Year 7
In Year 7, pupils will receive five lessons a fortnight in Expressive Arts. This is made up of two lessons of Art, one lesson of Drama and two lessons of Music. Pupils will develop a range of skills through a thematic approach to the Expressive Arts, where each unit will end in a showcase or celebration of pupil’s work. Pupils will also have a range of opportunities to experience working with outside providers and there will be many opportunities to further their skills in the rich extra-curricular programme provided – Various Lunchtime Clubs, Termly Concerts, and Showcase Evenings.
Year 8
Pupils will be exploring music through a variety of practical activities. They will learn to complete tasks through the three main areas of the subject: Performing, Composing and Appraising. Pupils will develop their own performance skills through vocal, keyboard and xylophone work. Pupils are of course encouraged to use their own instruments in class when appropriate. An awareness of basic musical theory will be taught to facilitate the progression of composition skills. The music technology programmes “Mixcraft” and “Sibelius” will also be used, where appropriate, to enable pupils to explore and record their individual ideas and create a piece of film music to accompany a film clip.
Term 1
Pop music
Term 2
Film music: “Pirates of the Caribbean”
Term 3
Riffs and hooks
Year 9
Pupils will be exploring music through a variety of practical activities. They will learn to complete tasks through the three main areas of the subject: Performing, Composing and Appraising. Pupils will develop their own performance skills through vocal, keyboard and xylophone work. Pupils are of course encouraged to use their own instruments in class when appropriate. An awareness of basic musical theory will be taught to facilitate the progression of composition skills. The music technology programmes “Mixcraft” and “Sibelius” will also be used, where appropriate, to enable pupils to explore and record their individual ideas. Personalised learning is encouraged in Year 9 Music and pupils should aim to choose appropriate classroom opportunities to enable them to achieve their personal best.
Term 1
Dance music
Term 2
Film music
Term 3
“Showcase” / Preparing for GCSE
Ways in which parents can help:
- Encourage pupils to actively participate in lessons.
- If pupils have instruments at home parents can listen and encourage them to practise.
- Reminding their children to visit the websites listed below and/or buying some of the books suggested below (to help with theory knowledge – particularly useful for children who may wish to continue music into GCSE).
Useful websites:
Useful books/magazines/publications:
- Alfred’s Essentials of Music Theory Books 1, 2, 3.
- Eric Taylor: Music Theory in Practice Grade 1.
- James Sleigh and Mike Sheppard: How to Crack Music Theory.
