Music

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Intent

To develop core technical skills for using keyboards, voices and listening so that our young people can learn about, and apply their knowledge of, the elements of music in purposeful practical activities.

Learning Journey

Music is included in the curriculum at South Wigston High School in line with the National Plan for Music Education (NPME) guidance published by the Department for Education so that “all children and young people learn to sing, play an instrument and create music together, and have opportunity to progress their musical interests, including professionally.”

Our Music Department meets the seven key recommendations of the NPME: -

1. 1 hour per week timetabled for key stage 3

1. Access to a range of instrument and vocal lessons with specialist teachers

1. Singing group which rehearses weekly

1. Orchestral ensemble which rehearses weekly

1. 5 practice rooms available for individual and small group rehearsals at breaks, lunch and after school

1. Termly school performances

1. Opportunity to enjoy live performances

“Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.” – Confucius

Instruments

Learn an instrument

You can learn an instrument here at South Wigston High School. All arrangements are made directly between families and visiting music teachers. There are currently 2 private teachers plus Leicestershire Music visiting to deliver specialist 1-to-1 and small group weekly lessons. For more information, please contact the relevant teacher:
• Drum kit with Chris Earp (07804 270619)
• Piano and keyboard with Ian Maw (07980 010060)
• Guitar, saxophone, trumpet/cornet, clarinet, and flute with Leicestershire Music via this link: https://ukleicestershire.speedadmin.dk/registration?signupSchoolID=1623#/

Need to hire an instrument?

This is often a better option than buying an instrument as your child will outgrow their instrument physically and musically! Leicestershire Music hire out instruments to young people (and adults) for a reasonable fee. You can check the criteria for free and reduced hire, as well as hire an instrument via this link: https://leicestershiremusichub.org/hire-instrument

KS3

Music is taught for one hour per week for all of Year 7, 8 and 9. Students will use their voices, keyboards, a variety of drums (djembe, stickwork and samba) as well as turntables in the classroom. The elements of music are explicitly explored alongside context in the curriculum as follows: -
• Year 7: Rhythm and melody
• Year 8: Rhythm and harmony
• Year 9: Texture and structure

Prep is set fortnightly as low stakes retrieval tasks, and students are encouraged to consolidate their learning by improving upon their scores.

KS4

Music is taught for 3 hours per week for Year 10 and 11 students who have chosen to continue their studies. They are expected to already have some ability and interest in a particular instrument (including voice) as performing and creating music are requirements in all music qualifications. Reading notation is an advantage, but not a requirement. We use Dorico Elements software to compose music, and there is a free version of the app which students can download at home with parental/carer permission.

We study a range of music from the 1600s to present day, and therefore students must be open to exploring a broad variety of genres.

GCSE Music

Exam board: OCR

Students will create 2 portfolios, both consisting of performance and original compositions which is 60% of the overall qualification.

Portfolio 1: Integrated Portfolio

• 30%
• Links to Area of Study 1: My Music, where students have the opportunity to create a highly personal portfolio as they have free choice on what to perform and what to compose.

Portfolio 2: Practical Portfolio

• 30%
• Links to the remaining areas of study, where students must demonstrate their knowledge through practical application.

The remaining 40% is a listening exam at the end of Year 11; the music in the exam links to areas of study 2–5.

• The areas of study are as follows:
  • Area of Study 1: My Music – students will research their instrument(s), its technical capabilities and notable performers.
  • Area of Study 2: The Concerto Through Time – we will explore how the concerto evolved over the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras.
  • Area of Study 3: Rhythms of the World – this includes traditional and popular music from India, the eastern Mediterranean region, western Africa, central and South America
  • Area of Study 4: Film and Video Game Music – we will explore conventions used by composers to communicate the director’s vision to an audience
  • Area of Study 5: Pop Music from 1950s to Present Day – starting with 1950s rock n’ roll we will explore the evolution of popular music

Eduqas Level 1/2 Vocational Award in Performing Arts: Music

Please note this course will no longer be offered. The final cohort will complete the qualification in July 2024.

• Unit 1: Performing Music
  • Students must prepare a performance for an audition panel and document the process

• Unit 2: Creating Music
  • Students must create music to satisfy the brief from the exam board

• Unit 3: Performing Arts in Practice
  • Students must plan and pitch an event idea, including funding and financing all aspects of the proposed project