Music

Our Vision

At Chingford Foundation School, music is at the heart of our creative curriculum. We aim to inspire a lifelong appreciation of music by developing students’ creativity, confidence and performance skills. Through a broad and balanced programme, students explore a wide range of musical styles, traditions and cultures, enabling them to become thoughtful listeners, skilled performers and imaginative composers.

We believe that every student should have the opportunity to experience the joy of music-making, regardless of prior experience, and we foster an inclusive and supportive environment where all can succeed.

Music is a vibrant and valued part of life at Chingford Foundation School. We believe every student should have the opportunity to discover, create and share music, whether they are picking up an instrument for the first time, performing on stage or studying Music at GCSE and A Level.

Our curriculum inspires students to become confident performers, imaginative composers and thoughtful listeners. Alongside classroom learning, students enjoy a wide range of enrichment opportunities, including concerts, ensembles, musical productions, instrumental lessons, workshops and visits to some of London's leading performance venues.

As part of the Chingford Academies Trust, our thriving music programme delivers over 120 instrumental lessons every week, taught by a team of experienced professional musicians. Students perform regularly within school and the wider community, developing confidence, creativity, resilience and a lifelong appreciation of music.

Whether students aspire to pursue music professionally or simply wish to enjoy making music with others, our department provides an ambitious, supportive and inspiring environment in which every young musician can flourish.

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.
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)

At Key Stage 3, students build fundamental musical skills through practical and engaging lessons. They develop their understanding of:

Rhythm, melody and harmony
Musical notation and terminology
Listening and appraising skills
Solo and ensemble performance
Composition and improvisation

Topics include a variety of genres such as:

African drumming
Popular music
Film music
Classical traditions
World music

Students regularly perform, compose, and evaluate their work, gaining confidence and independence.

Key Stage 4 (GCSE Edexcel Music)

The GCSE Music course aims to help students fulfil their musical potential through performing (30%), composing (30%) and listening and appraising (40%). It is a natural progression from Key Stage 3 and prepares students wishing to study music at A-level. Students learn how to demonstrate aural perception, musical knowledge and understanding, and develop their performing and communication skills, creativity and teamwork.

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

Listening and Appraising (40%) - 1 hour 45 minutes written paper

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’)

Students develop technical skills, creativity and critical awareness, preparing them for further study in music or related subjects.

Key Stage 5 (Eduqas Music)

Course Summary

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%)

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%)

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 (40%) - Written examination at the end of Year 13

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

Why study A-Level Music?

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 Music

If students have any questions, please come to Room 14 or 17. Please speak to Miss Cirac (Teacher of Music), Miss Murphy (Teacher of Music) or Mr Taing (Trust Executive Director of Music and Performing Arts).

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.

Many of our students take instrumental music lessons- more information can be found here.

These experiences help students develop teamwork, resilience and confidence.

Facilities and Resources

We are proud to offer:

A dedicated music suite
Practice rooms equipped with instruments
Music technology resources including recording software
Opportunities to explore digital composition

Careers and Progression

Studying music opens pathways to a range of careers, including:

Performance and composition
Music production and technology
Teaching and education
Arts management and media

More importantly, music equips students with transferable skills such as creativity, collaboration, discipline and self-expression.

Contact

For further information about Music, please contact:

Trust Executive Director of Music and Performing Arts: Mr J Taing
j.taing@chingfordacademiestrust.org.uk