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Music

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. 


CURRICULUM AIMS

  • Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of the great composers and musicians 
  • Learn to sing and to use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others, have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence 
  • Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations

 

Assessment

Music is assessed in the following ways:

  • Performances (both individual and group) during lesson time
  • Demonstration of composition work
  • Half-termly listening questions

 

Homework

The extra-curricular programme forms the basis of the approach to home learning at St Peter’s and the department is open to KS3 students on set days to engage in further music learning. 

At KS4 it is expected that students will undertake regular practice of their instrument and/or voice on top of the GCSE music homework tasks and assignments that are set.  

Extra Curricular

St Peter’s has a strong, musical tradition and with the help of our peripatetic music tutors, we are able to run a wide range of extra-curricular music activities. The ensembles vary from term to term, depending on upcoming performances, most require no audition and we hope that there is something for everyone. We expect all students who take music tuition to take part in at least one of these – to develop their ensemble skills.

Ensembles that rehearse and perform at St Peter’s include:

  • Jazz Band
  • Brass
  • Senior Guitar Group 
  • Junior Guitar Group
  • Sax and Clarinet Group
  • Flute Choir
  • Student Worship Band
  • St Peter’s Choir
  • Junior Singers

 

In addition to the Carol Service at the Cathedral, we have a summer concert, and a musical stage set up for sports day. Music is also a regular feature of assemblies and students are always welcome to perform. 

We also work closely with the Drama department and in recent years have presented The Monstrum, The Addams family and Bugsy Malone to name just a few.  

We have strong links with local county ensembles and primary schools which also give us opportunities for extra-curricular music work. 

 

Peripatetic Music Tuition

We offer a broad range of music tuition opportunities. We have a team of 13 visiting music tutors and offer tuition in 20- or 30- minute lessons which take place throughout the school day. Students come out of lessons on a rotating basis. Shared lessons are available at the discretion of the tutor.

We are currently able to offer music lessons on the following instruments but if we cannot offer something that you would like to learn, we will pursue all reasonable enquiries!

  • Violin
  • Viola
  • Cello
  • Piano
  • Keyboard
  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • Recorder
  • Clarinet
  • Saxophone
  • Trumpet/Cornet
  • Trombone
  • French Horn
  • Euphonium
  • Tenor Horn
  • Tuba
  • Drum Kit
  • Voice
  • Acoustic/Classical
  • Electric Guitar
  • Bass Guitar
Subject Documents Date  
Music Curriculum Overview 13th May 2020 Download