SBL Online

Years 7 and 8

Music at Key Stage 3 is taught in-line with National Curriculum and QCA requirements and guidelines. Throughout the course, students will be given every opportunity to perform on a broad range of instruments, compose in a range of styles and listen to and appraise not only their own performances but also recording of music from many areas of the world. In each module, great emphasis is placed on practical music making and learning about music through composing , performing, music technology and listening. In addition to classroom tuition, all students have the opportunity to further enhance their music learning through individual tuition in a number of instruments as well as involvement in a wide range of extended curricular activities.

Year 9 – Pre-Diploma: Creative & Media

Year 9 students are following a new Pre-diploma course in Creative & Media, designed to give a “taste” of what choices may be available to them when the new Specialised Diplomas are introduced in September 2008. The theme this year is Broadcasting, with visiting speakers from the Creative & Media industries providing the stimulus for a skills building unit in composing, performing and listening. Students will then be commissioned to produce their own television advert on an environmental theme using the skills they have gained. Students will have the opportunity to compose music using “ Garageband “ software on Apple Mac computers.

Key Stage 4

GCSE Music
The course is practically based around five areas of study :

Music for Film – including ‘ The Western’, Classic monster/horror, science fiction and ‘Thrillers'.
Music for Dance – a range from the 17th century to the present day.
Music for Special Events – in a variety of musical styles
Orchestral Landmarks – a study of the development of the orchestra over three centuries.
The Popular Song since 1960 - including the influence of World Music and Music Technology.

Students listen to, analyse, compose and perform music from each area of study.

BTEC First Diploma in Music

The BTEC in music offers a new and exciting opportunity for students with an interest in Performing, Composing, Music Technology or any area associated with music. Students contribute to Planning and Creating a Music Product in which their individual strengths and interests are fully utilised and extended. All students follow a specialist unit associated with the Music Business. Students select four additional areas of study drawn from an extensive range of specialist options including, Solo Performing, Exploring Musical Composition , Working as an Ensemble, Understanding Music and Music Technology to name a few.

Post-16

Music A Level

Pupils in Years 12 and 13 study the Edexcel specification for AS and A2 Music GCE qualifications. They will study

Performance
Performing throughout the course
Composition
Compositional techniques
Analysis of set works (Areas of Study)
Listening
The course demands performing, composing, listening and analytical skills in almost equal measure. You will improve your skills in performing and composing in a range of styles. They will listen to a wide variety of music and develop a more informed appreciation of how and why it was written and/or performed.

At present, Year 12 pupils study the Popular Music and Music for Large Ensemble Areas of Study. One of these areas is then carried forward into Year 13 to be studied in greater depth in terms of continuity and change. Year 13 currently study Popular Music and Jazz and Music for Film .

Our preferred topics for the study of Compositional Techniques are 32 Bar Song ( Bass Line) and Serialism options.
At A2 candidates are able to either submit a portfolio of compositions or to give a 20 minute recital.

Music Technology A Level

Students complete 3 areas of study

Music from the Western Classical tradition (AS and A2).
The development of music technology (AS and A2).
Music for the moving image (A2 only).
Through these areas of study you will learn how to:

Produce performances using sequencing software in a range of musical styles, develop the skills required to make high quality recordings of musical performances, learn how to compose and arrange using music technology, develop your knowledge of the principles and the development of music technology and learn how to control and interpret data.