MUSIC - KS4

 

Music Learning Journey

 

WHO’S WHO?

Progress Leader: Miss M. Callaghan/Mrs S. McKay
Teaching Staff: Mr J. Lyon
Instrumental teachers: Mr Watson (Guitar), Miss Ashcroft (Vocal) Mr Howard (Drums), Mrs Wright (Violin and Viola), Mrs Edgars (Brass), Miss Bolland (Woodwind) and Mrs Cull (Piano)
Link Governor: Mrs J Nicholson and Mrs N Martin

COURSE INFORMATION

The chosen exam board for GCSE Music is EDUQAS. Through the next 2 years, students will develop and broaden the skills and knowledge learnt at KS3 and start to specialise in their chosen instrument/instruments. Through EDUQAS, students will gain the opportunity to learn the context from a variety of styles, such as; musical theatre, jazz, blues, popular music, film music and western classical music. Students will also get to study 2 set works in detail as they develop an understanding of context, the composition ideas and the elements of music found in the pieces. At the end of year 11, students will submit 2 performances and 2 compositions as part of their NEA portfolio and take a listening and appraising examination.

COURSE SPECIFICATION

Students follow the WJEC Eduqas GCSE in Music specification. Click here to view the specification.

COURSE CONTENT

Students will study 4 areas of study (AOS) through the key disciplines: performance, composition and listening.

  • AOS 1 – Structure and Devices – students will learn the key compositional devices and how music is formed into a structure. This topic relates to Western Classical Music and students will study the set work Badinerie by J. S. Bach.
  • AOS 2 – Music for Ensemble – Students will learn the context of Musical Theatre, Jazz, Blues and Western Chamber Music. They will understand how textures, grouping and instrumental ensembles.
  • AOS 3 – Film Music – Students will develop a greater depth of knowledge of the Film Industry and how composers are used to respond to briefs, use musical elements to create mood and atmosphere and how they use sonority to create a soundtrack.
  • AOS 4 – Popular Music – students will develop an understanding of popular music and the varying styles within this genre by studying: Pop, Rock, Bhangra and fusion. In this topic students will also study the set work Africa by Toto.

COURSE ASSESSMENT

The course requirement is 60% NEA and 40% examination

NEA

  • A solo performance lasting 3 – 4 minutes
  • 1 ensemble performance lasting 1 minute or longer
  • 1 free composition.
  • 1 composition in response to a brief set by EDUQAS

Listening examination

The listening exam lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes and will consist of questions relating to the AOS with pieces of music.


Year 10

 

 

TERM

UNIT OF STUDY

KEY SKILLS / LEARNING

Autumn

Elements of Music

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AOS 1 Forms and Devices

Understanding elements of music and embedding an understanding of how to use elements of music through composition.


Students will also develop their listening skills with a focus on the elements of music.

 

 

 

Understanding key structures and forms in Western Classical Music
Embedding an understanding of periods of music from the Baroque to Romantic period.
Developing an understanding of devices and how they are used in pieces of music
Developing technical and expressive control of their instrument.
Embed ensemble skills focusing on accuracy and technical control of instruments/voice.
 

Spring

AOS 1 Forms and Devices (set work

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AOS 2 Music for Ensemble

Analyse of Badinerie by J. S. Bach

Students will embed their notation reading skills, form and devices used in Badinerie. Students will also embed their knowledge of period of music and understand the historical understanding of Badinerie and how it links to the major works of J. S. Bach.
 

 

Understanding context of Musical Theatre, Jazz, Blues, Western Chamber Music from Baroque to the Romantic Period.
Understand how ensembles work together and key terms used to describe musical ensembles
Develop an understanding of textures and sonorities such as the Voice and how it is used in music making, textures and discriminate textural changes in music.


Develop compositional understanding with a focus on texture and ensemble writing.

Summer

AOS 3 Film Music

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preparation for coursework

 

 

 

 

 

 

Develop an understand of mood and atmosphere
Understand the role of the composer
Embed understanding of elements of music and how they are used in soundtracks
Understand Thematic development
Learn how music technology is used in Film Music

 

 

Embed compositional technique
Develop students compositional voice
Develop solo performance and looking at the role of the performer in the music industry
Review and recap listening skills for AOS 1,  AOS 2 and AOS 3

Year 11

 

 

Autumn

AOS 4 - Set Work Toto

 

 

 

 

Solo performance, brief composition

Understand the context of Africa by Toto
Analyse Africa by Toto
Completion of NEA composition and solo performance.

 

 

 

Students start recording their solo performance for their NEA element of the course. The briefs are also set by EDUQAS. Students will pick their brief and research key aspects of the brief

Spring

Ensemble performance, brief composition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AOS 4 Popular Music

 

 

 

Students start recording their ensemble performance for their NEA element of the course. The briefs are also set by EDUQAS. Students will pick their brief and research key aspects of the brief

 

Understand the genre and sub genres of popular music
Embed understanding of elements of music associated with Popular music
Develop how music technology is used in popular music
Learn how vocal sounds are used in popular music
How instruments and voices are combined.
Understand context and key styles associated with Bhangra and Fusion.
Completion of NEA brief composition and ensemble performance

Summer

Revision of Areas of Study for Listening examination.
Submission of NEA.

 

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

  • Phoenix Voices choir, Concert Band, student led ensembles, keyboard club, Year 7 practice session, Year 8 practice session, Year 9 practice session, GCSE catch up sessions, practice room booking system.
  • Performances throughout the year such as ‘The Jam’, Christmas carol service, Summer Showcase.
  • Instrumental lessons on the following disciplines; Guitar, Voice, Strings (violin, viola), Drum Kit, Brass, Piano and Woodwind.