PERFORMING ARTS - MUSIC

» About Us
» The Music Department Team
» Curriculum
» Extra-Curricular Activities
» Technology

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About Us

In Music, our philosophy is clear.  We learn by "listening, watching and ...... DOING!" Music is a universal language, and at The Aylesbury Vale Academy we truly understand it. As an art form old as humankind, music represents a common bond between all cultures. It allows us to communicate beyond our national boundaries, through age ranges and across the divide of history. For these reasons the The Aylesbury Vale Academy Music department is deeply committed to inspiring young people musically. Learning music improves teamwork, communication and builds self-esteem. It enables young minds to explore their own emotions and interpret those of others, which in turn fosters more sophisticated, empathetic minds - minds which are expanded and often more capable as a result of learning an instrument.

The Music Department has established itself as an integral part of the Performing Arts team.   We offer a broad and diverse curriculum throughout KS3, GCSE, with extended learning outside school hours.  Lessons are very much practical based and offer many opportunities for students to access a variety of different instruments from different cultures. Students develop their musical appreciation, listening, performance, improvisation and composition skills throughout KS3, including regular singing and rhythm based activities. Students at the Aylesbury Vale Academy also now have use of two industry standard Apple Macintosh suites for classroom teaching, opening up the world of music technology. There are also four practice rooms, a tutorial room and a recording studio which students can access.

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The Music Department Team

Curriculum Leader

Mr C Hallam - challam@theacademy.me

Teacher of Music

• Miss J Kissick
• Mrs Z Stefanczyk

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Curriculum

Key Stage 3

Year 7

In Year 7 topics that students study include: The Elements of Music (Pitch, Tempo, Dynamics, Rhythm, Texture, and Timbre), Rhythm and Notation, World music-(African, Calypso, and Reggae). Throughout the different units students study the key features of each style. Students will also develop their keyboard skills and have opportunities to perform independently and in ensembles. Singing is regularly encouraged in lesson time. Students are also introduced to Garageband which enables students to develop their compositional skills and understand the use of arranging music and using loops. Musical appreciation of different types of music is very much encouraged.

Year 8

In Year 8 topics that students study include: Film music Jazz, Blues and Swing, Popular song and Ground Bass. Students continue to develop their performance, listening, and compositional skills throughout all units. Improvisation is encouraged as much as possible throughout the Jazz and Blues unit. This allows student to explore and create within the context of the style and genre. The use of the Blues scale, Walking bass and chords is explored in more detail. Again solo and Ensemble skills are very much encouraged. Students have access to different instruments within the department including guitars, drums, keyboards, glockenspiels and an array of percussion instruments. The use of sequencing software is also explored further especially within the Ground bass unit where students essentially make their own dance music track based on Pachelbel’s Canon.

Keyboards are used extensively throughout year 7 and 8 as they allow for a better overall musical understanding and application of skills and techniques. Of course any student who is learning an instrument will always be encouraged to bring their instrument to classroom based lessons.

Students in Year 7 and 8 are assessed twice in a half term with clear success criteria and areas they need to improve on. The assessment cards give a clear way to track student’s progress over time. 

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Key Stage 4 Curriculum

GCSE Music - OCR Specification

GCSE music provides a contemporary, accessible and creative education in Music with an integrated approach to the three main elements – performing, composing and appraising.

GCSE music enables learners to explore performance and composition with a focus on their own instrument and offer opportunity to explore new instrumental skills. Through the various genres, styles and eras contained in our Areas of Study they will explore musical context, musical language, and performance and composition skills.

Course outline

Areas of Study 1 - My Music-Students focus on their chosen instrument and develop performance and composition skills. They are required to perform one solo and one ensemble piece of their choice. Students can sing for their performance work. There is considerable time to developing instrumental skills in class, although students would be expected to follow a regular practice regime out of class time. It is preferable for students to have an instrumental teacher to guide them on a one to one basis although not essential if the student shows musical competence, skill and enthusiasm for the subject.

Area of Study 2 - The Concerto through Time- Students look at the development of the concerto from 1650-1910. The focus will be on instruments, the development of the orchestra, and the relationship between the soloist and the orchestra. Baroque, Classical and Romantic concertos are all explored in detail.

