Music
What Is Special About This Subject?
Developing students with the confidence to be creative, curious and caring, who appreciate music from all its rich and diverse angles.
What Is The Learning Journey Through This Subject?
Key Stage 3 – Music
WHAT WILL I LEARN IN THIS SUBJECT?
Music is so much a part of the background of everyday life that it tends to be taken for granted. Yet, for many people it is a powerful focus for creative energy, and one that both stimulates and guides the imagination. Our heavily practical based Music curriculum aims to develop aesthetic sensitivity and creative ability in all students so they can develop musicianship skills in relation to their own musical interests. In addition, we aim to broaden the horizons of our students so they can appreciate the music of other places and cultures.
As a recognised Music Futures Champion School we are at the cutting edge of developing music teaching in line with how people actually work in the industry. In addition, our new state of the art facilities mean we have a wealth of resources to support a wide range of musical styles and skills. The group nature of much of our Key Stage 3 work is also aimed at developing wider skills in our students of team work and presentational style.
WHAT KNOWLEDGE AND THEMES ARE COVERED?
The following areas are covered during the Key Stage:
- Workshops on the Basic Elements
- Using Structure
- Popular Song
- Hooks and Riffs
- Samba
- Theme and Variation
- The Blues
- Creating a Band
- Song Writing
- Live Arrangements
- Music for Film
HOW IS IT ASSESSED?
Students produce two assessed pieces of work per term. Each assessed piece is practical based and covers the strands of Performing, Composing, Listening and Appraising.
WHERE DOES THIS TAKE ME?
Music can lead on to Music and Performing Arts courses at both Key Stage 4 and 5. In addition, the skills students develop in presenting themselves to an audience can be invaluable across a range of subjects. We aim to encourage as many students as possible to be involved in the extra-curricular activities, which run throughout the school year. These include Concerts/gigs, Northfleet School of Rock and Ukulele club.
Key Stage 4 – BTEC Music
WHAT WILL I LEARN ON THIS COURSE?
This is a very practical course with a heavy emphasis on performance to an audience from early on in the course…for those with less experience you can start with class performances, but the aim is to be regular act at our public events, whether this be coffee mornings, open mic nights etc.
The course consists of 3 Units, some focused on performance, some encourportating recording skills and some on developing a broader understanding of the employment opportunities in one of the countries biggest export industries.
The compulsory units are:
- Unit 1: Individual Showcase (externally assessed)
- Unit 2: Preparation, Performance & Production
You will then study one unit from the following list:
- Unit 6: Music Performance Skills
- Unit 7: Production Skills
If you’ve got the passion for music then this is the course for you!
HOW IS THIS QUALIFICATION TAUGHT AND ASSESSED?
This course is heavily practical and all the work will lead to the production of a final large scale musical production in the summer of the second year. Along the way you will hone your musical skills in a range of different performance and recording opportunities.
There is one externally assessed unit, which will require you to perform two contrasting solos, and a written application letter (all to suit the given brief). All the other units assessment is based on all the evidence you produce during performances (either on stage or in the studio depending on your area of interest) over the duration of the course. These include the various concerts we run both in and outside school each term, which have in the past included as far afield as Spain!
WHAT QUALIFICATION WILL I ACHIEVE?
A BTEC Level 2 First Award in Music (equivalent to 1 GCSE).
WHERE WILL THIS QUALIFICATION TAKE ME?
The course will also lead on well to future Sixth Form study on an appropriate BTEC or A Level course in a range of Performing Arts or Creative and Media subjects.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
Contact Mrs Campbell on her email: campbelle@ntc.kent.sch.uk
