Welcome to the Music Department

Subject Leader

Melinda Carr-Ruby

Teachers

Keith Muggeridge

Subject Overview
Teaching Aims and Objectives
Course Information
Marking and Assessment
Homework Policy
Examinations
Department Resources
Department Policies
Extra Curriculuar Clubs

Subject Overview

At Key Stage 3 (Years 7 and 8) students learn to perform and compose in a variety of different styles that encompass a number of cultures. These include: Indian Music, Club Dance, Jazz Improvisation, Calypso, Film Music and several others. Students use percussion instruments, keyboards, guitars and other instruments to facilitate their learning. For GCSE students study a course that encourages them to research and understand their favourite forms of music as well as other traditions and cultures. AS/A Level Music requires students to continue performing and to work on composing and to complete in-depth studies of pieces from The Classical Tradition as well as popular music. Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 courses are popular with students.

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Teaching Aims and Objectives

    Programmes of study aim to encourage students to be successful in their appreciation of Music by:
  • Developing their musical skills in order to facilitate self expression
  • Develop their understanding of how sounds can be organised
    • Develop their aural awareness of all the musical elements
  • Develop their motor skills through playing musical instruments
  • Increasing awareness of other cultures through musical study

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Course Information

Students follow a broad Music course across Key Stage 3. Students learn key musical skills. Topics covered are:

  • Rhythm and Rondo
  • Musical Starting Points
  • Melody Writing
  • Variations
  • Reggae
  • Calypso
  • The Blues
  • Indian Raga
  • Club Dance Music
  • Flamenco Music
  • Song-writing
  • Film Music

Music is a very popular subject at GCSE. Students follow the OCR 1919 GCSE syllabus. Topics include:

  • Exploiting the Resource.
  • Students perform and compose music in the style of their choice.
  • Traditions and Innovation.
  • Students study Bhangra Music, Minimalism and Salsa Music.
  • Dance Music.
  • Students study Disco, Waltzes, Pavan and Galiard and other social dances.
  • Techniques of Melodic Composition.

AS/A Level Music

This Music course is popular. Students follow the Edexcel 9501 syllabus:

  • Unit 1 - Performing
  • Unit 2 - Composing
  • Unit 3 - Analytical studies
  • Unit 4 - Specialist Options (Performing or Composing)
  • Unit 5 - Performing through the course/compositional techniques
  • Unit 6 - Analytical Studies

AS/A Level Music Technology

This is a relatively new course at Waddesdon School. Students follow the Edexcel 9511 syllabus:

  • Unit 1 - Recording
  • Unit 2 - Arranging using Music Technology
  • Unit 3 - Listening
  • Unit 4 - Sequencing, Recording and Performing
  • Unit 5 - Composing using Music Technology
  • Unit 6 - Controlling and Interpreting Midi-Data

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Marking and Assessment

Formative assessment is used to give specific advice to individual students. At Key Stage 3, this form of marking is usually part of our classwork; students are given performing or composing tasks. Tasks can be individually based or organised through group work. In group work situations, individuals are assessed on their contribution to the task. Ensemble skills are an integral part of Music education. Students are given marking guidelines on the various levels of achievement. They are given opportunities to mark each other’s work provisionally. This work is then marked by the teacher who gives specific advice on how to improve the work. The work is marked to National Curriculum levels and students record their progress on a personal record sheet. At GCSE and AS/A Level, practical work is marked in a similar way; however, the work is marked according to the Examination Board’s marking criteria.

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Homework Policy

GCSE students are set homework to meet the demands of the course. Normally students are set homework once a week but there may be occasions when further tasks are set. Private instrumental practice is an essential part of GCSE Music and forms part of the homework.

AS/A Level students are expected to support their study with extra research and reading. This work is in addition to essays set.

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Examinations

Information on examinations is outlined in Course Information

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Department Resources

The Music Department is well resourced, with sufficient keyboards for one per student at GCSE. The Department has a number of electric and bass guitars with appropriate amplifiers. Students can work in four practice rooms equipped with drum kits. This year the Department will be acquiring a number of Imac computers to support Music Technology. Teachers have access to laptops with specialist music software.

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Department Policies

Exercise Books

In Year 7, students are issued with at least one exercise book to work in. They are expected to treat this book and their work with respect. The Music Department expects students to follow these guidelines:

  • Exercise books should be covered in clear plastic film.
  • All writing should be in blue or black ink.
  • All work should have a title and be dated.
  • All titles and dates should be underlined using a ruler.

Equipment

When students join the Music Department, they learn that codes of behaviour are important. The following guidelines are emphasised:

  • All equipment should be treated with the utmost care and respect.
  • Any damage to equipment should be reported to a member of staff straight away.
  • Damage caused by carelessness or vandalism will be paid for by the guilty party.
  • Equipment should not be moved unless requested by a member of staff.

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Extra Curriculuar Clubs

Download a copy of the timetable for Extra Curricular Clubs.

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