Area of Study 3 - Rhythms of the world. Students study the traditional rhythmic roots from four geographical regions of the world. India and Punjab/Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East/Africa/Central and South America. Within these regions students study African, Samba, Bhangra, Indian Classical, Greek, Palestinian, Israeli and Calypso music. Students will become familiar with the key features both rhythmically and melodically. Students will get to explore each genre by listening and performing activities

Area of Study 4 - Film Music- Students study a range of music for films including music that has been composed specifically for a film. Music from the Western Classical tradition that has been used within a film. Music that has been composed as a soundtrack for a video game is also part of the learning experience. Students look at the creation of a soundtrack and the use of technology within this unit. Film music questions come up regularly in the listening exam and application and knowledge of musical elements is key for success here

Area of Study 5 – Conventions of Pop music- Students study a range of pop music from the 1950’s to the present day. This includes- Rock N Roll from the 1950’s and 60’s, Rock Anthems from the 70’s and 80’s, Pop Ballades, and Solo artists from the 1990’s to the present day. The styles of music include rock, rap and dance music.

Throughout the course students develop their performance and composition skills and are able to access new state of the art I-Macs where they can develop their music sequencing and ICT skills.

Details of assessment

• 1 Solo and 1 ensemble performance- 30% internally assessed.
• 2 composition tasks- 30% internally assessed.
• Listening exam- 40% externally assessed.

Home Learning

Students will be provided with a series of revision and home learning tasks. These will be based around the listening topics from the Areas of Study covered. Audio files will also be provided and further listening suggestions will be given to the students to read and listen around different topics. A key part of home learning is also based on the expectation students will be developing skills on their chosen instrument in both a performance and compositional capacity.

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BTEC Music (Technology)

Course Information

This qualification has been developed to provide an engaging and stimulating introduction to the world of music. It includes two core units that form the fundamental knowledge and understanding of music principles, followed by a selection of five optional specialist units from which a further two are chosen. The core units recognise the importance of knowledge about music for anyone wanting to be successful in the industry. The core also provides opportunities for the development of music skills through the development of a music product.

Unit 1 - The Music Industry

Developing an understanding about different types of organisations that make up the music industry and the type of work each undertakes, who is responsible for what role, and learning why and how things are done.

Unit 2 – Managing a Music Project

Students will plan, develop and deliver a live concert/event as a team. Looking at factors that affect the content of a concert and the technical and logistical requirements and restraints.

Unit 3 – Music Recording

Students will learn techniques to produce their own live recording that will be mixed to create a finished product. They will learn about equipment and technology used in their process.

Unit 4 – Music Sequencing

Students will experiment and explore a music software package in order to enter their chosen song and manipulate it using a variety of features and techniques.

Details of assessment

Unit 1 is 25% of final mark. Externally assessed. 1 hour paper-based exam marked my Edexcel.

Unit 2 is 25% of final mark. Internally assessed, externally moderated. This consists of keeping a record of task achieved by creating a folio of completed work.

Unit 3 is 25% of final mark. Internally assessed, externally moderated. This consists of completing a written log to display evidence of progress achieved.

Unit 4 mark is 25% of final mark - Internally assessed, externally moderated. This consists of completing a written log to display evidence of progress achieved.

Home learning

Students will be provided with regular homework tasks. Homework tasks will be linked closely to the core learning tasks that are within the assignment brief given before the beginning of each unit. If students have sequencing software at home such as Garageband or Logic, or even free downloadable sequencing software they will be encouraged to develop and explore mixing and sequencing skills which can be linked into normal classroom work.

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Extra-Curricular Activities

Peripatetic Music Lessons

At the Aylesbury Vale Academy we have experienced peripatetic staff who are dedicated to give a high standard of music teaching. Students are able to learn a variety of different instruments including, keyboard/piano/Guitar (all types) drums/violin/singing/flute, clarinet, and saxophone.

Practise Sessions

Students are able to access the practise rooms at set times during the week whether during lunch and break times or after school.

There are lots of possibilities for students to develop their instrumental and vocal skills through Orchestra, Choir, and Rock group, which are on a weekly basis.

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