Music

"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
Berthold Auerbach (1812-1882)

Students at Blessed William Howard develop a life-long love of music through a combination of classroom teaching, instrumental tuition and extra-curricular provision. The music curriculum provides every child with an opportunity to perform in-front of a public audience, learn to play a musical instrument (recorder, keyboard and classroom percussion), engage in creative music-making through composition tasks using music technology and listen to music from a range of styles.

Subject staff

Mrs A Helliker - Curriculum Leader

Mrs A Gallatley

Peripatetic teachers

Mrs M Anderson (oboe and bassoon)

Mrs E Askey (brass)

Mr D Bradley (cello)

Mrs A Gallatley (clarinet, saxophone and piano)

Mr D Hollingshurst & Miss C Shipley (singing and piano)

Mr D Hulme (drum and percussion)

Mr J Milgate-Scarrott (flute)

Mr B Murphy (guitar)

Mr P Owen (electric guitar)

Mrs R Parkes (violin)

Curriculum Overview

KS3

In Key Stage 3 lessons cover the three strands of music; performing, composing and appraising. All children in Year 7 are encouraged to perform in-front of a public audience; by leading the annual carol service. They will also improve their keyboard skills aiming to perform a Grade 4 ABRSM standard piece by the end of the key stage. There are opportunities for students to engage with musescore, a music notation piece of software, to compose music in a variety of different styles, using a variety of techniques to develop and extend ideas into larger scale compositions as they progress through the key stage. Listening and analysis work begins in Year 7 with an understanding of the musical elements which supports their analysis work of larger

scale works later in Year 9. The carousel lessons provide opportunities for students to learn to play a second instrument, the guitar, and develop singing skills in preparation for GCSE music.

KS4

GCSE music builds on work from KS3. Working towards a GCSE music qualification from the Edexcel examination board, students submit two performances (one as a soloist and one as part of an ensemble) and two original compositions. In preparation for a terminal listening exam, students will study eight set works in detail, which cover a wide range of musical genres from the orchestral music of JS Bach to film music of John Williams. A study of music from around the world, as well as music for the stage and screen, develops a love of contemporary music.

KS5

Students may choose to study A-Level music (from the AQA examination board). A-level music is a logical progression from GCSE, bringing composition, performance and listening together in engaging ways whilst also linking music to the world around us.

Years taught:

Y7-13

Specification:

GCSE - Edexcel Music

A-Level - AQA Music

Curriculum Rationale

Curriculum Mapping

Extra-curricular

Specialist instrumental tuition (violin, viola, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba, drum kit, piano, keyboard, classical guitar, electric guitar, ukulele and singing) is available to all students. Lessons are subsidised by the school, and the current charge to parents is £250 for the academic year, reduced for students taking GCSE or A level music, and free for Pupil Premium students.

Extra-Curricular music clubs encourage students to work together at a higher level than can be achieved in a classroom situation. Recent ensembles have included orchestra, choir, samba band, guitar ensemble, a steel pans group, a senior rock band, a junior rock band, a music liturgy group, a Grade 5 Music Theory class and a school production team. There are no auditions for any ensembles and students from beginner standard to Grade 8 standard can join and work together culminating in several public performances throughout the year.