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Meadowhead School

Meadowhead SchoolAcademy Trust

Music

Vision

Our Music Curriculum is designed to ensure that Meadowhead students:

  • Are able to read and write music in a creative manner
  • Reflect and understand the diversity between styles in different areas of the World and eras.
  • Develop analysis and vocabulary skills when appraising music
  • Compose and perform music from a specific time, place or occasion.
  • Be able to work independently as well as in an ensemble

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” ― Plato

Key stage 3 (7-9) 

  Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
Term 1
The Basics
Studying the Elements of Music and Graphic Scores.
What is Music, sound and rhythm?

Keyboard Studies 1
Learning to read staff notation; treble clef and building up agility in the right hand as you play the keyboard.
How do we build confidence to perform as a soloist?

 

Irish music, including string & woodwind instruments
Study of the String and Woodwind sections of the orchestra.

Exploring the different dance styles and instruments used in Irish music.


Fanfare and Brass instruments
A study of Brass section of the orchestra.
Exploring fanfares.
Developing a composing using harmonic intervals.

Film Music

Study of film music throughout the C20th, including reference to occasion and purpose.

Exploring the Leitmotif.

Composition of a piece of music for a horror film.
Assessment

Ensemble performance assessment of a graphic score composition

 Assessment of solo performance of an Irish Dance excerpt. Assessment of film music composition
Term 2
Structure and Percussion instruments
A study of the many percussion instruments leading to an ensemble performance of a structured piece of music.
 
What is structure? Why is it so important in music?
 
Keyboard Studies 2 including melody writing
Learning to read staff notation; bass clef and building up agility in the left hand as you play the keyboard using both hands simultaneously.

Learning to build confidence to perform as a soloist.

The Development of ‘Pop’ Music
A study of various popular music song styles?


Group performance of pop song.


Create a presentation on a ‘popular’ music style.

Musicals
Listening and Appraising development

Exploring how musical theatre has developed throughout the C20th.


Ensemble or solo performance of an excerpt of ‘All That Jazz’.
Assessment

Assessment of listening and appraising skills.

Assessment and students peer assessment of the final ensemble performance and keyboard solo performances.

Teacher assessment of presentation of a chosen ‘Pop’ style linking to a time, place and purpose.

Assessment of an ensemble performance.

Assessment of appraisal skills including contextual knowledge.

Assessment of a solo/duet performance of a piece from a musical (either on keyboard, or own instrument).
Term 3

Blues Music

A study of Blues music, including historical context.


What are the differences and similarities between Blues and Jazz?


Composing your own Blues song, based around the 12-bar blues.

World Music

A study of music from around the World, focusing on Africa, India and China.

What are the differences and similarities between Western music and that of Africa, India or China?

Composition of a basic Call & Response, leading to a group performance of Western/ Indian fusion.

Arranging Music

A study of music from around the World, focusing on Africa, India and China.

Development of composition arrangement skills.

Composition arrangement and performance of a cover song.
Assessment

Assessment of the development of lyrics, chord progression and riff development.

Assessment of a solo performance combining up to three elements; Chords/riff, Blues scale and vocals.

Assessment of appraisal skills.

Assessment of theme and variation arrangements, Call & Response ideas and final ensemble performance.

Assessment of appraisal skills.

Teacher assessment of ‘Ode to Joy’ arrangement and final performance of a cover song.

 

Key Stage 4 (10-11)

  Year 10 Year 11
Term 1
GCSE Western Classical Tradition/Component 3
 
GCSE AoS 1: Western Classical Tradition 1650-1910. In depth study of;
• The Coronation Anthems and Oratorios of  
    Handel.
• The orchestra music of Haydn, Mozart and
    Beethoven.
• The piano music of Chopin and Schumann.
• The Requiem of the late Romantic period.
 
GCSE AoS 4: Western Classical Tradition 1910-present day. In depth study of;
• The orchestral music of Copland.
• British music of Arnold, Britten, Maxwell-
    Davies and Tavener.
• The orchestral music of Zoltán Kodály and Béla
   Bartók.
• Minimalist music of John Adams, Steve Reich
   and Terry Riley.

Developing knowledge of key words.
 
Composing musical ideas to reflect occasion, time and place.
 
BTEC L2 First Award Music – UNIT  4
Composition creating four contrasting musical ideas in response to a compositional brief.
GCSE COMPONENT 3: Composing and Appraising - Developing composition ideas for set GCSE brief (released by AQA in Sept)
 
Listening and Appraising development – advanced GCSE level style questions – linked to all AoS
Music dictation development

Music dictation development
 
Composing musical ideas to reflect occasion, time and place.
 
