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Music

‘My idea is that there is music in the air, music all around us; the world is full of it, and you simply take as much as you require.’ Edward Elgar (Composer)

Our aim at KS3 is to unlock pupil creativity (through our CREATE Values), find hidden talents and build confidence. As well as developing instrumental skill and theoretical knowledge, it is also very important for students to have an understanding of (and appreciation for) a range of musical traditions. 

Through the application of the CPA CREATE VALUES students develop Collaboration, Resilience, Excellence, Adaptability, Tenacity and Enterprise. Through Listening, Performance and Composition skills students are preparing themselves for wider opportunities and/or further musical study at KS4/5. Musical progress is assessed via the CREATE STEPS, Commencing, Rising, Evolving, Adept, Trained and Expert. 

KS3 Music allows all students to experience practical music-making and performance both through our broad Curriculum and extensive Co-Curricular provision. 

We want all students to develop composition skills in order to understand the building blocks of music and its creation within society. All students will experience live music during their time at the Collegiate and be able to show their appreciation of all musical genres, applying their understanding of the Elements of Music to the music around them.

Year 7  |  Year 8  |  Year 9  |  GCSE Music  |  A-Level Music  |  Extra-curricular Music

Year 7

Year 7 Programme of Study

  • Choir of the Year Competition
  • Elements of Music
  • Reading and Composing Rhythms
  • Programme Music Composition & Instrument Sonority 
  • Pitch notation and Keyboard Performance


Year 7 Instrumental project

  • All Year 7 will also have an opportunity to learn an instrument integrated with our Programmes of Study. Each student will be allocated their own instrument. Students will learn how to read music, make a sound, play individually and as an ensemble.

Students are expected to practice as part of their independent study.

Aquila – Trombone
Orion – Trumpet
Pegasus – Violin
Phoenix – Trumpet

Year 8

Year 8 Programme of Study 

  • Music for Social Change (Song Writing) – Song Composition & Performance
  • Baroque Music (1600-1750) – Ground Bass Performance & Texture
  • Classical Music  (1750-1820) – Theme and Variation Composition

Year 9

Year 9 Programme of Study 

  • The Evolution of Popular song – Performance and Improvisation  
  • Music for Video Game – Performance & Creative Composition
  • Film Music – Film Composition using technology 

Edexcel GCSE Music

Our aim at KS4 is to teach students how to critically and creatively engage with a range of musical contexts, in order to promote personal, social, intellectual and cultural development. 

Through the Pearson Edexcel GCSE course students will: 

Develop more advanced Performance skills: (Component 1: 30%) 

  • Performing as a soloist and within an ensemble
  • Refining tuning and intonation
  • Developing style, interpretation and expression
  • Demonstrating an understanding of musical elements  

Learn to compose their own music using technical skills needed to produce effective Compositions, using: (Component 2: 30%)

  • Melodic development
  • Use of Harmony and Chords
  • Ideas within a structure
  • Rhythmic development
  • Use of texture 
  • Key changes and use of tonality

Develop musical analysis skills to Appraise music in detail from a given list of set works: (Component 3: 40%)

  • Understanding musical context
  • Knowledge and understanding of musical elements
  • Identification of musical elements within music
  • Application of musical vocabulary to sets works and wider listening 
  • Developing wider musical language skills, e.g. reading musical scores.

These skills will help prepare students for music study at KS5  

 

Edexcel A-Level Music

Our aim at KS5 is to support students in forming personal and meaningful relationships with music. Our students are encouraged to critically and creatively engage with a wide range of musical contexts, develop an understanding of the place of music in different cultures and contexts and reflect on how music is used in the expression of personal and collective identities.

Through the Pearson Edexcel A level course students will: 

Develop more advanced performance skills: (Component 1: 30%) 

  • Performing as a soloist and/or through ensemble
  • Refining tuning and intonation
  • Developing style, interpretation and expression
  • Demonstrate an understanding of musical elements  
  • Developing Performance Practice

Develop more advanced composition skills: (Component 2: 30%)

  • Demonstrating manipulation of musical ideas
  • Using a wide range of musical devices
  • Exploring and experimentation with a range of musical conventions 

Develop more advanced listening and appraising skills: (Component 3: 40%)

  • Develop sophisticated use of musical vocabulary to describe music 
  • Appraise contrasting genres, styles and traditions developing an understanding of musical contexts 
  • Encouraging further and wider independent listening  

Students are encouraged to attend co-curricular music to broaden their musical experience and interests, developing imagination and creativity. They are encouraged to be effective independent learners, and critical and effective thinkers with enquiring minds. This course will prepare students ​for study beyond A level.

Extra-curricular Music

The music department offers instrumental lessons and a wide variety of co-curricular activities including choirs, orchestras and the whole school production. Co-curricular timetables can be found here.

The Collegiate Trust operate an Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme, further details can be found here.