Music
The Music department is based in a suite comprising of 2 well equipped classrooms and 7 practice rooms, including a band rehearsal room. The department offers students an excellent opportunity to extend and develop their knowledge of Music in a comfortable and positive learning environment.
All students are encouraged to continue learning or start to learn a musical instrument. The Peripatetic Music teachers at the Academy teach those who have lessons. More information about lessons can be found in the ‘Policies’ section of the Academy website.
Enrichments provide students with a variety of ensembles to join. The department has a Choir, Concert Band, Junior Band, String Group, Guitar Ensemble and Drum Ensemble, all of which perform at the annual Christmas and Summer concerts. More information about these can be found in the enrichments section of the website.
Department Staff
| Name | Position |
| Mr B Wise | Head of Music |
| Miss J Moodie | Head of Year / Music Teacher |
| Miss R Pointon | Music Teacher |
| Miss H Bennett | Music Teacher |
Peripatetic staff |
|
| Mr M Boden | Guitar |
| Mrs S Brett | Oboe/Bassoon |
| Mrs J Catchpole | Clarinet / Saxophone |
| Mr C Hibbard | Brass |
| Mr J Harbottle | Cello / Double Bass / Bass Guitar |
| Ms K Brown | Upper Strings (Violin and Viola) |
| Mr A Durrant | Percussion |
| Mrs S Burniston | Flute |
| Mrs E Chappell | Singing |
| Mr C Vale | Piano |
Syllabus
Students at Key Stage 3 will receive one lesson of Music per week. During these lessons students will learn to compose, play the keyboard and investigate a wide range of musical styles. The three key components of music; composition, performance and appraisal are all developed.
Key Stage 4
Students who opt for GCSE Music receive three lessons per week in Year 10 and two lessons in Year 11. The course follows the AQA specification and consists of four units.
- Unit 1: Listening and Appraising
- Unit 2: Composing and Appraising
- Unit 3: Performing Music
- Unit 4: Composing Music
For units 1, 2 and 4 students explore five areas of study through three strands of learning.
The five areas of study are:
- AoS1 Rhythm and Metre
- AoS2 Harmony and Tonality
- AoS3 Texture and Melody
- AoS4 Timbre and Dynamics
- AoS5 Structure and Form
The three strands of learning are:
- The Western Classical Tradition
- Popular Music of the 20th and 21st Centuries
- World Music
Key Stage 5
Students at Key Stage 5 currently receive 6 lessons per week. The courses follows the OCR specification and consists of three units at AS and A2.
AS Music
Unit 1 (G351) – Performing Music (worth 40%)
This unit consists of a solo recital lasting up to 8 minutes, a discussion about the performance with the examiner (Viva Voce) as well as an extended performance in which students usually perform either on a different instrument or as part of an ensemble. The minimum standard to achieve marks in the higher band is Grade 5.
Unit 2 (G352) – Composing 1 (worth 30%)
Section A: Students complete a portfolio of exercises, one of which is completed in examination conditions.
Section B: Students are required to compose or arrange a piece up to 3 minutes long.
Unit 3 (G353) – Introduction to Historical Study in Music (worth 30%)
Students will complete a two-hour written paper for which they will be given an individual copy of a cd to listen to on a personal stereo in the examination room. Students will complete questions on extracts they have studied as well as music they have not heard before.
A2 Music
Unit 4 (G354) – Performing Music 2 (worth 40%)
Students prepare a recital up to 15 minutes long. An examiner visits the Academy to assess the performance and to discuss students’ interpretation and the influence of recorded performances (Viva Voce).
Unit 5 (G355) – Composing 2 (worth 30%)
SECTION A: Stylistic Techniques - Students complete a portfolio of composition exercises in one stylistic technique.
SECTION B: Students create a composition lasting up to 4 minutes.
Unit 6 (G356) – Historical and Analytical Studies in Music (worth 30%)
This unit consists of an aural extract, which students listen to and respond as well as a written examination in which students have to write two essays from a choice of prescribed historical topics and works that have studied during the course.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Students studying music at Key Stage 4 and 5 receive free instrumental lessons with the Peripatetic Music staff.
