Intent:

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.

Aims:

The national curriculum for music aims to ensure that all pupils:

•  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

Implementation:

Students participate in a variety of practical and theory exercises that develop themselves as listeners, performers and composers. They study a range of music; from the religious Renaissance to the experimental Twentieth Century, a variety of World and Popular music to the soundtracks of film, radio and video games.

Students have the opportunity to use a range of instruments, practice room facilities, and the Mac suite to develop their ability to use Music Technology to write, edit and master compositions. There are extra-curricular clubs after school to further their musical skills beyond the classroom, including a choir, music technology club and instrumental lessons, as well as visits to concert venues and music events.