Music Subject Overview

Statement of intent

Music at St Mary’s focusses on the development of the whole person whilst raising the cultural capital of all who study it. The curriculum is vertically integrated and designed to develop both the practical skills needed for the performance and creation of Music as well as the knowledge of its historical development through the ages.

Music is taught once per fortnight in Year 7 and Year 8; students select to study it as an option in Year 9 where they undertake a mini GCSE.

Music in KS3 is focussed around the three key areas of study; Composition, Listening and Performing. Students will listen to, review and evaluate music from across a range of historical periods including the works of the great composers and musicians. They will learn to sing and use their voices as well as creating and composing their own music on the keyboards. Students have the opportunity to study a musical instrument and to use technology on a regular basis. Music is taught in a specific suite with Apple Mac computers, all of which have the latest technology to enable music to be created more easily. Students also understand how music is created, produced and communicated through the inter-related techniques of pitch; duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations. At KS4 students study the GCSE Music curriculum from WJEC/Eduqas.

In addition to the curriculum, Music plays an active part in the extra-curricular life of the Academy. There is an annual Academy musical, an Advent service and also a Summer soiree. The Department runs regular theatre trips in the North West and we have ran an annual successful theatre trip to London prior to the pandemic.

Key Concepts

Listening

Each lesson focuses on one of the key elements of music: Dynamics, Rhythm, Pitch, Structure, Melody, Instruments, Tempo/Texture, Harmony. Students are exposed to a range of musical styles and pieces in line with the NC guidelines. Students also are encouraged to discuss the social and historical context surrounding each piece of music.

Composing

Students study the four key elements; Song writing, Programme music, Melody and Accompaniment and Improvisation. Pupils will play chord sequences from a range of familiar pop songs and be able to improvise on a key board paying attention to phrase and structure. Pupils also use percussion and percussive sounds and explore melodic lines.

Performance

Students will explore a range of instruments including drums, guitar and voice. They will be encouraged to explore the rhythmic scope of melodies following staff notation and play a piece based on chords.

Curriculum Map

Year 7 Overview

Music in Year 7 is based around the introducing the key skills of and musical appreciation. Pupils will be assessed on their performance skills (usually the keyboard) as well as their understanding of notation and musical forms.

Year 7 Topics

Autumn Term

Subject: Introduction to Music

Key concepts:
DR P SMITH.
Dynamics.
Rhythm.
Pitch.
Structure.
Melody.
Instruments.
Tempo/texture.
Harmony.

Domains of knowledge:
Listening

Subject: Graphic Scores

Key concepts
Musical and Graphic Notation

Domains of knowledge
Singing
Lent Term
Subject: Instruments of the Orchestra

Key concepts:
Time Signatures.
Instrument Families:
- String.
- Bass.
- Percussion.
- Brass.
Orchestra.
Conductor.
Musician.

Domains of knowledge:
Conducting Skills.
Sound production.
Instrument components.

Key Concepts:
Conductor Skills.
Instrument Families.
Summer Term

Subject: Composition Skills

Key concepts:
Using the elements to form a piece of music.
Rhythm.
Pitch.
Melody.
Instruments.
Time.
Signature.

Domains of knowledge
Listening.
Composing.

Subject: Improvisation.

Key concepts:
Composing.

Year 8 Overview

Music in Year 8 is based around enhancing prior knowledge and introducing new musical forms styles and genres of music through the three main elements; Composing, Performing and Appraising.

Year 8 Topics

Autumn Term

Subject: Viking Voices

Key concepts:
Music was created for more than entertainment.
Historical.
Playing Viking songs.
Correct singing posture.
DR P SMITH (elements of music).
Staff Notation (notes and rhythm).

Domains of knowledge:
Voice.
Correct piano playing.
Staff Notation.

Subject: Viking Voices

Domains of Knowledge:
Performing.
Rehearsal skills.
Lent Term

Subject: Film Music

Key concepts:
Music has to be compatible with the scene.
Leitmotif.
Conjunct Melody.
Connected Melody.

Domains of knowledge:
Music understanding.
Instrument knowledge.
Composition.

Domains of Knowledge:
Composition.
Music Understanding.
Summer Term

Subject: Composing to a brief

Key concepts:
Composition.
Popular Music.
DR P SMITH elements.
Theoretical Music.

Domains of knowledge:
Musical Notation.
Music Theory.
Improvisational skills.

