Music

Music Department Intent

There are three main disciplines:

- To be a good performer requires technical ability that takes years of practice to master, to play with expression and accuracy of pitch and rhythm.

- To be a good composer requires creativity and consideration to structure.

- To fully appreciate music a listener needs to fully analyse what they are hearing to fully understand it, then come to an opinion describing what they like / dislike, and why.

Why is musical education essential?

Music is engrained in human cultures all around the world throughout history. Scientific studies have shown that students who are musical tend to be high achievers, better behaved, more confident and happier. Music improves our wellbeing - it is fun!

What are the aims of our music curriculum?

At CFS we intend to provide students with an understanding of a wide variety of music and encourage a passion for the subject.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9):

Topics covered in year 7:

• Elements of music (learning to read music)
• Scary music (composition)
• Dance music (keeping in time)
• World music (group performance)
• Pop music (using technology)
• Descriptive music (performing expressively)

Topics covered in year 8:

• Jazz and blues (improvisation)
• History and instruments (performing expressively)
• Hooks and riffs (keeping in time)

Topics covered in Year 9:

• World music (group performance)
• Experimental music (using technology)
• Music and drama (composition)

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11):

What will I study at GCSE Music? (Edexcel syllabus):

• Musical elements, musical contexts and musical language

• Instrumental Music 1700–1820, including Bach's 3rd Movement from Brandenburg Concerto no. 5 in D major and Beethoven's 1st Movement from Piano Sonata no. 8 in C minor ‘Pathétique’

• Vocal Music, including Purcell's Music for a While and Queen's Killer Queen (from the album ‘Sheer Heart Attack’)

• Music for Stage and Screen, including S Schwartz: Defying Gravity (from the album of the cast recording of Wicked) and J Williams: Main title/rebel blockade runner (from the soundtrack to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope) 

• Fusions, including Afro Celt Sound System: Release (from the album ‘Volume 2: Release’) and Esperanza Spalding: Samba Em Preludio (from the album ‘Esperanza’)

• Performing - solo performing, ensemble performing and approaches to performing

• Composing- Developing musical ideas - Compositional techniques and strategies - Ensuring technical control and coherence - Methods of notating composition scores 

You are assessed at the end of Year 11 with an exam covering the eight set works studied over the two year course (worth 40%) and performing and composing coursework (worth 60%):

Performing (30%) – combined 4 minutes

• Solo performance lasting no less than 1 minute (15%) to be recorded in Year 11, externally moderated

• Ensemble performance lasting no less than 1 minute (15%) to be recorded in Year 11, externally moderated.

Composing (30%) – combined 3 minutes

• Free composition lasting no less than 1 minute (15%) to be completed in Year 11, externally moderated.

• Brief composition lasting no less than 1 minutes (15%) set by the exam board and to be completed in Year 11, externally moderated.

Year 11

What will I study at GCSE Music? (OCR syllabus):

• Film and computer game music

• World music

• Baroque Classical & Romantic concerto

• Performing

• Composing

You are assessed at the end of Year 11 with an exam (40%) and coursework (60%, two performances and two compositions.

Key Stage 5 (A-Level):

Key Stage 5 – next steps with Music:

Students that show an interest in music can further their studies by studying Music A-Level at KS5.

• Performing (35/25%), Composing (25/35%) and Appraising (40%)​ - you choose whether you would like to specialise in more composing or performing

• Need to have studied GCSE Music or have been active in all three areas​

• Grade 5 Theory Knowledge required – or willingness to achieve this level quickly in Year 12​

• Performance level of Grade 7/8 by end of course is required​

• Subsidised individual instrumental lessons will be taught in-house by our music team.

Performing:

35%/25% of the qualification-

• A public performance of one or more pieces, performed as a recital.

• ​Externally assessed by a visiting examiner in Year 13 (March-May)- one or more pieces​

• Can be solo and/or ensemble​

• Minimum performance time 6 minutes (25%) or 10 minutes (35%)​

Composing: 

35%/25% of the qualification-

• Total of two compositions, one to a brief set by Eduqas and one either free Composition or also to a brief.

• One is ‘free’ composition or to a suggested brief​

• One is to a brief set by Eduqas​

• Can use MuseScore, Sibelius and/or Ableton software​

• Minimum combined length 4 minutes (25%) or 8 minutes (35%)

  Appraising :

Written examination at the end of Year 13 - 40% of the qualification

• Three Areas of Study – Western Classical Tradition (The Development of the Symphony 1750-1900); one area of study from Rock and Pop, Musical Theatre or Jazz; and one area of study from Into the Twentieth Century or Into the Twenty-first Century ​

• Each Area of Study has 3 set works which can be a single piece of music or an album/larger work​

• Final Exam is approximately 2 hours 15 minutes​

• Mixture of listening to familiar music, Melodic and Rhythmic dictation, unfamiliar listening, extended responses​

• Opportunity to explore music in greater depth than GCSE​

• Develop into a more confident and skilled performer, leading to your final recital​

• Be able to compose more advanced music including to a set technical brief​

• Preparation for a lifelong love of music, further study or future employment as a well-respected qualification in any field ​

• Develops skill in deliberate practice, resilience, creativity, problem solving and teamwork​

Extra Curricular section:

The Music Department organises a huge number of events to cater for a variety of musical interests.

Events and activities include our end of term Winter and Summer concerts, annual Musical Production, Carol Service in St Peter's Church, visits to concerts and workshops in London including Wicked the Musical, Odyssey Festival Orchestra and the Royal Opera and Ballet. Our students have also performed at the Barbican, Kenneth More Theatre, Senior Citizens Party and the local fire station! Practice rooms can be used at break and lunch or before / after school

Ensembles and clubs include: Jazz Band, Choirs, Band Club, Guitar Group and Drumming Group.

Music Learning Journey 

Please see below links for further information on the learning journey within Music:

Music Learning Journey Key Stage 3

Music Learning Journey Key Stage 4

Please see below to download Key Stage 3 music sheets:

Year 7:

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Term 4

Term 5

Term 6

Year 8:

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Term 4

Term 5

Term 6

Year 9:

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Term 4

Term 5

Term 6