Music
Overview
The Music Department aims to provide opportunities for students at all levels to develop knowledge and skills that will allow them to become life-long musicians.
We encourage excellence in attitude, effort, and attainment in classroom courses and co-curricular activities, offering stimulating and challenging classroom courses that provide opportunities for self-expression and assist students and teachers to develop to their full potential.
We aim to help students make sense of sound and to appreciate the aesthetic qualities of sounds from a variety of sources, while encouraging students to be active listeners and to learn unique approaches to problem solving through both listening and making music.
We promote music literacy through the development of knowledge and skills relating to a variety of musical styles, genres, technologies, and structures and provide students with the opportunity to develop aural skills through listening, composing, and performing, and a deeper understanding of music history, biography and theory.
Courses
Year 9 Music is a compulsory one-term course aiming to provide students with a broad music experience through Year 9 General Music. This course has a largely practical focus, exploring both the keyboard and guitar, while also providing a grounding in music theory and focused listening. Students who are identified as having significant prior learning and/or significant ability in music will be encouraged to audition for a place in the Year 9 Music Academy.
Year 10 Music continues on from the learning in Year 9 music and lays the foundation for future study in music in a two-term course that aims to introduce a variety of important skills and concepts that students will encounter at the senior level. The course centers around units in music theory, keyboard and guitar skills.
We offer two complimentary strands of music at senior level: Music (traditional music courses) and Musicianship (music technology and contemporary music).
Music courses focus on developing well-rounded musicians with skills in creating, recreating and appreciating music. Students are encouraged to compose, perform, listen to and analyse music with increasing sophistication, and are introduced to a wide variety of music styles and genres.
Musicianship courses are focused on developing skills for the contemporary musician. Music technology plays a big part in the music industry today, whether the equipment used: microphone, PA, mixer etc. or the process used: computer based composition or recording, so learning to use and understand this equipment forms the basis of Musicianship courses. Technology is a first language to today’s students and it provides opportunities to teach and learn many of the traditional music skills plus essential practical skills for students serious about making music in a contemporary setting.
Set in a purpose-built music suite with newly refurbished classrooms, a state-of-the-art recording studio and a pod of dedicated music computer workstations, students enjoy the best resources available.
Why choose music?
Music courses are not just for students who want to go on to become professional musicians. Music supports students’ learning in other areas and contributes to the development of a range of skills that employers are looking for in candidates.
Communication skills
- reading and writing music
- performing as an individual and group member, composing original music
Social and co-operative skills
- listening and performing
- collaborating
- contributing to music in the school, family and community
Problem solving skills
- improvisation
- imagination and initiative
- using critical judgement in composition and performance
Self-management and competitive skills
- completing tasks to deadlines
- demonstrating commitment, perseverance and responsibility in contributing to music groups
- adapting to new situations and challenges
- working under pressure
Physical skills
- improving coordination and fine motor skills through learning on an instrument
- developing confidence
Information skills
- analysing and synthesising information about past and present composers and their music
Numeracy skills
- using a variety of mathematical skills in music theory and in composition
- recognising patterns and permutations in rhythm and time.
Work and study skills
- taking responsibility for own learning through private practice
- developing motivation and skills for lifelong learning
- organising time and meeting deadlines
