KS3
Aims
At KS3, students experience a modular curriculum designed to develop their aural perception, performing, composing and knowledge and understanding of music from a wide range of cultures and genres. The main skills we are looking for the boys to develop are their ability to perform on their own and in a group, their creativity when composing musical ideas and their appreciation and understanding of their own and others music. Key assessments during and at the end of each unit will ensure that students know how well they are doing and how to make progress.
Year 7
Students will first be undertaking a diagnostic assessment project, using a ‘journey through space’ as a stimulus to determine and celebrate the musical skills and understanding they have come to the school with. Later they will be studying Polyrhythmic Ostinati (repeating rhythm patterns) and percussion instruments. They will go on to look at World percussion, Indian Music, Dance Music created using music technology and chords & chord sequences.
Year 8
Students will be studying Remixes & arrangements, Pentatonic Music, The Blues, Chords & Melodies, Improvisation and how to produce music for a TV Advert. The main skills the boys should develop through Y8 are their ability to use music technology for composition, developing performing skills both on their own and in a group alongside aural perception and knowledge and understanding of different styles and genres.
KS4
Music Level 2 Certificate RSL
Music helps students to develop subject knowledge, understanding and skills, through listening to a variety of music, playing music and creating their own music. The specification places a focus on practical performance with choices catering for a wide range of interests and abilities. This four‐unit course assesses students' skills in performing as a soloist and within a group. This includes the use of music technology, which allows students to demonstrate their ability while engaging in a wide variety of music.
Topics Covered:
The course will cover:
Theoretical and contextual issues relating to styles of music
Effective performance using an instrument or the voice
Rehearsal and musicianship skills
Developing repertoire
Performing live music
The use of Music Technology
Organising a Musical Event
The course comprises one core unit and other optional units.
Assessment:
The qualification is 40% externally assessed and 60% internally assessed. The externally assessed core unit takes the form of a themed assessment under controlled conditions based on an assignment set and marked by RSL. The remaining units are assessed internally and moderated by RSL.
Course Progression:
Once a student has successfully attained the RSL qualification, he can move on to other Level 3 Music and Performing Arts qualifications. The study of music shows a very high level of commitment and determination to succeed and as such is valued by many universities for a variety of courses. Students can also consider undertaking BTEC Music Performance/ Tech Level 3.
Careers:
This can lead onto different types of music degrees, performing professionally and teaching. There are many opportunities for careers in any of the following fields:‐ Session Musician, Professional Musician, D.J, Instrument Teacher, Music Therapist, Sound Engineer and much more.
