Music

To provide a safe and inclusive environment which nurtures students’ passion, understanding and appreciation of music from a range of cultures, whilst ensuring progress is made in the three main musical skills performing, composing, listening & appraising. 

Intent

• To provide inclusive and accessible musical opportunities for all students 
• To ensure students can express themselves in a safe and welcoming environment 
• To nurture students love for music and provide challenge in every lesson 
• To ensure students make excellent progress in music 
• To build confidence by performing music in and out of the classroom  
• To develop listening and analytical skills by identifying key features of music in a range of styles 
• To develop an understanding and appreciation of the various types, styles, and forms of music from a range of different cultures 
• To encourage students to establish links between music and its context throughout history 
• To develop composition skills by creating music in a range of genres and notational formats 
• To provide extra-curricular activities and wider opportunities to engage with music in different contexts, including performing in front of an audience 
• To provide opportunities for students to perform and compose music both independently and as part of a team 
• To ensure all students believe that they can achieve 

Key Stage Three

The Music curriculum at OCA aims to ensure that all pupils: 

• Broaden their musical experience and interests, develop imagination and foster creativity 
• Learn to sing and use their voices 
• Learn a range of small musical instruments 
• Develop confidence as a performer and be able to respond to feedback in order to improve 
• Develop creativity by experimenting with a range of compositional ideas 
• Compose music individually and with a group 
• Compose using a range a notations including staff notation 
• Use technology to create music 
• Listen to music from a wide range of musical styles and eras, including world music 
• Understand how music and the instruments used have developed over time 
• Aurally identify features of music including pitch, tonality, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture and structure 
• Develop as an independent learner with an enquiring mind 
• Engage and appreciate the diverse heritage of music in order to promote personal social, intellectual and cultural development. 
• Critically appraise their own and others work to develop both their understanding and attainment in music 

Pupils receive one lesson of music a week in Year 7 and Year 8. In Year 9, Music is taught as part of the Performing Arts rotation, which includes one lesson a week for 8 weeks. The music curriculum has been created in order to develop the three main musical skills, performing, composing and listening & appraising, by exploring music from a range of different styles and contexts. Skills required for GCSE Music and NCFE Music Technology underpin the curriculum, ensuring students are effectively prepared for the subject when they reach year 10.

Students in year 7 explore the elements of music through several different musical mediums. They use their voices, develop their instrumental skills by learning to play the keyboard, ukulele and djembe as well as using technology including Garageband to compose and create music. Listening skills are developed by identifying features of music from different styles and eras.

The course content for Year 8 reinforces the foundation of knowledge, experience, understanding and skills developed in Year 7. Students develop instrumental skills on the keyboard as well as learning to play the guitar and samba percussion. Composition skills continued to be developed by using Logic Pro X to create original music and listening activities focus on identifying specific features of the melody and harmony.

In year 9, students study music as part of the performing arts rotation. Students continue to develop instrumental skills on the keyboard through composing original ideas that match a moving image. Composition skills are a key focus with the emphasis being on developing ideas throughout a period of time.

Key Stage Four

The Music curriculum at OCA aims to ensure that all pupils: 

• Broaden their musical experience and interests, develop imagination and foster creativity 
• Develop performing skills on their chosen instrument/voice both individually and as an ensemble 
• Communicate musically with other performers to ensure there is a sense of unity in fluency, control and expression in ensemble performance 
• Develop confidence as a performer and be able to respond to feedback in order to improve 
• Develop composing skills, learning how to create rhythmic, melodic and harmonic ideas 
• Compose music individually that has a clear structure and sense of direction 
• Develop musical ideas over time utilising traditional compositional techniques 
• Use technology to compose, utilising appropriate sequencing and notation software 
• Recognise links between performing, composing and appraising and how these inform the development of music 
• Develop knowledge of musical terminology and skills to effectively communicate as a musician 
• Listen to and identify key features of music from a range of genres and eras, developing understanding of musical chronology. 
• Develop as an independent learner with an enquiring mind 
• Engage and appreciate the diverse heritage of music in order to promote personal social, intellectual and cultural development. 
• Critically appraise their own and others work to develop both their understanding and attainment in music 

AQA GCSE MUSIC

What will I study?           
During the course you will develop your performing, listening and composition skills.

