“Being a musician maps the human mind for success; success in all avenues of life.” - Roger Bacon
The Music Department is a very busy place. Each pupil in Ashfield has one Music lesson a week in Years 8 - 10 and pupils can then choose to go on to study GCSE Music in Years 11 and 12, and A-level Music in Years 13 and 14. In music lessons pupils learn how to read and write music and develop listening skills using a variety of music ranging from classical to popular styles. We also learn to play music using ukuleles and our keyboard lab throughout junior school.
The pupils develop useful ICT skills through subject specific software. We have recently integrated a fully equipped suite of Mac computers to allow us to enhance the KS3 experience of composition using industry standard equipment. Music is also a hobby for many people, so we have many extra-curricular activities which go on throughout the year. These include choir, chamber choir, orchestra, string ensemble and many smaller groups. Pupils have opportunities to perform at major school events and concerts, as well as visiting outside events when appropriate. These performances not only develop their musical abilities but build self-confidence and help pupils to feel emotionally invested in school life.
In KS3, pupils have one music lesson a week. In year 8 we work to bring all pupils to a common level, regardless of their experiences at primary level. This begins by looking at topics such as:
• Graphic score
• Learning to read & write music
• Basic elements of music
• Composition tasks in groups
• The major scale
• Playing the keyboard
In Year 9 these skills and experiences are developed further through exploration of the following topics:
• Instruments of the Orchestra
• Consolidation of music theory skills
• Composition task in pairs, complete using GarageBand.
• Development of listening skills with focus on specific composers.
• Development of performance skills through ukulele.
In Year 10 we develop the pupils’ musical knowledge to a point which will allow them to have the option of studying music at GCSE level if they choose to. This includes:
• Structure of pop songs
• Composition task developed to include use of harmony on GarageBand.
• Further development of keyboard/ukulele performance skills.
• Study of impressionism through specific composers
At GCSE level we are currently working from the Eduqas Music syllabus. This has substantial benefits for pupils in terms of how the coursework is assessed. The course includes three main modules:
• Performing: pupils will submit recordings of two performances during the course (one solo and one ensemble). In order to successfully complete this element of the course, pupils attend weekly lessons with a professional tutor who can guide them through the process.
• Composing: pupils will create and record two compositions (using computer software) in school and submit these with a written account of their plans and processes. This is a more developed version of the activities completed at KS3, using our Mac Suite.
• Listening and Appraising: pupils will look at four “Areas of Study” and engage in detailed study of two “set works”. Pieces range from instrumental music of the eighteenth century, to modern pop such as Queen and music from current musicals and films. This element of the course will be examined by a written exam in the summer term of Year 12.
The GCE syllabus for music at KS5 is a close continuation of the approach at GCSE. The course is divided in the same way between the three main elements of Performance, Composition and Responding to Music. The topics are new and the performance requirements are progressive (pupils must perform at a minimum of grade 5 standard in year 13).
The music department is extremely prolific in provision of extra-curricular activity and additional experiences for pupils. We run weekly rehearsals for a singing club, a chamber choir, wind band, string ensemble and numerous smaller groups which are fluent depending on pupil availability each year. These groups are an important part of all major events in the school calendar and provide meaningful experiences for staff and pupils by performing at Prize Days, Christmas services and our Spring Concerts.
We also provide the musical training and direction for school shows and in recent years have performed The Wizard of Oz, Calamity Jane and Sister Act 2. All this is made possible by the weekly lessons provided by our team of peripatetic staff who teach small groups of pupils who wish to learn an instrument. We have tutors for strings, woodwind, brass, guitar, piano and voice. We also have a close relationship with a drum tutor who teaches pupils in a purpose built studio after school hours if requested.
Our chamber choir have attended the Flax Inter-Schools Choral Award (FISCA) for a number of years and were recently awarded the “Most Accomplished Senior Choir” with our partner school Dominican College, Fortwilliam. We have also performed at the “Lights to Remember” Christmas service run by the Northern Ireland Hospice. We have recently started a new club called “Ukuladies” which meets every week to develop skills on the ukulele and generally have a jam!