BTEC UNIT 5 :
Preparing for the final solo/group performances.

BTEC UNIT 2 (core unit):
Study of how to produce a music CD with links to other organizations within the Music Industry.
How does a performer, a sound engineer and a mastering engineer work together?
Creating your own CD, working alongside other job roles. 
Assessment Assessment of appraisal skills
Assessment of composition ideas.		 Assessment of solo performance development.
Assessment of composition development
Assessment of appraisal skills.
Mock exams
Term 2
GCSE AoS 1: Popular Music. /Component 2

GCSE AoS 2: Popular Music. In depth study of;
• Music of Broadway 1950s to 1990s.
• Rock music of 1960s and 1970s.
• Film and computer gaming music 1990s to
   present.
• Pop music 1990s to present.

Exploring the affect technology had on pop music.
 
Solo performance development; choice of ‘Pop’ song or a piece from a Musical/Film, leading to a Mock performance.

Developing knowledge of key words.
 
Composing musical ideas to reflect occasion, time and place.

BTEC L2 First Award Music – UNIT  5
Solo performance development; analysing strengths and weaknesses of student’s performance techniques.
 
Study of techniques used to develop rehearsal and final performances.
GCSE COMPONENT 3: Composing and Appraising – Development and completion of composition ideas for set GCSE brief (due April)
 
Listening and Appraising development linked to all AoS

Music dictation development

BTEC UNIT 2 (core unit):
Creating your own CD, working alongside other job roles.  

Research in to typical marketing and promotional techniques used in the music industry.

What are the best ways to market a product?

Creation of marketing material.
Assessment

External assessment of BTEC UNIT 1 – The music industry exam.

Assessment of appraisal skills.

Assessment of composition ideas.

Mock solo performance.

External assessment BTEC UNIT 1: The music industry exam resits

Assessment of creating a music product.

Assessment of compositing and Appraising development.

Mock Listening and Appraising exam
Term 3
GCSE AoS 1: Popular Music. /Component 3

GCSE AoS 3: Traditional Music. In depth study of;
• Blues music from 1920–1950.
• Fusion music incorporating African and/or
   Caribbean music.
• Contemporary Latin music.
• Contemporary folk music of the British Isles.

Study of Santana and his use traditional Latin American styles in his music.
 
Trial exam covering context from term 1-3.
 
Developing knowledge of key words.
 
Composing musical ideas to reflect occasion, time and place.

BTEC L2 First Award Music – UNIT  4
Composition creating four contrasting musical ideas in response to a compositional brief.
GCSE COMPONENT 3: Writing appraisal to accompany both composition

Listening and Appraising development linked to all AoS

Music dictation development

Past paper / revision of all AoS (1-4)
Assessment Assessment of appraisal skills
Assessment of composition ideas.
Assessment of solo performance development.
Mock solo performance.
Trial Exams		 N/A

 

Key Stage 5 (12-13)

  Year 12 Year 13
Term 1

4–part harmony techniques and theory skills.

In depth understanding of;

G5 basics, Doubling, Chord progression, 2nd Inversions, 6-4 chords, Figured Bass, Chromatic Alterations, 7th  Chords, Dominant 7th and supertonic 7th, Realising figured bass for 7th chords, Augmented 6th chord, Neapolitan 6th, Modulations, Phrygian Cadence

 

Composition of a Chorale in 4-part harmony in the style of J.S. Bach (Controlled assignment)

Vocal Music: Listening and Appraising development – advanced A Level style questions – linked to Vocal Music set works and wider listening.  Set works:

  1. J.S. Bach – Cantata – Ein feste burg ist unser Gott. BWV 60 (Movement 1, 2 & 8)
  2.  W. A. Mozart – Die Zauberflote (excerpts from Act One, O Zittre nicht, mein lieber Sohn & Hm!, Hm!, Hm!)
  3.  R. Vaughan Williams – On Wenlock Edge (Nos 1, 3 & 5 – On Wenlock Edge, Is my Team Ploughing?, Bredon Hill).

 

Composition for a brief/free.

