Music (Key Stage 3)

Intent

Music is a universal language that embodies expression and communication of emotion. Our high-quality music curriculum is designed to engage, inspire, and challenge learners, equipping them with the knowledge, cultural skills, and skills to experiment, invent, and create their own musical works. We drive students to excel and flourish through nurturing their talents and fostering a love of music. Through our thematic, sequenced approach to our ambitious curriculum, we embed life-long skills and provide the foundations for future study and careers. As students progress, they will develop into critical listeners and develop a more rigorous understanding of music, ensuring students will be able to discuss music history and contemporary musical practices to embed their knowledge of the world around them. Every learner is challenged and supported to ensure their potential for success is maximised.

Year 7

Focus

Autumn	Spring	Summer
Autumn 1 – African Drumming Assessment Objective 1 Students will: Baseline Test African Culture and Instruments Rhythms in African Music Djembe drumming techniques Drumming composition The Year 7 curriculum begins with the building blocks of music. The first element we concentrate on is Rhythm. We approach this topic through the scope of African drumming using Djembes as well as the development of understanding basic rhythm notation. Baseline Test African Culture and Instruments Rhythms in African Music Djembe drumming techniques Drumming Composition Autumn 2 – Rhythm Notation and Choral Performance Assessment Objective 2 In the second half term, students will apply the knowledge of rhythm and pulse and performance technique to create their own pieces of music. The focus this half term is on understanding and appliance of music notation to create ‘fast food’ rhythms. The emphasis is on students composing using rhythm notation on the musical stave. The students will have the opportunity to develop vocal performance routines and technique during this half term. Development of performance confidence and vocal technique is a focal point on the lead up to Christmas time as students will practice and perform familiar popular songs in a choral capacity. Students should expect to: Write music notation symbols as to ensure they are learning proper technique and presentation on the musical stave. Use the note values of the symbols effectively and develop their understanding and implementation of music theory into their rhythm composition and performances. Collaborate with their peers to develop interpersonal and communication based musical skills.	Spring 1 – Keyboard Skills Assessment Objective 1 Students will: Learning the notes on the keyboard Playing pieces using correct hand technique Developing dexterity on the keyboard Developing practical understanding of pitch This term we will concentrate on Keyboard skills, with a focus on technique and pitch notation. The students learn how to read basic music notation. Developing their understanding of middle C, sharps, flats and the grand staff. This will result in a performance-based keyboard skills assessment. Spring 2 – Pitch Notation Assessment Objective 1 This half-term we will concentrate on reading musical notation. Students will use the practical skills gained from keyboard skills to build their own knowledge and understanding of pitch as a compositional tool. During this half term students will utilise the notes of the stave as a compositional tool to create their own musical ideas. Students will be: Learning the notes on the keyboard Playing pieces using correct hand technique Developing dexterity on the keyboard Developing practical understanding of pitch Developing practical application of notes on the stave Applying notes on the stave to compose simple melody that is performed on keyboard	SSummer 1 – Instruments of the Orchestra Assessment Objective 1 Students will: Learning the notes on the keyboard Playing pieces using correct hand technique Developing dexterity on the keyboard Developing practical understanding of pitch This term we will learn the fundamentals of classical music. We will learn about the instruments that perform classical music as well as focusing on performing classical music on a keyboard. This topic provides the students with foundational knowledge used in film music, western classical music and multimedia. The students will learn the different tonal and physical qualities of the four instrument families as well as identifying and analysing pieces of music that use these instruments. Summer 2 – Chords Assessment Objective 1 Students will: Learn how to play ukulele using chords C, G, Am, F, Em and Dm used in Popular Music. We will focus on the ukulele and learn how to play chords, to perform a song. Playing basic chords on Keyboard Playing basic chords on ukelele Using chords to perform the classic song: Stand By Me by Ben E. King Analysing four chord song medleys

