Garth Hill CollegeMusic - Curriculum Page
Subject Leader – Mrs Stewart
Music - Years 7, 8 and 9*
Music is taught once a week.
Each unit is approximately 6 weeks
Topics studied
Year 7:
- Building Bricks
- Keyboard Skills
- I’ve got Rhythm
- Form and Structure
- What makes a good song
- Voiceworks
Year 8:
- Hooks and Riffs
- Soundtracks
- Musicals
- Feeling the Blues
- Computer and Video Game
- Saharan Sounds
Year 9:
- Unit 1: Dance Music
*Year 9 Information to be confirmed*
All pupils will be able to access Music through theoretical training. At least 15 minutes of every Music lesson will be theory based, with input from teachers about key aspects and pupils then working individually to meet and exceed learning goals. Pupils will be able to identify and use key musical elements through notation.
Pupils need to listen with increasing discrimination to a wide range of music from great composers and musicians.
Activities will include:
- Listening to, identifying and performing key features of different musical styles
- Being able to aurally identify different styles of music
- Be able to use the features of the musical styles to compose their own songs
Pupils need to identify and use the inter-related dimensions of music expressively and with increasing sophistication, including use of tonalities, different types of scales and other musical devices.
Pupils will use a range of instruments, in small groups to explore the different units of work.
** They will work in practice rooms, encouraging independence, collaboration and organisation skills
Assessment
Each unit is assessed by way of a appraising and performance task. Theory is assessed by way of a written interim assessment and a final written exam which is taken during lesson time.
Home Learning
- Home Learning is set regularly and will always be available on Teams.
- Home learning will consist of at least one task every 2 weeks. There will be a mixture of practical, listening and theory tasks to complete.
How Parents and Carers Can Support
- Encourage your child to ask teachers for help if there are any difficulties
- Encourage your child to listen to a variety of styles of music at home
- Encourage your child to show you what they have been learning in class
- Encourage your child to attend any after school revision sessions
Additional Support Available/Useful Links
Reading List
-
Forming a Band (Paperback)
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Recording and Promoting Your Music (Paperback)
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The Impact of Technology in Music (Hardback)
Assessment Framework
Assessment Schedules
Knowledge Organiser
Learning Journey
MUSIC - YEAR 10*
*information to be confirmed*
Exam Board
Pearson BTEC Tech Awards - Level 1/2 BTEC Tech Award in Music Practice
BTEC Tech Award Music Practice
Content
Music - Year 11
Exam Board
Eduqas Music GCSE
Content
This specification enables learners to develop knowledge and understanding of music through four interrelated areas of study:
Area of study 1: Musical Forms and Devices
Area of study 2: Music for Ensemble
Area of study 3: Film Music
Area of study 4: Popular Music.
The specification has three components based on the three skills of performing, composing and appraising. An integrated approach to the three skills is encouraged through each area of study and serves to highlight the importance of the relationship between composer, performer and audience. Knowledge and understanding of each area of study is assessed explicitly in
Component 3. However, learners are also required to perform and compose music using conventions, styles or idioms linked to at least one area of study. Learners may choose the same or different areas of study for Components 1 and 2. Learners will also have the opportunity to follow their own musical interests in composition and performance.
Area of study 1: Musical Forms and Devices
In this area of study, learners place music within a broad historical context. However, it is not expected that they develop a detailed chronology of music aside from an awareness of the principal features of Baroque, Classical and Romantic music. The area of study focuses on understanding structural forms and devices across a variety of genres and styles from the Western Classical Tradition 1650-1910. This area of study includes one prepared extract which learners must study in depth.
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Movement 3, Minuet: Mozart (1787) Learners must study the wholeof Movement 3, including the trio.
Area of study 2: Music for Ensemble
In this area of study, learners develop understanding of sonority and texture, including instrumental and vocal groupings as appropriate to their context. Through listening to and/or performing examples from chamber music, musical theatre, jazz and blues, learners will study texture, including how composers combine musical lines in a variety of textures.
Area of study 3: Film Music
In this area of study, learners will develop an understanding of film music including the use of timbre, tone colour anddynamics for effect.
Through listening to and/or performing examples of film music learners will study how:
- composers use musical elements appropriately to respond to a specific commission
- composers use leitmotifs and thematic transformation to develop thematic material
- to respond to a given stimulus or commission such as words or pictures
- musical features are adopted by composers to create a mood in descriptive music
- performers interpret a composition
- the audience and/or venue affect the performance and/or composition
- instrumental and/or vocal timbres are used to create colour/mood
- dynamics and contrast are used for the creation of special effects
- music technology may be used to further enhance sonority
- minimalistic techniques are used in film music.
Area of study 4: Popular Music
In this area of study, learners will develop an understanding of popular music: rock and pop, bhangra and fusion (of different styles).
This area of study includes one prepared extract which learners must study in depth.
- Since You’ve Been Gone: Rainbow (released 1979)
Assessment Appraising
Written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes
- 40% of qualification
- 96 marks
This examination will assess knowledge and understanding of music through the following four areas of study:
Area of study 1: Musical Forms and Devices
Area of study 2: Music for Ensemble
Area of study 3: Film Music
Area of study 4: Popular Music.
- The appraising examination will consist of eight questions, two on each area of study. Of the eight questions, six will be on unprepared musical extracts and two on extracts set by WJEC which relate to two areas of study. Learners are encouraged to study the scores of the set extracts in preparation for the examination. However, scores must not be taken into the examination; sections of the scores will be printed on the examination paper when requiredfor the question.
- The unprepared extracts played in the examination will be from the genres, styles or periods specified within eacharea of study.
- The majority of questions in the examination will be either multiple choice or short answer questions. However, there will be one question which requires learners to write a longer response to a piece of music.
Unit 2: Performing:
Total duration of performances: 4-6 minutes Assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated 30% of qualification
- 72 marks
All learners are required to perform a minimum of two pieces of which at least one must be as part of an ensemble performance lasting at least one minute. The other piece(s) may be performed either solo and/or as part of an ensemble. One piece must be linked to one of the four areas of study. The minimum expected performance level is Grade 3.
Unit 3: Composing:
Total duration of compositions: 3-6 minutes
Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated 30% of qualification
- 72 marks
All learners are required to create and develop musical ideas in relation to given and chosen briefs. Learners must submittwo compositions with a total playing time of between 3-6 minutes.
- A composition which responds to a brief set by WJEC. The brief will be released during the first week of September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken. Learners select one from a choice of four briefs, each related to a different area of study:
Area of study 1: Musical Forms and Devices
Area of study 2: Music forEnsemble
Area of study 3: Film Music
Area of Study 4: PopularMusic.
- A free composition. Learners will compose a piece of music in a style of their own choice. Learners will set their own brief for this composition. The brief itself is not assessed; however, learners are assessed on their musical response to the brief.
Assessment Schedules
Knowledge Organiser