Head of Faculty
Mr S. Holland (sholland@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 – weekly lessons 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 are introduced to a variety of instruments to increase their experience in performing. We cover music from all over the globe and lessons include performances on guitar, ukulele, keyboard and drums.
Topics
- Me and Myself – Pupils are introduced to classical music from around the world and listen to a variety of artists that originate from similar backgrounds to theirs
- Me and My School – Pupils are introduced to the guitar and have the opportunity to join ensembles to expand their school experience
- Me and My City – Pupils develop Ukulele playing and singing by exploring popular music of Manchester
- Me and My Country – Pupils explore popular music that originates from the UK and compose their own tracks using Digital Audio Workstations
- Me and My World – Students increase their knowledge of rhythm by performing percussion pieces influenced by West African and Brazilian drumming ensembles
- Me and My Future – Pupils recreate and compose popular video game music soundtracks and learn how to use samples in Bandlab
Year 8
Students expand on their knowledge in year 7 by learning about Reggae and The Blues and their historical context. They perform using keyboards and guitars and complete a composition project using a Digital Audio Workstation.
Year 9
Students will be prepared for GCSE by analysing and performing film music. They will complete a composition to a specific brief and organise a battle of the bands competition to showcase the skills learned throughout Key Stage 3.
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)
