Music

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Introduction

Abbs Cross Academy has a vibrant Music Department that offers countless opportunities for students to develop their musical skill and ability, both inside and outside the classroom.

During lessons, students learn how to sing, play, listen, compose and sequence music through a curriculum, delivered through a ‘hands on approach’. Beyond the classroom, there are many ensembles, concerts and trips, which give students insight into music within life, leisure and work.

General Outcomes and Objectives of Music:

Musical training helps develop language and reasoning
Students learn to improve their work from given feedback
Matures the ability to increase co-ordination
Develops creativity, imagination and curiosity
Increased understanding of teamwork and betters self-confidence

We expect

All students need to bring in headphones as part of the Music equipment
All students must respect all musical instruments and equipment in the Music department
If using the bands room, rock and roll room, piano works room or recording studio, students must leave the rehearsal space tidy and return equipment to the instrument cupboard or classroom

KS3

KS3 students enjoy a broad curriculum, which covers a wide variety of music, allowing students to embed their practical and technology skills, using instruments, voice and composition through Cubase.

Students study a variety of Music genres, as well as performing live in front of peers. All Music lessons allow for students’ to have musical experiences and broaden their interest and knowledge within the subject of Music.

	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
Autumn	Samba Music	Rhythms of the world	Live Bands
Autumn	Keyboard skills	4-chord Songs	Dance Music
Spring	Ukulele Skills	Keyboard Skills	Video game music
Spring	Live Bands	Live Bands	Live Bands: Music for change
Summer	Blues Music	Film Music	Music for change
Summer	Song writing	Blues Music	Music industry and careers

KS4

GCSE Music will provide a contemporary, accessible and creative education in Music with an integrated approach to the three main elements – performing, composing and appraising.

The course includes an integrated performance and composition component, practical portfolio and an examined listening examination.

OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Music will provide a contemporary, accessible and creative education in Music with an integrated approach to the three main elements – performing, composing and appraising. Learners are encouraged to be creative and to broaden their musical horizons and understanding with Areas of Study that inspire and challenge.

This specification will enable learners to explore performance and composition with a focus on their own instrument and genre choices and offer opportunity to explore new instrumental skills.

The three components of OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Music allow an integrated approach to the teaching and learning of appraisal, performing and composing. Students will study:

An integrated performance and composition component with learner choice of instrument.
A practical portfolio that includes the board set composition task and an ensemble performance.
A listening and appraising examination at the end of year 11, focusing on the 5 areas of study.

	Year 10	Year 11
Autumn	Practical: Solo performance, an introduction to composition and set brief compositions. Theory: Elements of music and film music.	Practical: Solo performance recordings and set brief composition completion and scores. Theory: Rhythms around the world.
Spring	Practical: Ensemble skills and composition Theory: Concerto through time, instruments of the orchestra and conventions of pop.	Practical: Set and free brief compositions, ensemble performance and coursework improvements. Theory: Listening Paper exam questions and revision.
Summer	Practical: Free brief composition and solo performance Theory: Instrumental spotlight and aural dictation and revision of area of studies so far.	Theory: Listening Paper exam questions and revision.

Future careers after GCSE Music:

Conductor
Composer
Recording Engineer
Promoter
Music Publisher
Digital Marketing

GCSE Results 2022

Congratulations to the Year 11 students on achieving 77% grades 9-4.

GCSE Results 2023

Congratulations to the Year 11 students on achieving 60% grades 9-4.

Extra Curricular

The Music Department is open regularly over the school week, allowing students to book the space for rehearsals and studying at lunchtime and after school. The Music Department offer a variety of clubs and rehearsals:

KS4 Music Intervention: Falling behind on your composition work, or want some advice on your ensemble performance? Join the Music staff and spend time perfecting your knowledge and skill linking to GCSE criteria, embedding feedback and making improvements.
Bands Club: Ever wanted to be part of a band? Well now you can! Bring a friend or come solo, you’ll find multiple talented students in the Music Department, ready to rehearse and create a band with you, as a large or small group.
Learning An Instrument: Are you thinking of starting Havering Music School instrumental lessons, but not sure which instrument to learn? Try out instruments in the Music Department first. Speak to a member of the Music Department, get some sheet music, rehearse the basics and then start your HMS tuition!
AX Young Voices: Come along and join other Yr7, 8 and 9 students as part of our singing group, learning provided songs and freestyling tracks of your choice!
KS3 Music Rehearsal: If you’re struggling with an aspect of your Music curriculum, or perhaps need to rehearse as part of your homework, join the Music staff for KS3 rehearsal, to use the computers and keyboards.

Useful Links

Google classroom

This is a fantastic tool, utilised weekly by the Performing Arts faculty. The online application allows for paperless communication, between staff and students and for staff to streamline curriculum, classwork, examinations and homework.

Havering Music School

www.haveringmusicschool.org.uk/

Instrumental Tutorial On YouTube

www.youtube.co.uk

Musical Futures

www.musicalfutures.org/

OCR GCSE Music Specification

www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/music-j536-from-2016/

BBC Bitesize OCR Music