Component 1: Understanding Music (40%)

At the end of the course, you will sit a listening exam that lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes. You will answer a variety of questions about music from the 1600s to present day and will learn about each area of study. To support this area of the course you will watch orchestras such as The Hallé Orchestra perform the set works and visit local music performances.

Component 2: Performing Music (30%)

You will produce two performances – a solo performance and an ensemble performance. You will form ensembles such as rock bands and have the opportunity to perform in assemblies and concerts. GCSE music students are given free individual instrumental lessons and will have access to our state of the art recording studios.

Component 3: Composing Music (30%)

You will compose two pieces of music. One is based on a composition brief and the second composition is a free choice. Compositions are completed using professional music software such as Sibelius and Logic Pro X.

KEY STAGE FOUR – NCFE LEVEL 2 TECHNICAL AWARD IN MUSIC TECHNOLOGY

What will I study?
During this course, you will study general musicianship skills, as well as developing an understanding of technology used in the music and recording industry. You will study four units:

Unit 1: Using a Digital Audio Workstation
This unit allows learners to develop skills in operating a DAW creatively using audio, MIDI, hardware and editing tools. You will create a project in response to a brief, reflecting industry skills.

Unit 2: Creating Music
Learners will develop skills to analyse stylistic elements of music and develop a piece of music based on a specific style.

Unit 3: Studio Recording
Learners will plan and undertake a recording session for a given scenario. Learners will create a mixdown of their recording and review the final product.

Unit 4: Sound Creation
Learners will explore sound creation and apply their knowledge to a given brief. You will create and review your own original sound creation project.

How will I be assessed

50% Internal Assessment – a portfolio of your work produced in class.

15% Listening Test – a listening exam that asks a variety of questions relating to all four units covered in the course.

35% Practical Test – a practical exam relating to the operation of software

What will I study?During this course, you will grow as a musician by developing your performing, listening and composition skills.

Component 1: Understanding Music (40%)At the end of the course, you will sit a listening exam that lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes. You will answer a variety of questions about music from the 1600s to present day and will learn about each area of study by taking part in practical, interactive activities. To support this area of the course, you will visit The Beatles Story in Liverpool and watch orchestras such as The Hallé Orchestra perform the set works.

Component 2: Performing Music (30%)You will produce two performances – a solo performance and an ensemble performance. Throughout the course, at least one hour a week will be dedicated to developing your performance skills. You will form ensembles such as rock bands and have the opportunity to perform in assemblies and concerts. GCSE music students are given free individual instrumental lessons and will have access to our state of the art recording studios.

Component 3: Composing Music (30%)You will compose two pieces of music. One is based on a composition brief and the second composition can be about anything you like! Compositions are completed using professional music software such as Sibelius and Logic Pro.

Key Stage Four - NCFE Level 2 Technical Award in Music Technology

What will I study?
During this course, you will study general musicianship skills, as well as developing an understanding of technology used in the music and recording industry. You will study four units:

Unit 1: Using a Digital Audio Workstation
This unit allows learners to develop skills in operating a DAW creatively using audio, MIDI, hardware and editing tools. Learns will create a project in response to a brief, reflecting industry skills.

Unit 2: Creating Music 
Learners will develop skills to analyse stylistic elements of music and develop a piece of music based on a specific style.

Unit 3: Studio Recording
Learners will plan and undertake a recording session for a given scenario. Learners will create a mixdown of their recording and review the final product.

Unit 4: Sound Creation
Learners will explore sound creation and apply their knowledge to a given brief. They will create and review their own original sound creation project.

How will I be assessed

• 50% Internal Assessment – a portfolio of your work produced in class.
• 15% Listening Test – a listening exam that asks a variety of questions relating to all four units covered in the course.
• 35% Practical Test – a practical exam relating to the operation of software