Music
Key Stage 3 Music is an opportunity for learners from all starting points to develop their ability in performing music, composing music, and understanding music. Pupils will progress through the KS3 curriculum studying music from a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions. This includes music from the western classical tradition, popular music and traditional music, which links with the areas of study at GCSE.
Pupils are encouraged to participate in class solo and ensemble performances, completing self and peer assessments. Pupils have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities, to develop their love of the subject beyond the classroom. Pupils have a range of opportunities to develop class skills in public performances, including termly concerts, presentation evenings and assemblies.
The collaborative learning within the classroom helps pupils develop essential transferable soft skills such as teamwork, reliance, dedication, perseverance and determination, which they can take into the workplace. Pupils also have the opportunity to see how music fits in with cross-curricular themes by exploring music's historical and social contexts.
Year 7
| Term | Unit | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn1 | Introduction to the Keyboard |
Starting to use the keyboard and adopting a suitable playing technique, using the 5 finger C position. Play and read simple notated melodies. What is a chord sequence? |
| Autumn 2 | Steel Pan |
Introduction to Whole Class Ensemble playing. What is Caribbean music, and how did it develop? Performing and playing simple Reggae and Soca music using notation. |
| Spring 1 | Intro to Music Tech - Fantastic Zoology |
What is Music Technology, and how is it used? Introduction to the DAW Cubase, choosing sounds and recording. Listen to and recreate the piece A Bao A Qu by Mason Bates. |
| Spring 2 | Rhythm Riffs and Ostinatos |
Looking at music from countries from across the world and analysing how music is performed and composed. Rhythmic music from Africa, Drones and Ragas from India and Indonesian Gamelan music. |
| Summer 1 | The Orchestra and Classical Music |
Which instruments make up the classical orchestra and how has this changed and developed? Using the piece Pachelbels Canon in D minor to learn about and perform Canons, Texture and Ground Bass. |
| Summer 2 | Keyboards 1 |
Develop keyboard skills to include further understanding of notation in both treble and bass clef. To be able to perform pieces with a chordal backing either individually or with a partner. |
| All Year | Rock Choir | Our ongoing project sees (or hears) all Year 7 singing together once a week. |
Year 8
| Term | Unit | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn 1 | Electronic Dance Music |
How has Electronic Music developed through Disco, Garage, Techno and House? Using Bandlab, create a piece of EDM music to a given structure using loops and samples. |
| Autumn 2 | Blues Music |
What is the 12 bar blues, and how has it shaped the popular music of today? Playing the blues chord sequence and adding a walking bass line. Improvising a melody using the blues scale. |
| Spring 1 | Whole Class Ensemble Playing |
Using a selection of class sets of instruments, pupils learn to perform together accurately, following either aural instructions or written notation. Follow rhythmic patterns and melody lines. Work in harmony and unison. |
| Spring 2 | Music and Video Games |
How is music used in the video game industry? What is a leitmotif? Creating a piece of music for a video game, including character themes, end of level music and a ground theme. |
| Summer 1 | Musical Theatre |
What is Musical Theatre, and how has this developed over time? Analyse elements of musical theatre. What makes a catchy musical song? Lyric writing and setting to music. |
| Summer 2 | Keyboards 2 |
Develop more advanced keyboard skills, including reading of notation in both treble and bass clef. Being able to perform pieces of music at different levels either individually or with a partner. |
Year 9
| Term | Unit | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn 1 | In The Style Of |
Understand how to create a remix of an existing piece of music. Learn how to use the editing features of a DAW. Manipulate samples. Use MIDI and software instruments to create additional parts. |
| Autumn 2 | Music and Film |
Why is music so fundamental to films? How has this developed over time from silent movies to the present day? Learn techniques used by film composers, including Mickey Mousing. Compose music to fit a chosen film excerpt. |
| Spring 1 | Britpop |
What was the Britpop era, and how did it influence the UK music scene? Playing a chord sequence using both keyboard and stringed instruments. As a class analyse, sing and perform the Oasis hit "Wonderwall." |
| Spring 2 | DJ |
What are the skills that are needed to be a DJ? Learn basic software features used to DJ. Beat match with and without sync. What makes a good mix? How to prepare an effective playlist. |
| Summer 1 | Samba |
As a whole class ensemble understand, perform and analyse Brazilian Samba music. Use ostinatos, bi-rhythms, polyrhythms to put together group performances. Develop skills on different types of percussion instruments. |
| Summer 2 | Small Band Projects |
Using the musical futures approach to learning well-known pop songs in small groups. Developing skills on instruments including guitars, ukuleles, drums and voice. Performing well known pieces in small groups. |