Music

“The true beauty of music is that it connects people. It carries a message, and we, the musicians, are the messengers.” — Roy Ayers

Music Vision

The below map details an overview of a student's journey through KS3 (Y7-9), this is a model of how the curriculum is delivered and may vary from term to term depending on access to equipment. In Music we focus on the core skills of composition and music analysis with a special drive on performance and practical musicianship as our KS4 offering requires a good level of technical skill on an instrument. Lessons are hands-on as we feel students learn best through being immersed in the music making process. All students will have the opportunity to use a range of instruments during their time at the Academy and many will find there is one they gravitate towards as they continue through KS3. 1:1 Instrumental lessons are also offered and students from all years are welcome to participate in these however there is a cost involved. The department also runs an extensive range of clubs and opportunities to rehearse which are announced on a termly basis.

Revision Provisions

What is Music?

The teaching and delivery of music in all schools at KS3 is a national requirement and as such your child will receive at least 1 whole class music lesson in every 2 week timetable. Music is all around us. It is the soundtrack to our lives. Music connects us through people and places in our ever changing world. It is creative, collaborative, celebratory and challenging. Music helps to bring classes and communities together through ensemble playing, concerts, experimenting and being creative and listening to friends and fellow pupils, performing. There is a lot of joy to be found in music making and working as a team towards a common goal while strengthening the shared bonds of support and trust which make a great school. 

Who might enjoy this course?

Skills
developed

What about exams? What will I study?

At present we study the RSL Level 2 Music Practitioners course for our GCSE equivalent course. If you enjoy learning and improving on your/an instrument (e.g. Vocals, piano, guitar,  drums etc.) and you are passionate about being able to play it better then you will  enjoy this course. Through this course our main aim is to support you in being able to  improve your overall musicianship but principally your technical ability on your  instrument. Due to this course being a certificate in music performance there will be the  expectation that your music needs to be performed and as such you will be expected to perform at school events including Concerts, Summer Showcases, Snape Awards Ceremony etc. The course has 3 units. These have a degree of flexibility depending on the talents  and interests of the learners enrolled on the course. The current RSL Music cohort are  studying: 

• Unit 204ta Instrumental Study - As part of this unit you select your principal  instrument and track your progress developing more challenging material on this  instrument through a diary, video/audio recordings and a range of written tasks  relating to the industry. You can work on any instrument. 

• Unit 202ta Live Music Performance - This is the exam unit. Students need to plan  and deliver a live music performance based upon a theme released by the exam  board. 

• Unit 201ta Musical Knowledge - in this unit students select 2 musical  genres/styles they are passionate about and write/study/perform in these styles.  Creating a deeper understanding of the musical elements which govern these  styles. In KS3 students have been looking at musical styles in this way discussing  why they appeared, their key features and looking at pieces in the style as such  this will build on what they have previously done.

What could I do next with GCSE Music?

If you have enjoyed your music lessons you can still continue to be involved in the Performing Arts life of the school through getting involved in concerts, choirs, bands, music rehearsals and instrumental lessons but you can also opt to take music as one of your chosen subjects if you feel you have developed the skills necessary to perform solo, write your own music when necessary and listen to and analyse music in detail.

Local colleges offer the Level 3 RSL course providing a local progression route that students would be very well prepared for. If you are thinking of working in a creative industry or simply would like to have a rounded, balanced education then music RSL is for you. Areas you could work in include; Sound Designer, Music Producer, Sound Engineer, Composer, Musician, Therapist, TV/Film Editor, TV/Film Producer, Vocalist, Actor, Games Developer. Even if you do not want a future career in music the inclusion of it in your timetable can bring many benefits. Music for many students can be a valuable outlet and performing music can help to increase emotional expression and confidence. It can build your presentation and performance skills as the course is heavily driven on showing others your work. It can provide enrichment activities outside of the classroom such as seeing and being involved in musical performances.