Music

We have a large range of performance opportunities for students wanting to engage in musical activities such as 2 Big Bands, The Choir, Orchestra, student bands, and The String Group. Trips regularly go to hear the Welsh National Opera and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. We have strong links with the ‘Two Moors Festival’ and the outreach opportunities that they offer as well as the county ensembles which include DYJO, Exeter Children’s Orchestra, Devon Brass Band and the Teachers Rock choir. We are always finding ways to offer opportunity to our students and we are a busy and thriving department.​
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KS3 Curriculum Content

We cover the three key targets of the National Curriculum – Performing, Composing and Listening. The tasks are varied in terms of the instruments used and the styles covered and the curriculum is designed to enable all learners an opportunity to gain basic skills on a musical instrument. ​
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YEAR 7

Subject	Module content
Musical Elements.	​Key Elements are learnt through practical activities and critical appraisal of music. Singing in preparation for Year 7 choir in the Winter Concert.
Basics of notation and keyboard skills	​Learn the basics of pitch and duration. Play a Ode to Joy on keyboard.
​Medieval Music	​Characteristics of Medieval Music. Performance as a small ensemble, ukulele, hand percussion, voice and keyboards
Ukulele and Guitar skills	Learning the basics of Tab notation and guitar/ukulele skills, Introducing Music from Hawaii, context of the instrument and links to History.
​Composing using software	​Using Garageband or another online platform to compose dance and hip hop music
​Pop bands	​Work in groups using drums, bass guitar, vocals and keyboard to create versions of 3 chord songs.

​YEAR 8

Subject	Module content
​Four chord songs	​​Chord sequences and rhythmic playing patterns. Developing the accompaniment. Perform and compose.
Notation and Keyboard	Performance of Firework – Katy Perry on Keyboard. Revise notation skills, technique and develop more confidence.
​Music for Video Games	​Composition Task. Instruments or DAW.  Developing knowledge and musical confidence of using DAW and combining the musical elements
​Guitar and Ukulele – Part II	​Revise and develop mastery.
​Musical Futures	​Perform pop songs as a group
World Music	​Studying traditions from Africa, India and Japan

​YEAR 9

Subject	Module content
​The Blues	​Students learn the characteristics of the genre and compose and perform Blues Songs. Wade in the Water and own composition based on 12 bar blues.  Exploration of the context, value and influence of the genre.
Rock n Roll	​Work as a band and perform classic hits.
Reinforce knowledge of notation and keyboard skills	​Individually learn to play a piece on keyboard using a range of notes including sharps/flats and syncopated rhythms. Play bass notes/chords with left hand.  Chromaticism. James Bond
The History of Rap and Hip Hop	​Exploration of the genre through knowledge-rich and practical activities to build skills and appreciation of the genre.
​Musical Futures	​Students work in bands to create pop songs and versions of hits. Bass Guitar, Guitar, Keyboard, Vocal – plus own instruments.
Composing	​Using a chord sequence for a pop band or using software to create a dance track.

​KS4 Curriculum content

​YEAR 10

Subject	Module content
​Popular Music	​Rock N Roll, Rock Anthems, Pop Ballad, Solo Artists.
​The Concerto Through Time	​Baroque Solo Concerto, Concerto Grosso.  The Classical Concerto, The Romantic Concerto.
​Descriptive music	​Film music, and descriptive pieces. Critical analysis of music and consolidating a firm understanding of the elements.
​​My Music	​Composing for your instrument and performing a solo

​YEAR 11

Subject	Module content
​Music from around the World	​Calypso, Samba, West African Drumming, Indian Classical Music, Bhangra, Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. Perform and learn characteristics.
​Practical Portfolio	​An ensemble performance. Composition, brief set by the exam board.
​Listening and Appraising	​Preparation for Final Listening Exam.

​KS5 Curriculum content

​We currently use the OCR Board which offers a broad knowledge-rich syllabus.
Our set areas of study are: Chamber Music of Mozart, Beethoven and Haydn; Popular Song from 1920 – 1980’s; The development of Jazz from 1910 – present day; The development of Programme Music in the Romantic Period.
In both years students have to perform a recital to an audience and compose a piece for several instruments as well as completing technical exercises.
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Wider Curriculum Offer​
We hold three concerts a year which showcase our student’s hard work and resilience.  Our College Big Band regularly participate in fundraising events in the community and our ensembles have travelled extensively, visiting many European cities including Prague, Barcelona, Lisbon and The Netherlands. The Big Band has also spread it’s wings further afield and has toured Hong Kong and New York.
We have visiting instrumental teachers on all almost all orchestral instruments as well as piano, voice and drums. These lessons are offered privately and throughout the week on a rotation basis.  We are able to offer some subsidised lessons for families that are in receipt of financial support.
Please click here for further information on lessons, prices are subject to change.
 
In addition to our in-school offer, we are the hub of the ‘Community Music Centre’ which offers lessons and music education after-school on a Thursday evening. If you would like more information, please contact the Music Department.