Music

Key Stage 3

Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high-quality music education should engage and inspire students to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As students’ progress, they develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon.

In line with the National Curriculum the teaching of Music at Nicholas Breakspear aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of composers and musicians.
• Learn to sing and use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others, have the opportunity to learn and progress on a musical instrument of their choice; use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence.
• Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the interrelated dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.

At each assessment window the following skills are assessed in the students:

• AO1: Performing with technical control, expression, and interpretation

  (performance assessment 30%)

  AO2: Compose and develop musical ideas with technical control and coherence.

  (composition assessment 30%)

  AO3: Demonstrate and apply musical knowledge.

  (listening assessment 20%)

  AO4: Use appraising skills to make evaluative and critical judgements about music.

  (listening assessment 20%)

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  Key Stage 4

  In years 10 and 11 Students study with the exam board Eduqas. Throughout the course students develop their listening skills and build an extensive knowledge of music by exploring 4 main areas of study in detail. These areas of study are:

  1. Musical Forms and Devices

  Learners are encouraged to engage with a variety of music from the prescribed eras, through a range of performing, composing and appraising activities. They are also encouraged to make links between music they listen to, pieces they perform and their own compositions, as well as music by composers from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries who use these forms and devices.

  2. Music for Ensemble

  Learners will consider how music is composed for small groups of instruments and voices. Learners will also consider how texture is manipulated and they are encouraged to use small instrumental/vocal groupings in their own music. Learners are required to perform as part of an ensemble, and through this to actively engage with ensemble music, understanding the relationship between performers on the stage and the audience.

  3. Film Music

  Through this area of study learners are encouraged to consider how music for film is created, developed and performed, and the impact this has on the audience. Learners will have the opportunity to compose and perform film music and are encouraged to use musical technology to create mood and atmosphere through engaging with the story of the film.

  4. Popular Music

  Through this area of study learners are encouraged to explore the musical idioms associated with a variety of popular music, and they will have the opportunity to perform popular music as well as compose music associated with a popular music genre. Learners are also encouraged to use music technology, understanding the impact this has on the way music is developed and performed in popular music.

  The work is assessed through three major components:

  Component 1: Performance: This component is worth 30% of the GCSE grade. Students will perform a minimum of two pieces, one of which must be an ensemble performance, the other either a solo or a second ensemble piece where the performer has a key role.

  Component 2: Composition: This component is worth 30% of the GCSE grade. Students will produce two compositions across the course. One which must be in response to a brief set by EDUQAS. The other a free composition related to one of the areas of study.

  Component 3: Appraising: This component is worth 40% of the GCSE grade. This component is assessed via a listening examination at the end of year 11.

• For further information regarding the specification please follow the link:

  http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/music/gcse/

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  Key Stage 5

  In years 12 and 13 students study with the exam board Eduqas. This board gives students the opportunity to specialise in either Composition or Performance for their A Level, yet still have experience in both areas.

  Component 1: Performance. Externally assessed by a visiting examiner in a recital context.

  Option A: worth 35% of the A level. Students must perform a minimum of 3 pieces lasting 10-12 minutes in total, one of which must be a solo. At least 2 of the pieces should reflect an area of study they have focused on during the course.

  Option B: worth 25% of the A level. Students must perform a minimum of 2 pieces lasting 6-8 minutes in total, one of which must be based on an area of study they have focused on during the course.

  Component 2: Composition. Externally assessed by WJEC.

  Option A: worth 25% of the A level. Students must compose two compositions lasting 4-6 minutes in total, one of which should be in response to a brief set by WJEC in the final year of study.

  Option B: worth 35% of the A level. Students must compose three compositions lasting 8-10 minutes in total, one should be in response to a brief set by WJEC in the final year of study, and another should reflect an area of study they have focused on this year.

  Component 3: Appraising. Externally assessed by WJEC.

  This is a listening exam lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes worth 40% of the A Level qualification. Students focus on three areas of study.

  Area of Study A: Western Classical Music (The development of the Symphony) where they study two symphonies in detail. They then have a choice in 3 different areas of study:

  Area of Study B: Rock and Pop

  Area of Study C: Musical Theatre

  Area of Study D: Jazz

  And the final Area of study if one of these two, where they will again study set works in detail:

  Area of Study E: 20th Century Music

  Area of Study F: 21st Century Music

  For further information regarding the specification please follow the link:

  http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/music/as-a-level