Music

Key Stage 3

Curriculum Intent

The Music Department aims to create a supportive and vibrant environment which encourages all scholars to achieve their best. Through both classroom and enrichment activities, the department promotes spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. We endeavour to make music an enjoyable experience for all scholars, regardless of their previous level of experience or expertise. From the beginning of Year 7, scholars are immersed in performance. In lessons, scholars are encouraged to develop not only their musicianship, but also key skills such as communication, problem solving, self-awareness, teamwork, application of number and aural awareness. Those that choose to learn an instrument will be able to bring these skills to the course as well as experiencing the immense personal satisfaction that playing an instrument brings.

From studying the course, scholars should be able to demonstrate their overarching knowledge and skills associated with the course content by:

Performing
Composing and developing musical ideas
Demonstrating and applying musical knowledge
Using appraising skills to make evaluative and critical judgements about music

The Music course will encourage our scholars to:

Engage actively in the process of music study
Develop performing skills in groups
Develop composing skills to organise musical ideas
Recognise links between the integrated activities of performing, composing and appraising
Broaden musical experience and interests, develop imagination and foster creativity
Develop knowledge, understanding and skills needed to communicate effectively as musicians
Develop awareness of a variety of instruments, styles and approaches to performing and composing
Develop awareness of music technologies and their use in the creation and presentation of music
Develop as effective and independent learners with enquiring minds
Reflect on and evaluate their own and others’ music
Engage with and appreciate the diverse heritage of music, in order to promote personal, social, intellectual and cultural development.

Key Stage 4

Curriculum Intent

As a very varied discipline, Music GCSE is recognised as a rigorous academic subject and as excellent preparation for many A-Level subjects as it demands a wide range of skills which sit well with both Arts and Science subjects. The GCSE course allows scholars to study Music as a practical, intellectual and creative subject, covering a wide range of styles of music, including classical, jazz, film music, pop and world musics.

This course will build on the skills, knowledge and understanding set out in the whole KS3 subject content for music.

From studying the course, scholars should be able to demonstrate their overarching knowledge and skills associated with the course content by:

Performing with technical control, expression and interpretation
Composing and develop musical ideas with technical control and coherence
Demonstrating and applying musical knowledge
Using appraising skills to make evaluative and critical judgements about music

The Music course will encourage our scholars to:

Engage actively in the process of music study
Develop performing skills individually and in groups to communicate musically with fluency and control of the resources used
Develop composing skills to organise musical ideas and make use of appropriate resources
recognise links between the integrated activities of performing, composing and appraising and how this informs the development of music
Broaden musical experience and interests, develop imagination and foster creativity
Develop knowledge, understanding and skills needed to communicate effectively as musicians
Develop awareness of a variety of instruments, styles and approaches to performing and composing
Develop awareness of music technologies and their use in the creation and presentation of music
Recognise contrasting genres, styles and traditions of music, and develop some awareness of musical chronology
Develop as effective and independent learners with enquiring minds
Reflect on and evaluate their own and others’ music
Engage with and appreciate the diverse heritage of music, in order to promote personal, social, intellectual and cultural development.

GCSE Music (Exam Board: WJEC/Eduqas)

Component 1: Performing

Total duration of performances: 4-6 minutes
Non-Exam Assessment: Internally assessed, externally moderated
30% of qualification
36 marks each (total of 72 marks)

A minimum of two pieces, one of which must be an ensemble performance of at least one minute duration. The other piece(s) may be either solo and/or ensemble. One of the pieces performed must link to an area of study of the learner’s choice.

Component 2: Composing

Total duration of compositions: 3-6 minutes
Non-Exam Assessment: Internally assessed, externally moderated
30% of qualification
36 marks each (total of 72 marks)

Two compositions, one of which must be in response to a brief set by WJEC. Learners will choose one brief from a choice of four, each one linked to a different area of study. The briefs will be released during the first week of September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken. The second composition is a free composition for which learners set their own brief.

Component 3: Appraising

Written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes (approximately)
40% of qualification
Total of 96 marks

This component is assessed via a listening examination.

Eight questions in total, two on each of the 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

Two of the eight questions are based on extracts set by WJEC.

Useful Links

Further Course Information: GCSE Music | Eduqas

Instrumental Tuition Provision

The Trust provides free instrumental lessons to scholars in Years 7-9, as well as to those who pursue GCSE Music in Years 10 and 11. These are delivered by specialist teachers from Nottingham Music Service. We currently provide lessons on the following instruments:

Keyboards
Guitar
Drums
Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello)
Brass (Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone)
Woodwind (Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone)

To support scholars in learning a musical instrument, we also provide an opportunity to borrow instruments with no charge.

If your child would like to learn a musical instrument, please ask them to collect a letter from their music teacher or contact Mr L Potter (Head of Music).

Djanogly City Academy is currently leading the way in terms of providing this provision in the city, and our achievements have been acknowledged by other schools in the district. We have also recently been awarded the Music Mark.

Music

Curriculum Overview