Music

AIMS

• To develop the basic co-ordination skills and confidence needed for practical performance and composition tasks
• To actively involve all students incorporating all abilities and experiences
• To encourage a broad minded attitude towards a wide variety of music
• Foster co-operation and interaction through group work
• To encourage each student experiences musical success

CURRICULUM

Music is taught for one period per week to all students in Years 7 and 8 and once a fortnight to Year 9 students and is then available as an Option for GCSE.  Talented GCSE students may choose to take Music on to AS and A2 level in the Sixth Form.  Music is taught with a practical focus but with listening and theory to support the practical.  Students are encouraged to be creative and to learn about the harmony which allows creativity. 

The main skills explored in Music are:

Performing – students come to Churston with a wide range of experience and skill.  We aim to extend and challenge them all through work on keyboards, guitar, bass guitar, drums and voice.  Students are encouraged to bring their own instrument in to use in class work.  All students in Year 7 participate in a concert of their term’s work.

Composing – students create, realise and notate their own musical work. Sibelius 5 is used as a composition tool.

Listening and Appraising – listening to the work of professional musicians and to the work of their peers helps students to appraise, evaluate and improve their own work.

Musical theory and understanding is taught throughout the three main skills. 

At GCSE, these skills are developed to a higher level.  Students are expected to have lessons on an instrument (or voice) in order to ensure sufficient development.  In addition to the practical work, students should have a good level of music theory knowledge and a desire to increase their aural skills.  They also study four key areas: My Music, Music for Ensembles, Music for Dance and Descriptive Music. 

The AS syllabus continues the same skill areas and the A2 gives students the opportunity to specialise in composition or performance.  Aural and analysis work is continued throughout Key Stages Four and Five. 

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

These activities are run on a weekly basis and most of them are open to all ages, abilities and experience.  The following groups are currently on offer:

Choir – all welcome

Orchestra – all instrumentalists should attend

Jazz Band – instrumentalists of grade 3 standard and above are welcome

String group – all string players should attend

Percussion ensemble – there are two currently running, one for more able students

There are also spaces available for other ensembles to rehearse. 

Vocal ensemble – for those students with a strong vocal ability, developing close harmony work

Flute choir – available for all flautists, any ability

Funk Band – for all instrumentalists 

ACCOMMODATION AND FACILITIES

The Music Department consists of one large and well equipped teaching and rehearsal space with two adjoining practice rooms.  The Department has fifteen electronic keyboards as well as acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitars and a large collection of percussion instruments.  There are also separate practice rooms which are mainly used for the visiting peripatetic teachers. 

INSTRUMENTAL TUITION

There are currently over one hundred students receiving instrumental or vocal tuition in the school.  Most instruments can be accommodated by the many high quality peripatetic teachers who work in the school.  The Music Department provides the tuition service, however should you wish to undertake lessons, please be aware that your contract would be directly with the visiting teacher.  Many of these teachers also run some of the instrumental ensembles available. 

2010-2011