Why do we learn music?
Music is a key part of being human. It can transcend social, cultural, ethnic and economic boundaries, but also forms a key part of these identities. The study of music not only develops pupil’s understanding of how music ‘works’ and their ability to describe and evaluate music using appropriate language, but also is a gateway into learning about other cultures.
The study of music encourages mutual respect and understanding – underpinning the AJK value of kindness. To be an excellent musician requires discipline and practice, as well as skills in teamwork and collaboration: traits that lead pupils onto success in any field. Music is a creative outlet and can greatly contribute to a sense of wellbeing – both of which are so integral to society in these challenging times.
Our approach
The core knowledge in music can be split broadly into three areas:
- Listening and Appraising – the ability to listen to and analyse music. This is developed over KS3 through an introduction to and consolidation of musical vocabulary, and an exploration of a diverse set of musical styles.
A deep understanding of musical knowledge supports pupils in every aspect of the subject – being able to understand what these keywords mean helps them to be proficient and expressive performers and composers who can create pieces with musical interest.
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Performing: the knowledge to be able to perform pieces of music on an instrument and/or voice, as a soloist and as part of an ensemble. Our co-curricular offer is essential to the mastery of this area of knowledge, as curriculum lessons cannot provide all the time and opportunities pupils need in the area.
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Composing: the knowledge and skills to be able to create music of their own. This emerges from rhythms and short melodies in year 7, to complete pieces in year 11. To do this, they need to understand the language of music and how musical elements can work together to create something that sounds pleasing to the ear.
Reception
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| All about Me |
Out and About |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
|
Growth |
Habitats |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
|
Out of this World |
The Sea |
All Reception subjects Next Reception Subject - Art and Design
Year 1
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Establishing Musicianship Skills |
Establishing Musicianship Skills |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
|
Exploring Rhythm |
Exploring Pitch |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
|
The Gruffalo |
Showtime! |
Year 2
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Establishing Musicianship Skills |
Establishing Musicianship Skills |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
|
Exploring Rhythm |
Exploring Pitch |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
|
George’s Marvellous Medicine |
Showtime! |
Year 3
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| Developing Musicianship Skills | Developing Musicianship Skills |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Developing Rhythm | Developing Pitch |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Poetry Stimulus | Showtime! |
Year 4
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| Developing Musicianship Skills | Developing Musicianship Skills |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Developing Rhythm | Developing Pitch |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Visual Stimulus | Showtime! |
Year 5
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Musical Journeys |
Musical Journeys |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
|
Rhythm |
Rhythm |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Freedom Songs | Showtime! |
Year 6
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Musical Journeys |
Musical Journeys |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
|
Musical Journeys |
Musical Journeys |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Aspiration Songs | Showtime! |
Year 7
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Stomp! And Sing |
Stomp! And Sing |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
|
The Power of the Pentatonic |
The Power of the Pentatonic |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
|
Band Musicianship: the 4 chord trick |
Band Musicianship: the 4 chord trick |
Year 8
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
West African Music |
West African Music |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
|
The Beauty of the Baroque |
The Beauty of the Baroque |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
|
Band Musicianship: The Blues |
Band Musicianship: The Blues |
Year 9
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Electronic Dance Music |
Electronic Dance Music |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
|
Film Music |
Film Music |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
|
Band Musicianship: Protest Songs |
Band Musicianship: Protest Songs |
Year 10
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Bridging: Game of Thrones, Solo performance |
Star Wars, EDM Composition, Solo performance |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
|
Music for a While Free Composition 1st draft Ensemble performance |
Defying Gravity Free Composition 1st draft Ensemble performance |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
|
Brandenburg Concerto Free Composition 2nd draft Solo performance |
Revision of 5 set works Free Composition complete draft Solo performance practice recording |
Year 11
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Samba Em Preludio Killer Queen Brief Composition |
Pathetique Sonata Free composition Solo performance final recording Brief Composition |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
|
Revision of set works Ensemble recording Brief composition first draft |
Revision of Y11 set works Brief composition final draft Free composition improve |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
|
Revision of all set works |
Revision of all set works |
Year 12
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Bridging Baroque Concerto Chorale harmony Composition tasks Performance |
Baroque Concerto Jazz Chorale harmony Composition tasks Performance |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
|
Operas of Mozart Jazz Chorale Free composition Performance |
Operas of Mozart Jazz Chorale Free composition Performance |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
|
Operas of Mozart Music for media Chorale Free composition Performance |
Music for media Revision of all listening content Chorale Free composition Performance |
Year 13
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Romantic piano music Free composition Performance |
Romantic piano music Operas of Mozart Chorale Free composition performance |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
|
Deep dive: Jazz Revision of Baroque Concerto Free composition Performance |
Deep dive: Media Revision of Mozart Free composition final draft Performance |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
|
Performance recording Revision of all areas of study |
Revision of all areas of study |