Skip to content ↓

Music

‘Music is a world within itself. It is a language we all understand.’ - Stevie Wonder

What makes Music excellent at Chulmleigh?

Key Stage 3 Music is an opportunity for learners from all starting points to develop their ability in performing, composing and understanding music. Pupils will progress through the KS3 curriculum studying 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 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. 

The collaborative learning within the classroom helps pupils develop essential transferable 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.

Assessment

Pupils are assessed every term on the skills they have been progressing. They receive informal, verbal feedback throughout the learning process in order to support their progress. They are given regular opportunities to share their work and perform to their peers, independently or in groups. Formal feedback is received termly alongside their termly reports.

Year 7 Curriculum

Term 1

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?

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.

All Year 7 pupils participate in our weekly Rock Choir project, singing popular songs together and often quickly arriving at impressive harmonies and 2- or 3-part singing. 

Term 2

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.

Rhythm, Riffs and Ostinatos

  • Looking at music from countries across the world and analysing how music is performed and composed.
  • Rhythmic music from Africa, Drones and Ragas from India and Indonesian Gamelan music.

Term 3

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.

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.

Year 8 Curriculum

Term 1

Electronic Dance Music

  • How has Electronic Music developed through Disco, Garage, Techno and House?
  • Using LogicPro, create a piece of EDM music to a given structure using loops and samples.

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.

Term 2

Whole Class Ensemble Playing

  • Using a selection of class sets of instruments, pupils learn to perform together accurately, following either aural instructions and/or written notation
  • Follow rhythmic patterns and melody lines
  • Work in harmony and unison

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

Term 3

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

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.
     

Accordion Title

Accordion content

Cookie Policy