Head of Faculty
Mr J. Chapman (jchapman@levenshulmehigh.co.uk)
The Music Department believes that everyone should have access to playing and appreciating many different types of music and should have the opportunity to develop and showcase their skills as often as possible.
Curriculum Overview
- Year 7 – 5 periods as part of the ‘Dream Day’ curriculum
- Year 8 – 1 period of Music every 2 weeks (on a rotation with drama)
- Year 9 – 1 period of Music every 2 weeks (on a rotation with drama)
Options offered at the end of Year 9:
- GCSE Music (Eduqas)
Topics Covered
Year 7
In year 7, pupils follow the Dream Day curriculum. This allows them to explore a full day’s learning within each Expressive Arts area (Drama, Music, Art and RE) every half term.
Topics
- Me and Myself – Pupils are introduced to music through singing and exploring identity through music
- Me and My School – pupils are introduced to the elements of music and start to compose their own music and radio broadcast inspired by school
- Me and My City – Pupils develop instrumental playing and singing by exploring popular music of Manchester
- Me and My Country – a delve into rhythmic music through the musical “West Side Story” which is based on the well known story, ‘Romeo and Juliet’
- Me and My World – students will go on a musical journey around the world by listening and playing to music from different countries
- Me and My Future – an exciting topic based on traditional “theme and variations” music where pupils will explore compositional techniques and writing using notation
Year 8
Students will continue to develop their skills in performance, composition and listening/appraisal through exploring a variety of musical styles and becoming competent and performing on at least 2 instruments. Topics they will explore include: Jazz, blues and early pop music, Music in popular culture and Music for stage and screen.
Year 9
Students will continue to develop their skills in performance, composition and listening/appraisal through exploring a variety of musical styles and will focus more specifically on one instrument to prepare them for music at GCSE. Topics they will explore include: Songwriting, West African music and Ensemble Playing in a Battle of the Bands project.
GCSE Music
- Exam Board: Eduqas
- No. of Controlled Assessments: 4 (60%)
- No. of Exams: 1 exam (40%)
- Performing (30%) 2 performances, 1 solo and 1 ensemble
- Composing (30%) 2 compositions, 1 based on a composition brief and 1 can be anything you like; a free composition
- Area of Study 1: Badinerie by J.S.Bach for Flute and String Orchestra with Harpsichord (Final movement, Orchestral Suite No.2 in B minor, BWV 1067)
- Area of Study 4: Africa: Toto (released 1982)
- Listening Exam – A listening and written exam based on Areas of Study 1-4 and set works
Skills studied in Year 10
- Performance and ensemble skills – individual rehearsal on student’s main instruments or voice and band practice.
- Composition skills and using music technology to enhance these skills.
- Area of Study 1(Musical Forms and Devices), 2 (Musical Forms and Structure) & 3 (Music for Film).
- Areas of Study 1-2 are studied – Forms and Devices and Musical Ensembles.
Set Work
- Badinerie by J.S.Bach for Flute and String Orchestra with Harpsichord (Final movement, Orchestral Suite No.2 in B minor, BWV 1067)
- Africa: Toto (released 1982)
Skills studied in Year 11
- Performance and ensemble skills – final recital to be recorded for coursework.
- Composition completion of 2 contrasting pieces.
- Area of Study 4 (Popular Music & Fusions)
