Open each section to read the full curriculum outline for that key stage.
The Music curriculum at JFS enables all students to discover, explore and experiment with music through a wide range of musical opportunities, whilst seeking to improve students’ personal skills including confidence and self-esteem, team skills and independent learning. Students are taught the three main skills of Performing, Composing and Listening & Appraising through a range of topics which increase in difficulty throughout each year and build upon previous knowledge and understanding.
At Key Stage Four, GCSE Music is about making and listening to music, covering Performing, Composing and Listening & Appraising in a variety of musical styles such as popular music, world music and classical music. There are opportunities to use music technology and recording, and it is a natural progression from Key Stage 3 music in the lower school and gives you a ‘hands on’ experience of music from a wide variety of cultures and periods.
At Key Stage Five, the A Level Music course is more diverse in content, covering Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Music for Film, Fusions, Popular Music and Jazz, and New Directions. It allows students to study Music as a practical, intellectual and creative subject covering a range of musical styles, with a variety of opportunities for Performance and Composition work.
GCSE Music is about performing, composing and listening to music through a variety of styles. Topics range from Instrumental Music to Vocal Music and Music for Stage and Screen. This course is a natural progression from Key Stage 3 and gives a ‘hands-on’ experience of music from a wide variety of cultures and periods. Through this course you will become:
• Informed performers
• Skilled composers
• Critical listeners
Course Outline The three main areas of the course (Performing – 30%, Composing – 30%, and Listening & Appraising – 40%) are linked by four Areas of Study:
• AoS 1: Instrumental music 1700-1820.
• AoS 2 : Vocal Music.
• AoS 3 : Music for stage and screen.
• AoS 4 : Fusions.
Students will study eight specific pieces of music from these four Areas of Study. In addition to studying the above Areas of Study, students also embark on a programme of performance and composition work. The final requirement is for two performances (one solo and one ensemble) and two compositions (one set to a brief and one free composition). However, students will be expected to meet regular performance and composition deadlines throughout the course.
The course is diverse in content, covering Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Music for Film, Fusions, Popular Music and Jazz, and New Directions. It allows students to study Music as a practical, intellectual and creative subject covering a range of musical styles, with a variety of opportunities for Performance and Composition work. Students are expected to read and listen around the subject alongside the taught content and to participate in extra-curricular music activities.