Music

To provide a wide ranging, thought provoking and enjoyable music education for every student.  To enable students to listen to, perform and compose music from a variety of cultures, countries, traditions and historical eras.


School Trips

A number of school visits are arranged throughout the course of the year.  Details of trips which have taken place this year or are planned in the future can be viewed in the School Visits, Enrichment area of the website.
Facilities

  • Two classrooms fully equipped with keyboards
  • Recording Studio
  • Practice rooms equipped with piano/drum kits/guitars
  • Larger performance room
  • Full set of African Djembe drums
  • Small iMac suite

Useful Links

KS3 Music

Years 7, 8 and 9

Through listening, performing and composing students learn about different musical styles and genres.  They focus on the musical features as well as the historical and cultural context of the music they study.
Classwork and assessment focuses on the use of keyboards/piano, voice, percussion and ukulele.

Year 7

Exploring Music, Instruments of the Orchestra, African Drumming, Vocalise, Minimalism, Chinese Music.

Year 8

Theory, Bhangra, Storytelling, Blues, Ukulele, Latin Beat, Adverts.

Year 9

Theory, Ukulele, Popular Song, Film Music, Reggae, Remix.

What skills students develop

Listening, performing, composing, group work, independent learning, literacy, numeracy, analytical, spiritual, moral, social and cultural.

How students are assessed

  • Through solo and group/paired performances and compositions
  • Listening tests, tasks and assignments
  • Observation of practise in lesson time
  • Performances for school events and concerts

Homework

Listening and research activities
Practising performances for assessment

How parents can help

  • Listening to music with students
  • Attending school concerts

Extra-curricular Activities

  • Lower School Singers
  • Harmony Group
  • Ukulele Group
  • Blenheim Band
  • Music Technology Club
  • Instrumental lessons: Guitar, Piano, Drums, Voice

KS4 Music 9-1

GCSE Graded 9-1

Board and Exam Details:      

OCR GCSE music

There are 3 units covered at GCSE:

  • Unit 1: Performing (solo and ensemble)
  • Unit 2: Composing (using computer systems and music technology
  • Unit 3: Listening and appraising (studying different genres of music; ‘Conventions of Pop’, ‘Film Music’, ‘Rhythms of the World’ and ‘The Concerto Through Time’.)

Link to course specification

What skills students develop

  • Listening, performing, composing, group work, independent learning, literacy, numeracy, analytical, spiritual, moral, social, cultural and research.

How students are assessed

  • Unit 1: Performances are recorded in school and moderated by external examiners (30%)
  • Unit 2: Composition under controlled conditions (30%)
  • Unit 3: Listening and a written examination of 1½ hours (40%)      

Homework

Preparation for assessments, assignment work, instrumental practice and studio composition time.

How parents can help

  • Encouraging students to practise their instruments
  • Helping students keep track of course deadlines
  • Attending events and concerts

Extra-curricular Activities

  • Upper School Singers
  • Orchestra
  • Keyboard Club
  • Guitar Club
  • Instrumental lessons: Guitar, Piano, Drums, Strings, Brass and Woodwind