We make the Music curriculum engaging, challenging and relevant to each learner at the Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School.  Students can access high-quality resources and an environment which nurtures learning. Our department allows each of our students to develop as a young musician, with high quality learning and teaching centred around the concept of building a centre of excellence in which every child is a musician.

In Music, we work to break stereotypes of musicians and music.  We believe that students of all abilities and backgrounds can grow to foster a love of music, whilst developing their own understanding of the contexts and backgrounds from which different music has come, gaining the skills and knowledge to compose and perform with improving skill.

We actively encourage students to ask questions to connect their own knowledge and understanding with an activity or task to push their own learning further.  We encourage students to consider our own place within the music, developing as performers and practitioners, and considering the words of Psalm 150 “Praise the Lord… with the sounding of the trumpet…, with the harp and lyre…, with the timberel and dancing…, with the strings and pipe.  Praise him with resounding cymbals.”

A balance of practical and academic study is the key to unlocking our curriculum, which focusses on engaging with and developing the whole musician.  We use high-quality ICT resources to enhance learning, but also balance this against more traditional resources and learning opportunities.

To enhance the provision of music, we organise multiple extracurricular activities within the department, and in collaboration with others.  We build links with music and performing arts organisations within the local and wider community to enhance both the experiences and outcomes of our learners at all stages of their musical journey.

Curriculum Summary

Key Stage 3

Programme of Study

Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high quality music education should engage and inspire students to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon.

During KS3, students receive a grounding in music. This should lead on from KS1 and KS2 musical experiences at primary school, following the National Curriculum for England.

Over the two years, the students will study the following:

• Rudiments of Music Theory
• Vocal music (supported by mandatory Year 7 Junior Choir)
• Basic keyboard (piano) skills
• The Elements of Music
• Instruments of the Orchestra
• Melody-writing
• Music technology (including MIDI sequencing)
• Structure and Form
• Popular Music (including Blues, Jazz and Rock 'n' Roll)
• Music for Musical Theatre
• World Music/Ethnomusicology (music from other cultures)

Learning/Teaching Approach

Students will develop the following skills:

• Performing – ability to perform as a soloist, as well as in groups of different sizes (up-to and including our mandatory Year 7 Junior Choir).
• Composing – creating new music, based on given stimuli and from their own experiences and interests in music.
• Listening & Appraising – through the development of a good subject-specific vocabulary, students will be able to talk coherently and succinctly about music they have heard, giving opinions with sound musical reasoning.
• Musical Literacy – an understanding of the rudiments of music theory, i.e. the ability to read and write music using a five-line stave, as well as understanding how chords are formed and appropriate vocabulary relating to dynamics, tempi and articulation.

Assessment

Assessment at KS3 is now organised in line with the Eduqas 9-1 GCSE in Music since the demise of National Curriculum levels of attainment. This will allow students to become accustomed to the language and grading criteria used at higher key stages.

Students will be assessed in a range of skills:

• Strand 1 – Performing*
  • Technical Control & Technique
  • Expression & Interpretation
  • Accuracy & Fluency
• Strand 2 - Composing
  • Developing Music Ideas
  • Demonstrating Technical Control
  • Musical Coherence
• Strand 3 – Listening, Appraising & Music Theory
  • Making Judgements
  • Rudiments of Music Theory

*Performing marks are scaled according to the difficulty of the piece performed.

 

Key Stage 4

Qualification: GCSE

Awarding Body and Paper: WJEC Eduqas 601/8131/X

Programme of Study

Music is something encountered by everybody during their day-to-day life, whether it is through music broadcast on the radio, television or internet, accompanying a film or performed in rehearsals and concerts by individuals. GCSE Music aims to develop students' musical skills which have emerged through KS3 and enable them to build upon these through performing, composing, listening and appraising.

During the course, students will undertake four different Areas of Study, with two prescribed 'set works.' Additional wider listening is highly recommended in all areas.

Area of Study 1: Musical Forms and Devices (including set work 'Badinerie' by J. S. Bach)

Area of Study 2: Music for Ensemble

Area of Study 3: Film Music

Area of Study 4: Popular Music (including set work 'Africa' by Toto)

 

Learning/Teaching Approach

The three areas of performing, composing, listening & appraising are integrated and the flexibility of approach allows pupils to capitalise on their special interests. The course is designed for a wide range of musical abilities and follows on from KS3 work.

Assessment

GCSE Music is assessed in three units or components, with the first two being operated as 'controlled assessment,' which are internally assessed and externally moderated.

Component 1: Performing (30%)

Solo Performance - A performance of at least one minute duration, which may be accompanied or unaccompanied. For solo performance, students must perform an undoubled part.

Ensemble Performance - A performance of at least one minute duration, in which the student must be performing an undoubled part, with at least one other musician.

Students are marked for each performance out of 36, where marks are distributed between technical control, expression & interpretation and accuracy & fluency.