Domains of knowledge:
Composition.
Staff Notation.

Year 9 Overview

Students focus on the three aspects of Composing, Performance and Appraising.

Year 9 Topics

Autumn Term

Subject: Theory in Africa by Toto

Key concepts:
Staff Notation.
Music Theory.
Popular Music.

Domains of knowledge:
Score layout.
Structure.
Tonality.
Instrumentation.
Basic Music Theory.
DR P SMITH musical elements.
Riff.
Ostinato.
Hook.
Major or Minor key signatures.
Melodic devices.
Lent Term

Subject: Composition

Key concepts:
Creating a piece of music to suit a GCSE brief.

Domains of knowledge:
DR P SMITH.
Structure.
Instrumentation.
Creating music to fit a brief.
Melodic Devices.
Accompaniment patterns.
Use of dynamics.
Chord Sequences.
Composing to a stimulus.
Improvisation.
Summer Term

Subject: Performing

Key concepts:
Performing your chosen instrument.

Domains of knowledge:
Projection.
Performance skills.
Projection.
Fluency.
Technical control.
Technical accuracy.
Reading TAB notation.
Reading Staff Notation.
Expression.
Interpretation.
Stylistic Awareness.

KS4 Overview

Students follow the Eduqas Specification in Music. This is assessed through. Component title are: Composing (30%), Performing (30%) and Appraising (40%). This is available to all students even those who haven’t studied the subject at GCSE.

Year 10 Topics

Autumn Term

Subject: Set Work ‘Badinerie’ By Bach

Key concepts:
Understanding and learning the theoretical aspects of the set work.

Domains of knowledge:
Bach.
Binary Form.
Tonality.
Melodic devices.
Cadences.
Instrumentation.
Chord progression.

Assessment:
AO3
Demonstrate and apply musical knowledge.

AO4
Use appraising skills to make evaluative and critical judgements about music.
Lent Term

Subject: Composing free composition

Key concepts:
Using DR P SMITH to compose a free composition.

Domains of knowledge:
Structure.
Inspiration.
Development of musical ideas.
Technical control.
Motif development.
Technology use.

Assessment:
AO2
Compose and develop musical ideas with technical control and coherence.

AO3
Demonstrate and apply musical knowledge.

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.
Summer Term

Subject: Performance Skills

Key concepts:
Each pupil will work towards either an ensemble or solo performance.

Domains of knowledge:
Projection.
Performance skills.
Audience interaction.
Projection.
Fluency.
Technical control.
Technical accuracy.
Reading TAB notation.
Reading Staff Notation.
Expression.
Interpretation.
Stylistic Awareness.
Empathy.

Assessment:
AO1
Perform with technical control, expression and interpretation.

AO2
Compose and develop musical ideas with technical control and coherence.

AO3
Demonstrate and apply musical knowledge.

Year 11 Topics

Autumn Term

Subject: Set Work ‘Africa’ by Toto

Key Concepts:
Understanding and learning the theoretical aspects of the set work.

Domains of knowledge:
Verse, Chorus.
Structure.
Tonality.
Instrumentation.
Basic Music.
Theory.
Riff.
Ostinato.
Hook.
Major or Minor key signatures.
Melodic devices.
Harmony.
Texture.
Chord sequences.
Lent Term

Subject: Composing to a brief

Key Concepts:
Composing to a set brief outlined by the exam board. Briefs change every year and are released on the 1st Sept.

Domains of knowledge:
Structure.
Inspiration.
Development of musical ideas.
Technical control.
Motif development.
Technology use.
Response to the brief.
Instrument choice.
Summer Term

Subject: Examination preparation

Key concepts:
Revising the AOS ready for the exam.
AOS1: Structure and Form.
AOS 2: Ensemble Music.
AOS3: Film Music.
AOS4: Popular Music

Domains of knowledge:
Structure.
Melodic Devices.
Tonality.
Instrumentation.
Ensemble playing.
Understanding the use of music in film.
Hook.
Riff.
Ostinato.
DR P SMITH.
Theory.
Sonority.
Texture.
Timbre.
Colour.
Tone.
Dynamics.

Subject Overviews

St Mary's Catholic Academy

Head Teacher: Mr. Simon Eccles

St. Walburga's Road, Blackpool, FY3 7EQ
01253 396286
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Part of The Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi Academy Trust

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