Music Department

Department Staff

Departmental Aims

The aim of the Music department is to generate a genuine lifelong love of music in all pupils through the main musical activities of listening, performing and composing.

Department Philosophy

Music is a practical subject in which students work as musicians, engaging in musical thinking. The process is intrinsic to the music curriculum; from it are derived the musical activities and programmes of study.
Three kinds of activity require musical thinking: Listening, Composing, Performing. These elements provide the foundation for the music curriculum.
Music is a universal language and as such can be enjoyed by all and accessible by all. It is the intention that students should have experience of music which encompasses a wide range of styles and cultural traditions and so lay the foundations for a lasting appreciation of music.

Music is a joyful experience. We hope that through our teaching we create a stimulating and creative environment for pupils and staff alike.

In addition to fulfilling the school aims, Music courses and activities should:

Both current practice and revisions should attempt to fulfil both the school aims and subject aims stated above.

Aural awareness and the practical skills necessary for communication through music are of central importance and are developed at each Key Stage. Throughout all years the aim is to offer pupils a broad experience of different musical styles, different periods and different cultural traditions, as well as looking at the function of music within society. The emphasis is on practical work and pupils are strongly encouraged to use their experience gained at Key Stage 1 and 2, along with any expertise gained from instrumental lessons or in other musical activities in or outside school.
All students are encouraged to use and develop their ICT skills in music to realise their creative ideas.

Resources

The Music Department has two main teaching rooms (for whole class teaching) and two practice rooms (where individual lessons take place).

Musical Activities

The music department supplies pupils with a variety of opportunities to express and develop musical skills and talent including

Instrumental Teaching

We currently offer instrumental tuition, subject to teaching time availability, on the following instruments:- flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, baritone, tenor horn, trombone, violin, cello, piano,  drum kit, guitars and singing. Other orchestral instrumental lessons can be arranged if there is sufficient interest.
There are regular performances throughout the year in which pupils’ and staff take part both in and outside of school. Some are large-scale concerts such as the Redbridge Choral Concert at the Royal Albert Hall and other events such as Masses, recital evenings. There is also a school show each year in which many pupils get involved as singers and performers. Recent productions include ‘Oliver’ and ‘Bugsy Malone’.

Curriculum

KS3

In Year 7 Pupils study music for two hours per week on a 12 week rotation with Art and Year 8 and 9 pupils study music for one hour per week on a 12 week rotation with Art and Drama. Music lessons involve practical work, allowing pupils opportunities to use a variety of resources within the department in order to fulfil a variety of stimulating tasks. Pupil’s progress is carefully monitored and feedback is given regularly with targets set in order to help pupils make further improvements.
This is a practical course, incorporating a wide variety of performing opportunities (singing and playing pitched percussion instruments and keyboards, along with ICT) both individually and in groups. Listening and composing activities are integral to what we do as well. Incorporated into the Year 7 Scheme of Work are topics on graphic scores, the elements of music and an introduction to musical notation and the keyboard followed by programme music. In Year 8 we study The Blues, Rondo – ‘Le Boeuf sur le Toit’, major/minor tonalities and chords and Ground Bass linked with an introduction to the music software ‘Reason’. Then in Year 9 the curriculum continues with the study of, Blues, Film Music, ICT intoduction and Radio shows using ICT e.g. mixing desk, microphones and music software.

KS4

In Years 10/11 the students follow the Edexcel GCSE Music course. The course consists of three main areas of assessment.

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