Overall performance time must be a minimum of four minutes or a penalty will be incurred.

Component 2: Composing (30%)

Students in this section will compose two different compositions, with a combined duration of at least three minutes.

The brief for one composition will be set annually by Eduqas, with the remaining being 'free choice' set by students and supported by their GCSE Music teacher.

Component 3: Appraising (40%)

This section refers to the 'terminal examination' completed at the end of the final year of the GCSE Music course, and considers each student's understanding of the elements of music, focussing on the four Areas of Study. The examination will include both prescribed set works ('Badinerie' and 'Africa') as well as some unfamiliar listening.  Learners will be expected to respond with both short and long answers as well as complete basic musical dictation.

What it can lead to

GCSE Music can lead on to many different career choices. From performing as a professional musician to conducting, teaching (instrumental or classroom) or composing, to arts administration or working in a recording studio, GCSE Music can help to take you there. GCSE Music helps lead onwards to GCE Advanced Level qualification in Music (Music Technology as well as BTEC Level 3 Music qualifications) and towards degrees in Music and Music Technology. Employers view music as a favourable subject as it necessitates the use and development of both creative and academic skills.

Additional Points

Music is a highly enjoyable subject to study and the GCSE 9-1 will help to develop an understanding and general awareness of music. With a wide range of music under the Areas of Study, we believe students' interest will be maintained and developed throughout the course.

To further develop knowledge of their own performance skills, it is an expectation that students seeking to follow GCSE Music will actively participate in music - practicing regularly and participating in one or more of the many musical ensembles that operate here at BUCHS.

Tier of Entry: Single Tier

 

Key Stage 5

Qualification: A Level 

Awarding Body and Paper: EDUQAS 1660QS 

Programme of Study 

A Level Music is both an academic and practical subject which helps nurture, develop and build the skills of performance and composition with the ability to actively and critically appraise music.  

During the course, students will study a range of topics such as: 

Area of Study A: The Western Classical Tradition (The Development of the Symphony 1750-1900) which includes two set works. One set work will be studied more critically, and one set work will be studied more generally towards the development of the symphony. 

• Symphony No. 104 in D Major, ‘London’: Haydn. 

• Symphony No. 4 in A Major, ‘Italian’: Mendelssohn 

Area of Study B: Rock and Popular Music. 

Area of Study E: Into the Twentieth Century including 2 set works: 

• Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano, Movement II: Poulenc. 

• Three Nocturnes, Number 1, Nuages: Debussy. 

Learning/Teaching Approach 

The three areas of performing, composing, listening and appraising are integrated and the flexibility of approach allows pupils to capitalise on their special interests.  The course is designed for a wide range of musical abilities and follows on from KS4 work from examination exam boards. 

Assessment 

A Level Music is assessed in three units or components, with the first two being operated as non-examined assessment.  All components are marked externally.  

Component 1: Performance 

Performance Option A (35%) Performance Option B (25%) 

Students who opt in for performing option A are required to give a performance consisting of a minimum of three pieces and must be a performance of 10-12 minutes. At least one of the pieces must be a solo performance. Students who opt in for performing option B are required to provide a performance consisting of a minimum of two pieces. The performance must total between 6-8 minutes. From the two performances they can alternate between solo and ensemble. All performance content is assessed via coursework and as such non-exam material. All work is externally assessed by a visiting examiner. 

Component 2: Composition 

Composition Option A (25%) Composition Option B (35%) 

Students who opt for composing option A are required to compose two compositions. One composition must reflect the Western Classical Tradition and be in response to the brief set out by Eduqas. The second composition is a free composition. Students who are opting for option A must compose from 4-6 minutes. Students who opt for composition option B are required to compose three compositions. One composition must reflect the Western Classical Tradition and be in response to the brief set out by Eduqas. The second composition must reflect the characteristics of a different area of study (ie pop and rock music.)  Additionally, the third composition is free composition. Students who are opting for option B must compose from 8-10 minutes. 

Component 3: Appraising 

Written Examination (40%) 

This section refers to the ‘written examination’ completed at the end of the final year of the A Level Music course and considers each student's understanding of the elements of music, focussing on the four 'Areas of Study,' which are looked at in lessons.  The examination will consist of set work analysis questions with the score, extended responses on a wider context, unprepared extracts of music with and without a score and comparison questions. The accompanying recordings are controlled autonomously, and students need to use their own time management to ensure that enough time is given to each question. 

 

What it can lead to

A Level Music can lead to many career choices.  Students have gone on to read music at university or gained music scholarships for entry to universities, colleges and conservatoires. A Level Music can be the foundation for work as a composer, performer, conductor or teacher as well as other careers in arts administration, the recording industry or the media at large.  

Additional Points  

It is an expectation that all students following an Advanced Level qualification in Music undertake regular instrumental tuition.  To this end, all students on the course can benefit from the instrumental lessons offered here by our professional instrumental teachers.  

Tier of Entry  

Single Tier.