Music

In music, students will explore their voices with a singing whole class competition between the classes. Students move on through the year to explore what makes a good song, Latin American music, Pop music, Folk and much more! Students learn how to, play ukulele, drums, xylophone, keyboards and vocals. Students can also bring their own instruments to class to join in with.

Over the course of the year students’ work as soloists, pairs or in groups, working on performing, composing or fine tuning their listening skills.   

Students are assessed on their ability to perform in time, with flair and expression. They are also assessed as part of a group or ensemble, whether it be composing or performing. Students’ performances and compositions are recorded termly and assessed through teacher, peer and self-assessments. Performance opportunities are included in every lesson.

Choir Practice is held weekly after school, it is free to join and students have many opportunities to perform. Our fantastic Singing Teacher leads this ensemble most weeks.

Students perform at the Deanery Carol Service which includes performances from all the feeder Primary Schools and is a great time to sing with choir. Students often perform solos or group performances in Whole School Mass, Sixth Form Presentation Evening and other events such as the DofE presentation evening.

We are proud to have started the tradition of a Whole School Talent Show for all performers, often combining dance and music for special one off performances!

Soloists and choir perform at the annual Dance Show at the Theatre Royal, Margate.

Clubs run throughout the year, which include Band Workshops, ukulele club, smaller singing groups and string ensembles.

Students learn Blues music, Rock n Roll, Reggae music, composing with lyrics, graphic scoring and Dance Music. Students learn how to play bass lines, chords and melody lines and how to compose with a structure. Students build on their skills from year 7 by adding more complex parts and working in ensembles more often.

Students also start to learn using the music software LogicPro using the mac suite, composing their own dance tracks.

Students are assessed as part of a group or ensemble or in pairs, whether it be composing or performing. Students’ performances and compositions are recorded termly and assessed through teacher, peer and self-assessments. Performance opportunities are included in every lesson.

Choir Practice is held weekly after school, it is free to join and students have many opportunities to perform. Our fantastic Singing Teacher leads this ensemble most weeks.

Students perform at the Deanery Carol Service which includes performances from all the feeder Primary Schools and is a great time to sing with choir. Students often perform solos or group performances in Whole School Mass, Sixth Form Presentation Evening and other events such as the DofE presentation evening.

We are proud to have started the tradition of a Whole School Talent Show for all performers, often combining dance and music for special one off performances!

Soloists and choir perform at the annual Dance Show at the Theatre Royal, Margate.

Clubs run throughout the year, which include Band Workshops, ukulele club, smaller singing groups and string ensembles.

Students in year 9 work is based around an innovative programme called Musical Futures. Musical Futures is practical, hands on and grounded in the reality of teaching music in a 21st century school. This is an informal learning and non-formal teaching model where students choose their own songs and involves learning instruments and vocals mainly by ear, alongside friends building on individuals’ existing musical interests.

Popular choices over the year include performing pop, rock and acoustic songs, composing their own song and creating their own arrangement of various songs mashed together.

We are hoping that even if you aren’t taking music as a GCSE next year, you will still enjoy music making and learning using this model. Check out the website for more information www.musicalfutures.org

Students are assessed in their skills to perform on instruments as a soloist or as an ensemble termly.

Choir Practice is held weekly after school, it is free to join and students have many opportunities to perform. Our fantastic Singing Teacher leads this ensemble most weeks.

Students perform at the Deanery Carol Service which includes performances from all the feeder Primary Schools and is a great time to sing with choir. Students often perform solos or group performances in Whole School Mass, Sixth Form Presentation Evening and other events such as the DofE presentation evening.

We are proud to have started the tradition of a Whole School Talent Show for all performers, often combining dance and music for special one off performances!

Soloists and choir perform at the annual Dance Show at the Theatre Royal, Margate.

Clubs run throughout the year, which include Band Workshops, ukulele club, smaller singing groups and string ensembles.

Music

AQA

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/music/gcse/music-8271

The course is split into three components; performing, composing and listening. Students will need to perform as a soloist and as part of a group. As guidance, students need to be around a grade 4 level to achieve a grade C at GCSE in performing.

Students will be learning how to compose and in year 11, compose two compositions one of which is free choice.  Students will be able to compose on a range of different instruments, using the mac suite and specialist music software LogicPro and Sibelius.

The listening exam is taken at the end of year 11 and will be taught over the two years. Students will learn a number of study pieces and be able to answer questions about these in the exam, whilst also learning about other aspects of music and be able to answer questions about these.

Choir Practice is held weekly after school, it is free to join and students have many opportunities to perform. Our fantastic Singing Teacher leads this ensemble most weeks.

GCSE students are expected to attend at least one extra-curricular club to develop their performing skills. A GCSE clinic is held weekly to allow students to compose using specialist software and improve their listening skills.

Students perform at the Deanery Carol Service which includes performances from all the feeder Primary Schools and is a great time to sing with choir. Students often perform solos or group performances in Whole School Mass, Sixth Form Presentation Evening and other events such as the DofE presentation evening.

Whole School Talent Show for all performers, often combining dance and music for special one off performances!

Soloists and choir perform at the annual Dance Show at the Theatre Royal, Margate.

More informal concerts happen throughout the year to showcase work in class and GCSE and A level groups. Other clubs run throughout the year, which include Band Workshops, ukulele club, smaller singing groups and string ensembles.