Music 

“Music can change the world because it can change people.”

Bono

Welcome to the Music subject page. Below you will find a breakdown of each year group, including what is taught, how we assess, what enrichment opportunities there are and what can be expected in terms of homework. If you need any further information please contact the Head of Department, Mrs Hamilton, at khamilton@cromwell.cambs.sch.uk. 

Click here to see a visual representation of our Music curriculum from Year 7 - Year 13

 

Homework

Homework is set on a regular basis by the class teacher and can be accessed by logging into your Go4Schools account. 

Enrichment

Ability Groupings

Music is taught in mixed ability groups. 

Teaching Staff

Mrs K Hamilton (Head of Music)

Mr A Mastrocostas

Curriculum 

Primary Phase

Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon.

The teaching of Music develops skills and attitudes which can support learning in other curriculum areas eg. listening skills, concentration levels, perseverance, self-confidence, creativity, respect and sensitivity towards others.  Children are given the opportunities to develop their musical abilities and knowledge through other curriculum areas where appropriate.  Through responding to and playing a wide range of music, the children will be helped to understand how sounds are made, changed and organised.  The children will develop an understanding of musical processes including learning about and reading relevant musical symbols and notation.  The children will understand how music is influenced by history, time and place of origin. 

Key Stage 3

What do we teach?

Please follow the link at the top of this page to view the Music Curriculum Map.

How do we assess learning?

Follow the links below to determine if your child is working to secure level:

Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
Autumn Term	Autumn Term	Autumn Term
Spring Term	Spring Term	Spring Term
Summer Term	Summer Term	Summer Term

Key Stage 4

NCFE Level 2 Technical Award in Music Technology

This qualification enables students to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of the music technology industry. It is suitable for students that are motivated and challenged by learning through hands-on experiences; allowing you to acquire, develop and apply practical skills in creating music using technology.

What will I study?

You will develop the skills and techniques required to use a digital audio workstation (DAW) effectively. You will create a music project to a specified brief using audio and MIDI editing tools and experiment with musical elements in a chosen style. In addition, you will plan and undertake a studio recording session, applying appropriate effects to your multitrack recording and study the process of sound creation in modern media.

How will I learn?

Music Technology is an exciting course that will introduce new techniques as well as developing those already obtained during KS3 Music. You will learn through a range of learning experiences form individual research, group work and practical activities.

How will I be assessed?

This qualification is made up of a combination of coursework units, written assessment, and practical assessment.

Coursework Components

Unit 1 – Using a DAW

LO1: Understand the hardware components and software functions of a DAW

LO2: Create a musical project that will include MIDI and audio

LO3: Review a completed musical project

Unit 2 – Creating Music

LO1: Understand the musical element of a chosen style.

LO2: Create a piece of music in the style identified in LO1.

LO3: Review the musical piece from LO2.

Unit 3 – Studio Recording

LO1: Plan a recording session in response to a given scenario.

LO2: Undertake a studio recording session.

LO3: Mix a multi-track recording.

LO4: Review the mixdown from LO2 and LO3

Unit 4 – Sound Creation

LO1: Explain sound creation using samples.

LO2: Plan and undertake the sound creation for a given brief.

LO3: Review the completed sound creation project.

Written Assessment

External exam, including a listening task, assessing knowledge and skills drawn from across the qualification.

Practical Assessment

A practical assessment based on creative and technical manipulation of musical material to a given brief.

Click here to view the GCSE Music exam specification  

Will there be any independent study?

Most of your time will involve sitting at a computer to create, use and research music technology. Therefore, it is important that you can effectively work independently to succeed on this course.

What do I need for music?

If you are reasonably confident with the keyboard work you have completed during KS3, that will be a real advantage. If you do play an instrument, you can include that in your work if it’s appropriate, but there is no requirement to.

Where can this course take me?

Successful completion of this qualification will enable you to progress onto further studies within music, such as A level music and A level music technology. The knowledge and skills gained will also provide you with a secure foundation for a career in the music technology industry.

Key Stage 5

WJEC Eduqas GCE A Level in Music

This A Level course is aimed at anyone with a love for music, a passion for performing and composing, and a desire to learn more about where music comes from. Over the two years, you will develop your composing and performing skills through a course of both mandatory and optional units, which can be tailored to your strengths and interests as a musician. 

• Compulsory unit: The Western Classical Tradition
• One optional unit to be selected from the below list:
  • Rock & Pop
  • Musical Theatre
  • Jazz
• One optional unit to be selected from the below list:
  • Into the 20th Century
  • Into the 21st Century
• You will study the following two set works (these may periodically change):
  • Symphony No. 104 in D major (‘London’) – Haydn
  • Symphony No. 4 in A Major (‘Italian’) – Mendelssohn

Music A Level is recognised as a rigorous and multi-skilled qualification that can be studied alongside other arts, or even STEM subjects - Einstein himself was an excellent violinist!

Examination Board: WJEC Eduqas

Click here to view the A Level Music exam specification