Music Update
Winter Concert, Music Theory Club, Jack Petchey Perfect Pitch Competition...
07 February, 20201 LikeThe Music department prides itself on being an active and vibrant part of the whole school community, as a result through both curriculum lessons and a broad extended-curriculum we aim to build the musical capacity of all students regardless of their ability.
The Music department prides itself on being an active and vibrant part of the whole school community, as a result through both curriculum lessons and a broad extended-curriculum we aim to build the musical capacity of all students regardless of their ability.
Music is taught to every student from Year 7 up until the end of Year 9. Various teaching methods are used to introduce, encourage and develop musical experience. We try to let students make music as much as possible. All work is recorded, either on video or as an audio file. All students learn how to evaluate and create music with plenty of opportunity to develop their performance skills.
Our performance, composition and listening activities include music from different national and cultural traditions, including world music, classical music, rock, blues, contemporary and 20th century popular music, music for film and television.
Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
Musical Bridges Baseline Listening Assessment The Orchestra – Black History Month Focus |
Pentatonic Improvisation through Jazz Introduction to the 12-bar Blues The Piano and Female Composers – Black History Month Focus |
Pentatonic Improvisation through Jazz Introduction to the 12-bar Blues Jazz Performance and the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year Award – Black History Month Focus |
Keyboard Skills | Keyboard Skills | Sonic Branding and Composing with Technology |
Keyboard Skills World Rhythms |
Keyboard Skills Programme Music |
Rock Music and Guitars |
Programme Music | Orchestral and Sequenced Film Music | Pop Bands, Live Music Events and Music Publishing |
Theme and Variation |
Right to Write – Film Music Western Classical Piano Music: Mozart; Beethoven; Chopin |
Song Writing Ground Bass and Remix Right to Write – Pop Songs |
Brazilian Samba | Western Classical Piano Music | Sequencing Pop Songs |
Music homework is set when relevant to lesson content. This may take the form of some written work, some research, or alternatively, some rehearsal. It is widely accepted that not all homes will have access to some of the instruments we use, however if practical homework is set, pupils are expected to find time during their breaks, or after school to come into the Music department and use the facilities we have here. Students who are learning an instrument are always encouraged and expected to practice in their own time.
At Key Stage 4 we follow the OCR J536 specification, and currently have 27 students in Year 10 and 35 in Year 11. Students are supported through the instrumental provision and during the summer term in Year 9 those students showing an interest in studying music at GCSE level are given the opportunity to start instrumental lessons.
During the course you will prepare two performances and two compositions (together worth 60%). These will be recorded on CD in the studio, internally assessed and externally moderated.
The final exam is a listening exam (worth 40%) which lasts up to 1 hour 30 minutes. It will take the form of multiple choice, short answer questions, and structured questions.
Students gaining grade 9 – 4 could possibly move on to the further study of A/AS level Music or Music Technology and can also progress to study Level 3 BTEC Music.
The study of music uses a variety of skills that can be transferred to many different jobs or professions and it is a stimulating course in its own right!
All students who receive instrumental or vocal tuition automatically have homework because of their commitment to practising. One third of the marks at GCSE are awarded to performing and many pupils rehearse with others out of school to try to improve their performances. The coursework of the composing area of the exam requires onward-going skills in compositional techniques and a tape to be presented by the examination deadline. Some of this work is completed as homework.
Students will also undertake research and written homework’s at times when this is appropriate.
Waiting for clarification
Feedback in Music
Live Feedback in Class | Feedback on Work Seen in Books | Marking |
Feedback is shared with students during music lessons, using a range of strategies dependent upon the task: – Verbal feedback on practical tasks – Peer assessment – ‘Spotlight checks’ on student work with immediate feedback provided – Modelling both best practice and common misconceptions in computer-based compositional work, through projecting students’ work on the whiteboard in real time at KS3 and KS4. This also develops students’ confidence in having others hear their work in development – Best practice and common misconceptions shared with students through the use of a bank of statements relevant to specific tasks. Students are directed to note specific statements in their exercise book. – Visualiser used to model best practice and share this with the whole class, where relevant, particularly at KS4. |
At KS3, exercise books are used as a tool for students to collate information that will be relevant for revision purposes, to demonstrate their understanding of concepts covered and to log key musical terms and phrases.Verbal feedback on book work will be provided collectively to the class, and at times, written directly into books.
At KS3, students will be given the opportunity to write relevant common misconceptions and corrections into their exercise books, based upon end of unit assessments.
At KS4, exercise books are used as at KS3, but also to develop their theoretical and analytical skills in music. Teachers will provide timely feedback on common misconceptions in exercise books, as well as students making their own notes when necessary. Formative feedback by way of comments is continually provided in the ‘notes’ section of the software for composing (GarageBand).
|
Correct work in classwork and homework may be acknowledged or ticked to encourage students that staff are actively engaging with their written work.
Verbal feedback will begin to link to the assessment language of the school reporting system (emerging, developing, secure etc), as we approach the data entry window at both KS3 and KS4.
Practical coursework marks (‘working towards’) will be shared with students at KS4 as they complete significant solo and ensemble performance activities in years 10 and 11, and as they completed composition work towards the end of year 10, mid-way through year 11, and by April of year 11.
Practice and mock papers will be marked by teachers and specific guidance given on areas of misconception. |
Winter Concert, Music Theory Club, Jack Petchey Perfect Pitch Competition...
07 February, 20201 LikeIf you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school office on 020 8270 6222 or contact the Head of Music, Miss J Hurst at jhurst@jorichardson.org.uk