Music
Head of Department: Ms Caitlin Meyer
Exam board: Edexcel
Power standards
1) Students can sing with accuracy and stylistic integrity
2) Students can improvise appropriately and musically with stylistic integrity
3)Students can compose a piece of music which has a clear sense of style, structure, and purpose.
4) Students can perform an appropriately challenging part showing awareness of musicality
5) Students can communicate the principles of music theory through performance, analysis, and composition
6) Students can demonstrate understanding of the relationship between music and the world around them.
Key stage 3 curriculum
Our aim at AGFS is to ensure that every student should gain the necessary skills to be a good rounded musician. They are given the opportunity to create, perform and critique music from around the world and various genres. Above all, their experience of music making should be fun, challenging and exciting.
Year 7:
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Content covered |
What is being assessed in the end of term exam |
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Term 1 |
(a) clapping rhythms (b) notating rhythms (c) layered ostinato composition
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1a. Notating rhythms listening test 1b. Notating pitches listening test 1c. Terminology Quiz Practical assessment: composition and performance of original ostinati
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Term 2 |
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2a. Solo performance 2b. Question and answer melody composition 2c. Terminology Quiz |
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Term 3 |
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3a. Elements of music listening test 3b. End of year listening exam Practical Assessment: compositional practice 3c. Terminology Quiz |
Year 8:
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Content covered |
What is being assessed in the end of term exam |
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Term 1 |
create hooks, riffs and ostinatos within a musical structure.
contributions to group performances taking a solo part.
can affect the way music is used.
riffs and ostinatos and create their own with support. |
Practical Assessment: Compose and perform an ostinato in small ensemble settings. Theory Assessment Terminology Quiz |
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Term 2 |
(a) Sight-singing pentatonic melodies (b) Listening: Bartok Dance Suite ‘folk’ dance (c) Notating pentatonic pitches and rhythms revision (d) Composing a pentatonic folk dance |
2a. Notating pentatonic pitches and rhythms test 2b. Pentatonic folk dance composition |
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Term 3 |
(a) Listening: the characters and plot of Bizet’s Carmen (b) Performing: the toreador song (voice) and prelude (keyboard) (c) Habanera composition: using major and minor keys
(a) Listening and analysis: Carmen Prelude (b) Entr’acte composition: combining melodies and broken chords |
3a. End of year listening exam 3b. Variations on a Classical march composition |
Year 9:
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Content covered |
What is being assessed in the end of term exam |
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Term 1 |
(a) Ground bass performing: Pachelbel Canon, Stand By Me (b) Pitches, chords and key signatures (c) Ground bass / 4 chord song composition
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1a. Pitches, chords and key signatures test 1b. Practical assessment: Ground bass composition 1c. Solo performance |
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Term 2 |
(a) Listening: Steve Reich and Philip Glass (b) Minimalism composition
(a) Performing: improvising and the 12-bar blues chord sequence (b) Listening and analysing: Louis Armstrong West End Blues |
2a. Minimalism composition 2b. West End Blues listening test 2c. Blues performing practical assessment. |
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Term 3 |
sequencing.
listening, research and presentation. |
3a. Solo performance 3b. End of year listening exam |
Key stage 4 curriculum
The GCSE Music curriculum is broken into three strands of performing (30%), composing (30%) and listening and appraising (40%). Students must be confident enough to perform on a solo instrument and must commit to take peripatetic lessons.
Students will study the Edexcel GCSE Music Specification over Year 10 and Year 11.
Performance:
- 1 solo performance
Composition:
- 1 free composition in any genre
All coursework is to be completed during Year 11, so students will begin their work on these units in Year 10.
Listening and Appraising:
Written exam on eight pieces and listening extracts from four areas of study
- Classical Music from 1750-1820
- Vocal Music
- Music for Stage and Screen
- Fusion
Year 10:
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Topics |
What is being assessed in the end of term exam |
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Term 1 Music for Stage and Screen |
Performance Students will be expected to perform a solo piece on their main instrument or voice. Composition Students will study compositional skills: chord construction and sequences, cadences, structure and instrumentation Listening and Appraising Students will study the two set pieces from this genre: “Music for a While” and “Killer Queen”. Related listening to further contextualise the genre will be studied to recognise key features of the genre.
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Solo performance
Basic composition techniques
Listening and appraising of two set works |
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Term 2 Vocal Music |
Performance Students will rehearse and perform in an ensemble situation Composition Students will complete their “free” composition in a genre of their choosing. Listening and Appraising Students will study the two set pieces from this genre: “Defying Gravity” from the musical Wicked and “Main Title/Rebel Blockade Runner”. Related listening to further contextualise the genre will be studied to recognise key features of the genre.
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Ensemble performance
Free composition draft 1
Listening and appraising, four set works |
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Term 3 Fusion |
Performance Students will perform a traditional West African piece on djembes as part of a class ensemble as well as developing their own instrumental studies further in instrumental lessons and workshops. Composition Students will study compositional techniques specific to the four areas of study in preparation for the free brief composition. Listening and Appraising Students will study the two set pieces from this genre: “Release” and “Samba”. Related listening to further contextualise the genre will be studied to recognise key features of the genre.
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Solo performance
Completion of free composition
Listening and appraising of 6 set works and unfamiliar listening |
Year 11:
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Topics |
What is being assessed in the end of term exam |
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Term 1 Instrumental Music 1700–1820 |
Performance Students will work in small ensembles to rehearse their final performance of their ensemble piece. Composition Students will select a brief set by the exam board and compose a piece of music to adhere to the brief. Listening and Appraising Students will study the two set pieces from this genre:
Related listening to further contextualize the genre will be studied to recognize key features of the genre. |
Ensemble performance
Brief composition
Full listening and appraising |
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Term 2 Completion of Coursework |
Performance Students will work with their instrumental teacher to rehearse and perform their final solo performance. Composition Students will work in controlled conditions to complete both their compositions. Listening and Appraising Students will re-visit each of the 8 set works and will complete practice exam papers and essay questions to prepare for the written exam.
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Final solo and ensemble performance
Final brief composition
Full listening and appraising |
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Term 3 Revision |
Listening and Appraising Students will re-visit each of the 8 set works and will complete practice exam papers and essay questions to prepare for the written exam
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GCSE examination |
Feedback
Written feedback is given every 5-6 lessons as a minimum and verbal feedback is given every lesson. Students received personalised individual feedback on coursework components in KS4 and written feedback on theory work and summative assessments.
Ambition and careers
A GCSE in Music can provide many desirable skills that are looked highly upon by employers, such as: commitment, resilience, teamwork and dedication. A GCSE in Music compliments other subjects and can lead to an A Level or BTEC in Music, Music technology, Music production or performing arts.
