatetic music provider, Music for Life, which offers a range of instrumental disciplines.
There is also a programme of performance events across the year and regular rehearsals of the school instrumental and vocal groups.
Beyond school: careers in Music
Studying music can lead to directly and indirectly linked careers including the following:
- Music producer
- Music therapist
- Musician
- Private music teacher
- Secondary school teacher
- Sound designer
- Sound engineer
- Sound technician in broadcasting
- Special effects technician
- Arts administrator
- Choreographer
- Community arts worker
- Event manager
- Marketing executive
- Radio broadcast assistant
- Radio producer
- Talent agent
- Theatre stage manager
Musicians can be employed within the following fields:
- music production companies – creative and administrative roles
- music retailers
- media organisations – including music magazines and licensing bodies
- schools and colleges
- orchestras, opera companies and touring companies
- travel industry companies, e.g. hotels, summer camps and cruises
- mental healthcare providers and charitable organisations
- the armed forces
- a range of employers in the cultural and creative industries including film and gaming companies.
- Increasingly, employers are turning to music graduates for the broad skillset they can offer.