Music
About the Music Department
The music department allows pupils to inspire, create and thrive. The lessons are all about creative music making with a wide variety of instruments and recording studio.
The department puts on at least 2 concerts a year where pupils audition to take part and there is a range of years and styles taking place.
The department runs GCSE Music for key stage 4, encouraging pupils to perform and develop their knowledge of music and the music industry. Pupils who take thiscourses go on to college, to study a variety of A-levels (Music, Tech etc.) and BTECs (Performing Arts etc.), with a number continuing into higher education degree courses.
The Music department works closely with the Drama department putting on the school show and our West End Theatre trip to London, where pupils in the past have been given the chance to see 2 musicals, experience a backstage tour of a theatre and look around the O2 British Music Experience.
The Music department also hosts a number of workshops from Gamelan Orchestras, African drumming to Taiko drumming.
Music Department Staff
Mr Greenway - Head of Department
Mrs Long
Instrumental Teachers
| Mr P White | Piano and Cello Teacher | |
| Mrs Moore | Piano and Keyboard Teacher | |
| Mrs J Arthur | Violin and Viola Teacher | |
| Mr J Riches | Brass Teacher | |
| Mrs W Harding | Percussion Teacher | |
| Mrs A Rosic | Classical Guitar Teacher | |
| Mr M Bereen | Woodwind Teacher | |
| Mrs S Ludford | Woodwind Teacher | |
| Mr D Reece | Electric Guitar and Bass Guitar Teacher |
Key Stage 3
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
A wide variety of music styles are taught in key stage 3 to introduce pupils to this diverse subject.
Some of the areas covered are -
Musical Elements - Intro to musical elements and to provide a blanket basics for year group.
Renaissance Dance Music - Focus on period history and learning about dance suites.
Serialism/Chromaticism - Period history and use of atonality.
African Drumming - Focus on drumming techniques and polyrhythm.
Musical Cycles - Focus on Gamelan, cannons and Minimalism.
Music & Media - Use of sound in film and TV.
Programme Music - Set a scene/mood through sound focus on melody and notation skills.
Classical Music - Focus on period history and learning about the Minuet dance.
Club Dance Music - Developing sequencing skills through a composition and remixing.
Processional Music - Music used for out doors entertainment, focus on Sambra
Romanticism - Timbre learning about orchestra and motif development
Rock Music - Focus on guitar skills and small group ensemble performance.
Singing for the Stars - Develop part/harmony vocal techniques eg. backing singing/piano styles.
The Blues - Focus on period history and learning about the 12 bar blues chord structure through song and intro to improvisation blues scale.
Cool Keys - Focus on developing blues through improvisation and performance.
Key Stage 4
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
Areas of study -
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Music for stage and screen
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Instrumental music 1700 - 1820
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Vocal music - bands
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Fusions - jazz/fusion/world music
GCSE music is an interesting, practical and challenging course. It is strongly recommended that pupils have some for of extra instrumental lesson, which can be provided from Hampshire Music Service at school or privately, because the performance element of this course is demanding.
Its is suggested that pupils take part in one of the School's Music Ensembles to help them develop their ensemble skills.
Assessment
Composing (30%) This section is made up of two compositiions, both original pieces of music , one set to a brief from the exam board and the other free choice.
Performing (30%) This section is made up of two recorded performances on pupils' specialist instrument or voice, completed in controlled conditions. There is a requirement to have a minimum of a 4 minute performance.
Listening Paper (40%) This will comprise of a written examination paper, which will be sat in the summer of Year 11. The paper will test the pupil's understanding of music studies throughout the course.
Career opportunities and progression routes
Music is a highly regarded subject by employers as it develops a range of skills such as logical thinking, communication and team work. Music also improves confidence and develops problem solving. Pupils who have taken GCSE have continued on to -
Further AS/A Level in Music Technology /Music
BTEC Performing Arts
Professional Musician
Orchestral Musician
Session Musician
Working in recording studios - mixing and recording musicians work.
Music Teacher - either classroom or private peripatetic lessons
Music Therapist - working with disabled childen/adults through music as a therapy and form of communication