MUSIC – YEAR 9
The broad aim of this department at Key Stage 3
is to enable pupils from a wide spectrum of musical abilities to:
·
Develop musical
understanding and sensitivity, and to foster pupil’s lifelong musical
creativity, imagination, interest and enjoyment.
·
Develop pupil’s
musical skills, abilities and perceptions, to enable an active and rewarding
participation in each of the two modes of Listening and Appraising, and
Performing and Composing.
·
Enable pupils to locate
a wide range of music in social, historical and cultural contexts, and
encourage them to temper personal response with informed critical appraisal.
The course comprises of
4 topics which are designed to meet the requirements of the attainment targets
of the National Curriculum. The focus within each topic is on the areas of:
·
Attainment Target 1 –
Performing and Composing.
·
Attainment Target 2 –
Listening and Appraising.
Topics.
Using
a Sequencer
The
Blues
Learn
to play Guitar and perform a Pop Song
Compose
a Pop Song.
Assessment Procedures.
In music, as in all
subjects, pupils are assessed on their knowledge, their understanding and their
skills.
Methods of assessment include:
Teacher evaluation
Pupil
evaluation/comments (both written and spoken)
Audio and video recordings
Concerts
and performances both within the classroom and outside
Reports from instrumental teachers
The course provides a
wide range of imaginative and interesting materials to motivate and challenge
all pupils. Pupils will work individually, in pairs and in groups in all
projects.
The use of Information Technology is a
significant part of music education and there are many opportunities in the
scheme of work for pupils to use technological developments to create, record, transform and store music. We are currently
running fourteen music computer sequencing stations equipped with the most
up-to-date Audio Sequencing software available in the education market.
Every pupil will use the following equipment
throughout the course:
·
Fully equipped
semi-professional recording studio incorporating audio recording technology
·
Computer aided
composition and performance
·
Pitched and
non-pitched classroom percussion instruments
·
Own voice in a
variety of group and class tasks
In addition there is one Yamaha electronic
keyboard for every two pupils, allowing keyboard skills to be developed to a
high standard.
Homework is not set on
a regular basis but occasionally at the teacher’s discretion.
Individual or group
tuition is offered on a wide range of instruments. Most pupils who have an
instrumental lesson at the school are also provided with an ensemble lesson
with their instrumental teacher as part of their tuition.
All pupils are encouraged to take part in any
of the following activities:
Choir School orchestra Rock bands
Flute ensemble Brass
ensemble School production
String group Singing
ensemble