Music
Pupils in the Thirds and Shells work on a series of practical projects designed to emphasise the main musical elements, namely Rhythm, Melody, Harmony, Texture, Timbre and Structure. Within this scheme students are given opportunities to perform, compose, listen and appraise. The work in Lower School follows on from the work covered in the Junior School; the entire six year plan from J1 to Shells following a spiral curriculum format with these elements being re-visited at an increasingly higher level each time.
In the Thirds the projects are Rhythmic Exploration, Ground Bass, Graphic Scores, Jabberwocky, Jazz Improvisation and Sequencing.The Shells study Into Minimalism, Melody and Accompaniment, Aleatoric Music, The Plague, Music Theatre and Further Sequencing.
The projects provide the pupils the opportunity to work either as an individual, in pairs, in small groups or as a whole class through practical, creative tasks. The work of each year group will draw on music from differing periods, genres and cultures to provide examples and stimuli to help inspire creativity and enjoyment.
Pupils opt to continue with Music into the IV Form and it is expected that that these students will continue onto the GCSE course in the Middle School. The work covered here offers a preparatory GCSE year where the necessary vocabulary and understanding required at the higher level is developed. GCSE style listening papers are introduced to prepare students for the type of questioning and standard of response required. Again, in accordance with the AQA Specification, all based on the recurring musical elements prescribed. Students will be set a series of short individual composition tasks throughout the year that build on the basics of rhythmic, melodic and harmonic development into fully fledged and structured compositions. This will be excellent preparation for the larger expectation of the controlled assessment compositions the students will meet at GCSE level. Group and individual performance will also feature over the year as students will be required to prepare and present performances in partnership with their instrumental teachers. The IV Form scheme of work provides a wonderful opportunity to fully prepare students for the demands of GCSE and will also give a firm foundation for those who wish to pursue the subject further at A Level.