Year 9
4th Form (Year 9)
Main emphasis on:
- Performing
- Listening
- Composing
Sets are taught in groups of no more than 10 pupils. Projects lasting half a term are devised to be accessible to all pupils but to differentiate for those who are skilled musicians, including scholars from those who may not play an instrument.
All 4th form pupils have 1 x 35 minute lesson each week.
The majority of pupils, currently about 70% receive individual tuition on an instrument or singing each week. Music tuition on any instrument can be arranged with the Director of Music at any time during the school year. Further details can be obtained from the music Administrator on 704341.
All pupils spend half of the year in the music technology classroom being introduced to music software Sibelius (the school has 20 site licenses) and Cubase. These programmes are used specifically for composition tasks. Sibelius is a notation package; Cubase is sequencing software.
Pupils will record work through written tasks, performing compositions in class and recording composition work. This work will be assessed during the year culminating in an end of year examination.
Michaelmas Term
- Introduction to Elements of Music through listening of music of all styles from Classical to Club Dance Re-mix.
- Basic notation and keyboard skills.
- Singing
Project 1 – Rhythm and Pulse
Listening, composing and performing rhythm pieces.
Singing and introduction to irregular rhythms and patterns.
Practice Christmas music for Christmas concert
Lent Term
Project 2 – Ground Bass Variations
Listening to Michael Nyman film music and baroque music extracts based on bass lines.
Introduction to chords and sequences.
Composing riffs and chord patterns.
Composition of melodies over riffs, recording and performance of compositions.
Project 3 – Vocal Music
Different ways of using the voice in contrasting cultures. Importance of the voice.
Listen to different styles of composition using voice.
Inroduce idea of improvisation – practice and perform in class.
Composing using scales
Summer Term
Project 4 – Developing musical ideas
Following an orchestral score and composing using motifs.
Composing group compositions developed from one or two motifs.
Minimalism – listening to music of Steve Reich and improvising compositions.