Year 8

Focus

Autumn	Spring	Summer
Autumn Term 1 – Four Chord Songs Assessment Objective 1 This half term focuses on students putting together their previous knowledge of simple chords and keyboard skills to begin forming more cohesive performances of popular songs using the four-chord formula. Students are assessed on their practical ability to perform chords cohesively with transitions. Students will: Learn the difference between major and minor Chords Perform using left and right hand on keyboard Watch ‘Axis of Awesome’ Perform Pop Songs Learn to play more advanced chords containing sharps and flats Autumn Term 2 – Ukelele Music Assessment Objective 2 Students will: Learn basic chords on Ukelele Learn 4 chord songs Learn to play along to ukelele songs Practice playing with left and right hands Students transfer their knowledge of performing chords on piano to Ukelele. This provides students with a dynamic set of skills across a multitude of musical instruments reinforcing their performance skillset and knowledge of basic chord theory.	Spring Term 1 – Song Composition Assessment Objective 1 Students will: Identify themes of songs Begin lyric writing and chord composition for own song. Create a song structure Compose a melody Spring Term 2 – Music History Students will: Begin to analyse music from music history Learn how music developed through history Perform music from each era Students learn the history of music in western Europe and the impact this has on modern, contemporary music. During this topic the students will investigate the chronological development of western music from earlier romantic music to classical music and the music of the 20^th Century. The students are assessed on their ability to perform pieces of music throughout the different eras or orchestral music.	Summer Term 1 – Samba Assessment Objective 1 Students will: Learn about the culture of Samba Understand techniques used in drumming music Rehearse and perform drumming music Begin to compose drumming music and perform in small groups Summer Term 2 – Blues Assessment Objective 1 Students will: Learn the history and background of blues music Use techniques from lues music (improvisation, call and response) Perform the 12-bar blues and develop understanding of blues structure Begin to write blues lyrics The students learn to play key techniques involved in Blues music. The students perform the walking bass line, 12 bar blues chord progression and develop improvisational skills utilising the blues scale. They are assessed on Blues performance skills.

Year 9

Focus

Autumn	Spring	Summer
Autumn Term 1 – Reggae Assessment Objective 1 Students will: Learn the historic and cultural roots of Reggae Analyse techniques from Reggae music Perform a Reggae song on keyboard and ukelele Autumn Term 2 – Evolution of Pop Assessment Objective 1 Students will: Perform a Pop Song on Keyboard Begin to add left hand into the pieces Listen to the evolution of Pop Music through the decades This topic provides students with the capital culture and experience of world music as students maintain a focus on the use of offbeat rhythms and culture of the Rastafarian movement and its influence on Reggae music. The students learn to play the skanking guitar technique on ukelele, bubble organ on keyboard and the one drop beat. Students are assessed on their practical performance of Reggae techniques.	Spring Term 1 – Video Games Music Assessment Objective 1 Students will: Listen to & analyse Video Game Music Describe techniques and features used to create Video Game Music Perform music from popular video games Spring Term 2 – Film Music Performance Assessment Objective 1 Students will: Analyse how film music represents a theme – Schindler’s List listening activity Identify what musical techniques make horror themes successful Perform a horror theme – Exorcist/Halloween	Summer Term 1 – Film Music Composition Assessment Objective 1 Students will: Compose your own horror theme using the techniques used in Film Music Compose to a specific brief deploying techniques learned for different genres Summer Term 2 – Music Research Project Assessment Objective 1 Students will: Perform a piece of your choice using your knowledge of successful performance practice and create a presentation on the style of music Students will undertake a research portfolio project on a style of music from the BTEC course offered at KS4. This gives students significant research practice as to prepare for the BTEC Level 2 in Music Practice. hese issues.

Enrichment Opportunities

Jazz Club

Choir

Music Tech

The department also operates peripatetic music lessons throughout the school day where students have the opportunity for one-to-one instrument lessons with a specialist tutor.

Useful Links/Websites

BANDLAB

MUSESCORE

musictheoryonline

Soundtrap

Playlists

Year 7

Year 7 Term 1

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Year 8

Year 8 Term 1

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Year 9

Year 9 Term 1

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