Welcome to the Music Department:
The Music Department is an active and vibrant part of the Shene community, both within and outside the curriculum. We aim to provide a stimulating and creative approach to music-making by covering a wide range of musical styles and traditions, as well as giving pupils the opportunity to discover, explore and develop their own musical skills and abilities.
Our range of extra-curricular activities enable students with a variety of interests to take part – Choir, Gospel Choir, Keyboard Group, Instrumental Ensembles and Samba Band are among these.
Teachers:
Ms. B Fairbairn - Head of Music and Teacher of Dance
Ms. C Quinn Larkin - Teacher of Music
Key Stage 3 Music:
The Curriculum at Key Stage 3 is extremely diverse and covers a wide range of musical styles. Pupils enjoy the largely practical-based activities, coupled with learning the basics of music theory. All topics are assessed as an integration of Performing, Composing, Improvising & Listening and Appraising. Pupils have 1 hour of Music per week.
Year 7:
• The Elements of Music
• Melodic Notation and Introduction to Keyboards 1
• Rhythmic Notation
• Moods in Music
• Notation 2
• Caribbean Music
Year 8:
• The History of Musicals
• Ragtime
• Blues Music
• Latin American Music (computer room project)
• Reggae
• Rap and Hip-Hop Music
Year 9:
• Rock and Roll
• Musical Futures Programme
• Introduction to Cubase
The Musical Futures programme is a new personalised learning initiative, strongly supported by Government, which encourages young people to explore and develop their own musical skills through different stages based upon 5 common principles. These are: Learning music that pupils choose, like and identify with; Learning by listening and copying recordings; Learning with friends; Personal learning without structured guidance; Integration of listening, performing, improvising and composing. After over a year of trialling this method we have seen significantly increased motivation, engagement and enjoyment in Music lessons as well as stronger development of Key Skills and confidence amongst pupils. We also feel that it equips the pupils for their work on the Btec course in Year 10.
We are also lucky enough to have developed a strong relationship with Heatham House Community Centre in Twickenham who allow us to use their studio to record music with their resident producer whenever we need. This has been fantastic tool to improve the pupils’ confidence when performing.
We have also recently installed Cubase on all of our computers so that pupils can develop their skills in music technology. Because of these facilities, we are going to begin teaching Music Technology AS level to a group of pupils next year (see below)
Key Stage 4 Music:
BTEC Music Course Overview: btec-first-certificate-in-music-leaflet
Deadlines & Key Dates for the three units that make up the course
Unit 14 - Own Research Project completed December Year 10
Own Choice Unit completed July Year 10
Unit 1 – Planning and creating a music product completed July Year 11
Key Stage 5 Music (open to Key Stage 4 pupils as an extra curricular opportunity):
There are many important opportunities in higher education, and many career possibilities for those proficient in handling music technology. Music Technology AS course will provide valuable experience and preparation for students aiming for HE in the subject.
Music technology careers could include work as a:
• sound engineer
• record producer
• teacher.
This qualification supports progression into further education, training or employment, such as a degree in Music Technology or a vocational course such as a BTEC HNC or HND in Music Production.
UNIT 1 – MUSIC TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO 1 ASSESSED EXTERNALLY
Students will learn and use a variety of music and music technology skills in order to complete this unit.
Complete 3 tasks:-
A – Sequenced Realised Performance
B – multi-track Recording
C – Creative Sequenced Arrangement
ASSESSMENT – students will produce an audio CD – “Music Technology
Portfolio 1” containing the three tracks of work from the tasks above. They will also present a log book.
70%
UNIT 2 – LISTENING AND ANALYSING ASSESSED EXTERNALLY
Study the development of popular music styles from 1910 to the present day,
including 2 special focus styles.
ASSESSMENT – 1 hour 45 minute examination.
30%
