Subject - Music
Music
Teaching Staff
Francesca Lett - Director of Music
Sorcha Armstrong
Instrumental music specialists
Intent Statement
To offer a broad and varied provision, rooted in the development of strong musical literacy, that provides the opportunity for all students to widen their musical horizons, develop their practical skills and learn to work effectively in collaboration with others.
Intent areas:
To establish a culture of participation and performance.
To fully embody the ‘opportunity for all’ ethos of the school.
To put structures in place to enable all students to reach their full potential.
To develop excellent habits of behaviour.
To involve the wider community in the musical life of the school and establish CFS as a centre for music making for the local area.
To develop awareness of further opportunities involving music after students leave CFS.
Key Stage 3 - Music
Year 7
All year 7 students take part in our instrumental scheme. These weekly lessons are taught in small groups with specialist teachers and are free to access for the year. The timetable for the pupils is below:
Autumn Term - take part in a rotation to experience playing the violin, cello, trumpet, trombone, flute and clarinet.
Spring Term - specialise in chosen instrument (small parent contribution)
Summer Term - prepare for a performance event at which all students will be expected to play.
We also run a choral rehearsal every week during which students will learn to sing a variety of different pieces.
In addition, pupils also take part in a theory and listening lesson each week to make sure that their written work is developed alongside their practical skills.
By the end of the year it is expected that all students will be at least at ABRSM theory Grade 1 level and will also be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of Western European musical history from the renaissance through to the twentieth century.
Year 8
In Year 8 and throughout their remaining time at CFS, students can choose to continue with their small group instrumental lessons from year 7 with a small parental subsidy payable each term.
We also provide the opportunity for all students to learn a band instrument in a small group with a specialist tutor. These free sessions are run as part of the curriculum and pupils who show a genuine interest can continue to develop their skills by participating in our Band Club ECA, the cost of which is subsidised by the school.
In Curriculum lessons, Year 8 students learn about the origins of Rock and Roll, develop their own games music as part of a Dragon’s Den style competition and look at the wonderful world of Twentieth Century Avant-Garde music.
Year 9
Students in Year 9 study a range of topics including Film Music, with a particular focus on Bernard Herrmann and Musicals from Richard Rodgers to Lin Manuel Miranda.
In the Summer Term, pupils take part in a song writing competition.
Lessons focus on the three key elements of appraising, composition and performance in preparation for GCSE with all pupils expected to be at least ABRSM Grade 2 Theory level by the end of the year.
Instruments used in performance include ukuleles, keyboards, glockenspiels and xylophones.
Composition will include writing by hand as well as using Noteflight (Stave notation) and Soundtrap (Digital Audio Workstation), both of which can be accessed online by students from any device at any time.
Key Stage 4 - Music
Students who opt to take GCSE music will use the WJEC Eduqas board specification. There are 3 elements to the course, detailed below:
Performance (30%)
A minimum of two pieces, one of which must be an ensemble performance of at least one minute duration.
The other piece may be either solo and/or ensemble.
One of the pieces must be linked to an area of study of the learner’s choice.
A minimum standard of Grade 3 in one instrument or voice is required in order for students to have the potential to achieve a high grade.
Composition (30%)
Students will be required to compose 2 pieces.
One will be a free composition and the other will follow a set brief, released at the start of year 11.
Total composition length must be at least 3 minutes.
Music can be written by hand or using any piece of composition software. We use Noteflight and Soundtrap at CFS.
Most styles and genres are acceptable.
Appraisal (40%)
Eight questions in total, two on each of the four areas of study:
Area of study 1 - Musical Forms and Devices
Area of Study 2 - Music for ensemble - set work ‘Badinerie’ by J.S Bach
Area of study 3 - Film Music
Area of Study 4 - Popular Music - set work ‘Africa’ by Toto.
Private lessons
Private lessons on a wide range of instruments are available on a chargeable basis. Pupils opting for this service will be taken out of academic lessons but on a rotation basis to minimise curriculum time lost. All students taking GCSE or A-level music are expected to have individual lessons in an instrument or voice. Pupil premium students taking A-level and GCSE music may be eligible for free individual instrumental tuition at the discretion of the school.
Scholarships
Up to ten percent of our reception and Year 7 intake are offered a Music Award (scholarship) based on musical aptitude. Successful scholars have priority under our admissions criteria and can take part in our Instrumental Scheme and Band Club ECA without charge. They are expected to play a full and active part in the life of the music department and to take the GCSE in Music.
Extra-curricular opportunities
The Music curriculum is enriched through a number of activities including:
A variety of instrumental and vocal ensembles such as Senior Orchestra, String Group, Concert Band and Senior Choir.
Musical productions such as ‘Grease’ and ‘The Sound of Music’ with students participating on stage, backstage and in the orchestra.
Regular formal and informal concerts.
Outings to The Menuhin Hall for lunchtime concerts.
Jamming Together Band Skills.
Yehudi Menuhin School composition workshops.
Intergenerational projects.
Music technology.
Music therapy.
Trips to major Concert Halls such as the Barbican Centre.