Music at Millom School
Taught by:
Mrs A Lowdon
KS3 – Music at Millom School
All students study Music at KS3 and receive a one hour lesson each week. The central aims of our programme of study are to equip all pupils with the essential skills and knowledge required to engage in the three main components of the National Curriculum: Performing, Composing and Listening. We also provide a spiral curriculum to reflect the knowledge base needed to attempt music at GCSE level. The department sets out to identify and nurture the musical talents of each individual and provide a wide range of opportunities and platforms to develop and succeed as musicians.
By the end of KS3 pupils will have gained a greater awareness and deepened understanding of music from different cultures and societies and from different periods in history. They will have learnt to sing and perform on several instruments and compose, notate and perform their own music. Pupils are encouraged to develop their leadership skills and the ability to work productively and empathically with each other.
In Year 7 pupils become familiar with the elements of pitch, tempo, dynamics, texture, timbre and structure as the building blocks of all music. Pupils will undertake units of work exploring musical structure, world music and developing their instrumental skills on tuned, un-tuned percussion and keyboards. The schemes also incorporate music theory that will allow pupils to access both formal and informal notation.
In Year 8 pupils extend their theoretical knowledge to include basic harmony, chord progressions and scales. These concepts, and others such as syncopation, musical cycles and riffs, are presented through units on Rock ‘n’ Roll, Blues, musical clichés and Indonesian Gamelan. Pupils will continue to develop their proficiency at the keyboard and learn to play chords on the guitar in preparation for Year 9. They will also explore how music can be developed through repetition and contrast in composition tasks and listening exercises.
In Year 9 pupils will form their own band and learn to combine drums, acoustic and bass guitar, keyboard and vocal parts together with a sense of structure and balance. The units cover basic song structure before progressing to performing and composing in different styles such as Reggae and Hip hop. Pupils learn to read tablature notation for guitar and bass and will create and set lyrics to music. Later in the year pupils are introduced to the Garageband programme which allows them to explore the possibilities of sequencing, multi-tracking and adding effects using virtual instruments.
Further Reading
ABRSM Music Theory Grades 1-5
The AB Guide to Music Theory Part 1 by Eric Taylor
KS4 – Music at Millom School
At Key Stage 4 pupils will study for a GCSE qualification through the AQA examination board. The 2016 specification covers components in music performance, composition and listening and appraising.
The course is weighted in favour of theoretical knowledge which provides the foundation for both composition and the final written exam. Study pieces have been re-introduced to the course and pupils are required to have a contextual understanding of different musical styles and genres. In preparation for this component, pupils will investigate four areas of study: Western Classical Tradition 1650-1910, Popular music, Traditional Music, Western Classical Tradition since 1910.
Pupils are encouraged to perform individually and in groups to develop their musicianship. In order to succeed in the performance unit pupils will need to receive weekly lessons and practise their instrument every day in order to develop their technique and show progression throughout the course. Pupils will undertake recording sessions each term to build a portfolio of evidence and their final recital will take place in Year 11.
To read more about KS4 Music please click anywhere on the text.
Course content
Component 1 – Understanding music 40%
• Component 1 is assessed through a written exam lasting 1 hour 30 minutes. Section A, which makes up 70% of the paper, is based on unfamiliar musical extracts. Section B, which makes up the remaining 30% of the marks, presents questions on the study pieces.
Component 2 – Performing Music 30%
• Pupils prepare one solo performance and one group performance.
• The final recording is made in Year 11 during a recital and pupils must perform for a minimum of 4 minutes.
Component 3 – Composing Music 30%
• Students compose two pieces of music totalling 3 minutes in duration. Composition 1 requires pupils to write music for a set brief given by the exam board. Composition 2 is a free composition of the pupil’s own choice. Both pieces must be completed in Year 11.
Further Reading
AQA Music Study Guide by Andrew S. Coxon Published by Rhinegold
ABRSM Music Theory Grades 1-5
The AB Guide to Music Theory Part 1 and 2 by Eric Taylor
The Composers Handbook by Bruce Cole Published by Schott