Music

Exam Board: Edexcel

Course: GCSE Music (2MU01)

Teacher of Music:  Mr S Rinaldi, Head of Music

Peripatetic Staff:

Mr B Austwick - Guitar
Ms C Bostock - Lower String/Piano
Miss J Downes - Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute & Piano
Mrs C Foster - Guitar
Mrs N Free – Piano
Mrs H Rogers - Singing
Mr W Rogers – Drums
Mrs P Stoten - Violin & Viola
Mr V Tabor - Brass

VISION

Music is at the core of what makes us human. When we listen to and perform music we access that part of our spiritual experience that takes us outside of our everyday lives. Music connects us with each other and learning about how music is constructed and performed in our own and different cultures gives us an understanding of what makes us different but also what makes us similar. Composers and performers manipulate musical elements to affect us in particular ways, we learn how they have done this through history and how music helps us experience and understand our own emotions. We study Music at Debenham High School to develop musicians; our aim is to give all our students access to both academic knowledge and practical experience and we provide an opportunity for students to excel by learning an instrument and then experiencing the social connections that belonging to a musical group, inside or outside of school, can provide.

Introduction

All pupils receive one fifty minute class music lesson at KS3 and those in KS4 can elect to take music as a GCSE option.  Over a quarter of students also receive 1-1 tuition in school on an instrument or voice and contribute to the many extra-curricular ensembles on offer.

PROGRAMME OF STUDY

Each subject programme of study will:

• Provide a clear and coherent learning journey
• Foster subject-based understanding of new knowledge, concepts and methods
• Ensure students acquire knowledge and give opportunities for recall and application of this knowledge so that fluency is developed
• Require students to think and reason for themselves
• Explanations and resources enable students to engage with and master learning
• Learning should develop a depth of understanding that brings richness to the subject but also a breadth of understanding that enriches wider life and learning
• Develop a readiness for the next stage: be this the next lesson, the next unit of work, the next year or key stage; it prepares students for both academic, A Level, and future degree study, or vocational learning
• Contain appropriate, regular and robust assessment methods for measuring student progress and to allow intervention where progress is not as expected.

In order to see an overview of the sequence and progression of learning please see their Programme of Study:

  KS3 Music Programme of Study

  GCSE Music Programme of Study

Concerts

We have a Christmas, Spring and Summer Concert, a Carol Service in the local church and several smaller performances throughout the year.

The larger ensembles perform regularly each term and opportunities are given to soloists to showcase their talents. 

Trips AND Visits

Recent trips and visits have included:

Wicked, London
Royal College of Music, London
Oliver Soden lecture on Sir Michael Tippett at Browsers Bookshop Woodbridge
Aldeburgh Young Musicians Workshop

Suffolk Celebration of Music – Snape Maltings

Instrumental Lessons

All instrumental lessons are taught on a one to one basis. Lessons last 20 minutes and operate on a rotational basis so that pupils do not miss the same academic lesson each week. Tuition currently costs £9 per lesson. Pupils are expected to practise daily at home and keep a record of this. All pupils are encouraged to become involved in our extra-curricular music activities which take place during lunchtime every day.

KEY STAGE 3

Pupils have one Music lesson per week in KS3.  They follow the National Curriculum and are taught a range of musical skills and knowledge through topics. Emphasis is on practical music making, however, theory and Music Technology is also taught at KS3. Example units of work include Film Music, Dance Remix, Theme and Variations and Indian Rag.

KEY STAGE 4

At GCSE the Edexcel Syllabus is followed. Pupils have to compose and perform for 60% of their GCSE.  They have a listening exam worth 40% at the end of the course based on twelve different set works.

Content:

This course is divided into three units:

• Performing
• Composing
• Listening and Appraising

Each unit will be integrated into a programme of study looking at a variety of styles and genres of music. The course will be divided into four main areas of study incorporating these different styles and genres. The four areas are as follows:

• Western Classical Music (1600-1899)
• Music of the 20th Century
• Popular Music in Context

World Music

Assessment:

You will be tested in three ways:

How will I be taught?

You will be taught via a mixture of whole-class teaching, written and listening work, practical music exercises and practical performance sessions. Use of computers and recording equipment are all common practice in the music department.

Progression

The course provides a good basis for study of Music at AS/A Level, particularly with the introduction of set works from September 2009. It is advisable to boost knowledge with ABRSM Grade 5 theory if considering progressing to AS level in the subject.