Music

Vision/Ethos of the Department 

In Music, we want to give all students a well-rounded and sequential music education that will make them culture and knowledge rich as they transition into adulthood. Music pervades almost every part of our society, consequently, we firmly believe that Music should be accessible to all students. We encourage students to have open minds as they discover different styles of music from different countries and eras, many of which are reused in modern settings.  
 
The curriculum for music is based on three intertwined disciplines: performing, composing, and appraising and we support all students in their development these skills as musicians throughout the curriculum. These skills start at a foundational level from year 7 and then gradually get more complex throughout KS3, KS4 and beyond. At KS4, the GCSE is delivered through these same areas of discipline, and so we work backwards to ensure that students have what they need to succeed and access learning at GCSE and beyond. 

"Life without playing music is inconceivable for me," Albert Einstein

 
Enrichment activities  
 
There is opportunity for all students to learn an instrument with one of our fantastic peripatetic staff from North Yorkshire Music Hub. 
 
Currently we offer a variety of clubs which are open to all students of any standard: Choir, String Group, and Orchestra4All band as well as a GCSE and A-Level Clinic where students can have more 1:1 help with all aspects of the course. We also have our yearly production where students can perform well know Musical Theatre shows, combining Dance, Drama, and Music. 
 
For more information about the music curriculum, please see the music curriculum intent document below. 
 
Music Department Curriculum Intent
 
Subject Staff  
Mrs Canning: Head of Creative Arts and Teacher of Music 
r.canning@settlecollege.n-yorks.sch.uk 
 

KS3 Overview 
 
The Key Stage 3 curriculum is designed to help students develop a variety of skills including teamwork, communication, perseverance, and problem-solving skills both on a collaborative and individual level.  
 
Throughout the Key Stage 3 Music curriculum, students will learn to recognise the basic Elements of Music and how they are intertwined to created different moods and styles. Students will learn basic instrumental skills on the keyboard, voice, guitar, and drumkit, performing on their own and together in small groups or as a class. Students study a wide range of music from different genres and styles and will be able to use Music Technology to create music for a variety of occasions. 
 
 
There is opportunity for all students to learn an instrument with one of our fantastic peripatetic staff from North Yorkshire Music Hub. 
 

Awarding Body

Eduqas 

Course Requirements

Students will ideally be already playing an instrument (including singing) however, there are other options for performance such as rapping, or using Music Technology. If you are unsure, please contact or speak to Mrs Canning. 

Course Description

Performance FOUR minutes minimum of which ONE minute MUST be an ensemble 
 
Students can perform using a wide variety of instruments and vocal techniques as well as using technology to perform.  
Composing  THREE minutes in total 
 
ONE free choice composition AND 
ONE composition to a set brief 
 
Students can compose using the free notation and online software that is used throughout KS3 
Appraising  Written paper (1 hr 20 mins approx.) 
 
TWO sets of questions based on EACH of the following Areas of Study: 
 
Form and Devices 
Music for Ensemble 
Film Music 
Popular Music  
 
There are TWO set works: Bach’s Badinerie and Africa by Toto


Please go to https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/music-gcse for more information.

Students who take this course are expected to join one of the Music clubs to help with their ensemble playing and musicianship. 

Progression

Students who take Music for GCSE and A Level show many key skills that both universities and employers look for such as creativity, resilience, and teamwork. Students who have higher graded instrumental exams can use these to gain extra UCAS points for many university courses even if they are not applying for a music course. 
 
Music can lead to many different careers such as music therapists, teachers, performers, technicians, as well as working in the wider Music and Creative Arts Industry. 
 

Awarding Body

Eduqas

Course Requirements

Students need to be able to perform to approximately Grade 5 standard on their chosen instrument and have passed GCSE Music with at least a Grade 5. Acceptance onto the course is at the discretion of the Music teacher and may be subject to an audition on their first instrument.

Course Description

Performance

OPTION A:
Perform for a total of 10 – 12 minutes
A minimum of THREE pieces (solo or ensemble)
TWO of the pieces must reflect two different Areas of Study

OPTION B:
Perform for a total of 6 – 8 minutes
A minimum of TWO pieces (solo or ensemble)
ONE piece must reflect an Area of Study
Composing

OPTION A:
4 – 6 minutes in total
ONE composition to a set brief reflecting the Western Classical Tradition AND
ONE Free choice composition

OPTION B:
8 – 10 minutes in total
ONE composition to a set brief reflecting the Western Classical Tradition AND
ONE composition reflecting one different Area of Study ANDONE Free choice composition
Appraising

Written paper (2 hrs 15 mins approx.) 

Three Areas of Study: 

AoS A: Western Classical Tradition – The Development of the Symphony from 1750-1900
Set Works:
Haydn Symphony 104 (Detailed analysis)
Mendelssohn Symphony 4 (General study)

AoS B: Rock and Pop OR
AoS C: Musical Theatre

AoS E: Into the Twentieth Century
Set Works:
Poulenc – Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano, Mvt II
Debussy – 1. Nuages from Three Nocturnes

Questions include:
1. Set work analysis with a score
2. Extended responses on wider context
3. Unprepared extracts of music with and without a score
4. Comparison questions

Please go to https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/music-as-a-level for more information.

Students who take this course are expected to join one of the Music clubs to help with their ensemble playing and musicianship.

Progression

Students who take Music for GCSE and A Level show many key skills that both universities and employers look for such as creativity, resilience, and teamwork. Students who have higher graded instrumental exams can use these to gain extra UCAS points for many university courses even if they are not applying for a music course.

Music can lead to many different careers such as music therapists, teachers, performers, technicians, as well as working in the wider Music and Creative Arts Industry.