Music dictation development

Fusions: Listening and Appraising development – advanced A Level style questions – linked to Vocal Music set works and wider listening.  Set works:

  1. Debussy, Estampes: Nos. 1 and 2 (Pagodes and La soirée dans Grenade)
  2. Familia Valera Miranda, Caña Quema: Alla vá candela and Se quema la chumbambà
  3. Anoushka Shankar, Breathing Under Water: Burn, Breathing Under Water and Easy

New Directions: Listening and Appraising development – advanced A Level style questions – linked to Vocal Music set works and wider listening.  Set works:

  1. Cage, Three Dances for two prepared pianos: No. 1
  2. Kaija Saariaho, Petals for Violoncello and Live Electronics
Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring: Introduction, The Augurs of Spring, and Ritual of Abduction
Assessment

Assessment of 4-part harmony and theory skills (including HW tasks).
Assessment of appraisal skills.
Assessment of Bach Chorale.
Mock solo performance.

Assessment of free/composition for a brief

Assessment of appraisal skills.

Assessment of Solo Performance
Term 2

4–part harmony techniques and theory skills.

In depth understanding of;

Harmonising melodies in major and minor keys, Non-harmonic notes, Suspensions, Modulations with Pivot Chords, Extended Chords, 7th  Chords in context, Serialism composition (theory)

Composition of an Instrumental music work from a choice of set briefs.

Intermediate – advanced  sight singing development

Instrumental Music:

Listening and Appraising development – advanced A Level style questions – linked to instrumental Music set works and wider listening.  Set works:

  1.   Vivaldi – Concerto in D Minor. Allegro, Adagio,  

Allegro, Largo & Allegro

  1.  Clara Schumann – Piano Trio in G Minor.  Movement 1.
  2.  Berlioz – Symphonie Fantastique - Movement 1

Film Music:

Listening and Appraising development – advanced A Level style questions – linked to Film Music wider listening.

Essay writing development

Recap on 4–part harmony techniques and theory skills.

 

Composition of a Chorale in 4-part harmony in the style of J.S. Bach (MOCK)

 

FINAL Composition for a brief/free.

FINAL Solo/group performance.

Listening and Appraising development – advanced A Level style questions – linked to all set works and wider listening. 
Assessment

Trials – appraisal paper, solo performance and composition coursework
Assessment of appraisal skills.
Assessment of Instrumental composition.

Trials – appraisal paper, solo performance and composition coursework

Assessment of free/composition for a brief

Assessment of appraisal skills.

Assessment of Solo Performance

Term 3

4–part harmony techniques and theory skills.

In depth understanding of;

Harmonising melodies in major and minor keys, Non-harmonic notes, Suspensions, Modulations with Pivot Chords, Extended Chords, 7th  Chords in context, Serialism composition (theory)

 

Composition of a Film music work from a choice of set briefs.

Intermediate – advanced Music dictation development.

Film Music:

Listening and Appraising development – advanced A Level style questions – linked to Film Music set works and wider listening.  Set works:

  1. Bernard Herrmann – Psycho (Prelude, The City, Marion, The Murder, The Toys, The Cellar, Discovery, Finale).
  2. Rachel Portman – The Duchess (Opening, Mistake of your Life, Six Years Later, Never See Your Children again, End Titles).
  3. Danny Elfman – Batman Returns (Birth of a Penguin Part 1, Birth of a Penguin Part 2, Batman Vs. the Circus, The Rise and fall from Grace).

Pop Music:

Listening and Appraising development – advanced A Level style questions – linked to Popular Music wider listening and set works;

  1. The Beatles – Eleanor Rigby, Here, There and Everywhere, I Want to Tell You, Tomorrow never Knows,
  2. Courtney Pine – Inner State of Mind, Lady Day, Love and Affection
  3. Kate Bush – Cloudbusting, And Dream of Sheep and Under Ice

Essay writing development

Composition of a Chorale in 4-part harmony in the style of J.S. Bach (Controlled assignment)

Composition on technical skill – Chorale in 4-part harmony in the style of J.S. Bach (FINAL)

Listening and Appraising development – advanced A Level style questions – linked to all set works and wider listening. 

 

Exam
Assessment Assessment of 4-part harmony and theory skills.
Assessment of appraisal skills.
Assessment of Film composition.
Assessment of Bach Chorale.
 

Resit trials

Assessment of free/composition for a brief

 

Useful websites

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
http://www.classical-music.com
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/ten-pieces
 

Extra-curricular / enrichment

  • Orchestra
  • Jazz Band
  • Choir
  • Guitar Club
  • Samba Band
  • GCSE/BTEC support sessions
  • Annual concerts, shows and productions
  • Visits to concert performances
  • Band visits in the local community
     

 

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