Music
Music in schools is a rich and vibrant curriculum area which allows learners to become creative, reflective and collaborative. Music education is a partnership between classroom teachers, instrumental teachers, professional performers and wider organisations from the performing arts and voluntary sectors. At Meadowhead School, we offer music across all key stages as part of a thriving Faculty of Performing Arts. We recognise the important role that music plays in children’s academic, personal and social development and we provide an enriching and well sequenced music curriculum.
All students study music for 1 hour per week in Years 7 and 8 before undertaking an equal rotation of music and drama in year 9. The music curriculum is modelled around the assessed areas of music learning; composition, performing and appraisal and includes a variety of music styles, instruments and genres. The curriculum is designed to build up learners’ instrumental skills and understanding of the elements of music and the department embeds music context and theory through the practical application of music in lessons. The department intent is as follows:
At Meadowhead, we think and act as musicians
Listening is breathing in
Composing and performing are breathing out
Every lesson you will perform, compose and listen to different types of Music
Your job is to showcase what you’ve learnt and respect others when they are doing the same
Key stage 3 (7-9)
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 |
Elements of Music
Storytelling |
Fanfare Reggae |
Band Skills |
| Assessment |
Soundscape and Graphic Score vocal performance
Composition based on the musical elements and the use of major/minor scales |
Sibelius based composition A performance medley of Reggae songs |
A band performance of famous Sheffield bands |
| Term 2 |
Rhythm Notation |
Computer Games (DAW Software)
Pop Songs |
Film Music |
| Assessment |
A rhythmic composition and performance
A performance of ‘Love Me Tender’ |
A composition using DAW |
Sibelius based composition |
| Term 3 |
Blues Sea Shanties |
Western Classical African Theatre |
Riffs |
| Assessment |
A Blues song in call and response with the 12 bar blues and improvisation A performance medley of Sea Shanties |
A performance of a piece from either the baroque, classical, romantic or modern period A joint performance with Drama using African percussion |
A band performance of famous riffs |
Key Stage 4 (10-11) GCSE Music (Eduqas GCSE Y10 2023/24 onwards, AQA GCSE Music Y11 23/24) and BTEC Music
| Year 10 | Year 11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 |
GCSE (Eduqas)-Area of Study 1- Musical forms and devices, Area of Study 4: Popular Music BTEC-C1 prep: Exploring Music products and styles |
GCSE (AQA)-Composing BTEC-C2 Music Skills Development |
| Assessment | N/A |
GCSE (AQA)-Composing (NEA) BTEC: C2 assessment (externally moderated) |
| Term 2 |
GCSE (Eduqas)-Area of Study 2 Music for Ensemble, Area of Study 3: Film Music BTEC-C1 Exploring -Music products and styles |
GCSE (AQA)- Composing and Performance BTEC-C3 Responding to a Music Brief -externally marked |
| Assessment |
GCSE: Mock Listening Exam, mini performance assessments BTEC: C1 assessment (externally moderated) |
GCSE: Composition and Performance assessments (NEA)- externally moderated |
| Term 3 |
GCSE (Eduqas)-Area of Study 2 Music for Ensemble, prep for GCSE listening exam BTEC-C2 prep: Music Skills Development |
GCSE-AQA-Understanding Music BTEC- Responding to a Music brief |
| Assessment |
GCSE: Mock Listening Exam, mini performance assessments BTEC: Mock C2 assessment |
GCSE written paper: Understanding Music BTEC: C3 external assessment |
Key Stage 5 (12-13) A-Level Music Edexcel
The course is taught in vertical groupings. The course covers the Edexcel A-Level Music qualification.
| Year 12 | Year 13 | |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 |
Unit 3: Vocal music from 1650 Harmony & counterpoint skills |
Unit 3: Popular music & Jazz/ Fusion music Unit 2: Composition based on a brief |
| Assessment | N/A | N/A |
| Term 2 |
Unit 3: Instrumental music from 1650 Unit 2: Bach chorale harmony/ Free composition |
Unit 3: New Directions Unit 2: Composition based on a brief Unit 1: Performing |
| Assessment | Mock listening test in February |
Revision listening and appraising. Completion of composition based on a brief or free composition (NEA)- external assessment |
| Term 3 |
Unit 3: Music for Film Unit 2: Free composition Unit 1: Performing |
Unit 3: Revision of listening and appraising units Unit 2: Completion of assessed Bach chorale & final choice composition Unit 1: Performing |
| Assessment |
Mock A-Level Written Paper: listening and appraising Timed Bach chorale exercise Mock recital (NEA) |
Timed Bach chorale exercise Completion of final choice composition (NEA)- external assessment Recording of final recital (NEA)- external assessment |
Useful websites
AQA | GCSE | Music | Specification at a glance
Music Practice (2022) | BTEC Tech Awards | Pearson qualifications
Edexcel A level Music (2016) | Pearson qualifications
Extra-curricular / enrichment
- Y9 Drama and Music Club
- Choir
- Strings group
- School Production/performance opportunities throughout the year
- KS4 and KS5 Rehearsal and coursework support