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Music

Curriculum and Staffing

Introduction

The delivery of Music at Waingels College is fun, enthusiastic, diverse and enlightening and it provides opportunities for students to be active and creative in their learning. Every opportunity is taken to relate topics we explore to the music that students experience in their everyday lives, and the topics are carefully planned to activate each student's learning, both educational and personal. Music is taught to all of KS3 (year 7 and 8 and an option in year 9). GCSE and A Level grades in Music are excellent, reflecting the high standard of teaching delivered by the teachers in the department.

Years 7, 8 and 9

Students study a wide variety of projects that build on their skills set and help develop their confidence in performing, composing and appraising music. They will experience different genres and styles, as well as music from across the ages. Students receive a practical lesson every week. At the end of every project, students will be formally assessed with an attainment and attitude to learning grade. Informal appraisal takes place throughout every lesson.

MUSIC: Students continue with project based work centred around tasks that will develop their understanding of what will be required of them at GCSE. Amongst other topics, they will look at Film Music, Popular Music and Music from Around the World, which are all areas that are studied in more detail at GCSE. Students will be assessed through verbal and written feedback with an attainment and attitude to learning grade given after every project.

Years 10 & 11

Music at GCSE is a very highly regarded subject and it is well documented that studying music has many educational benefits. Employers, colleges and universities look very favourably on Music as a subject as it suggests a person will have many additional skills.

The Edexcel course is split into three main components: Composing (30% coursework), Performing (30% coursework) and Appraising (40% listening and written exam). To prepare for the final exam and to help develop skills and with composing coursework, we study eight set works (pieces of music) throughout the two years and these come from four Areas of Study:

Instrumental Music (music by Bach and Beethoven),
Vocal Music (music by Queen and Purcell),
Music for Stage and Screen (music from Wicked and Star Wars), and
Fusions (music by Afro Celt Sound System and Esperanza Spalding).

Studying these varied pieces of music help students to appreciate and understand music from different times and in different genres. Music is, of course, a very practical subject and students will also develop their composing and performing skills through group and individual tasks.

A link to the Edexcel specification can be found here

Careers and Future Study

Music performance and composition
Sound engineering
Journalism
Primary and Secondary school teaching
Advertising and Marketing
Film, Radio and Television
Social work, Youth work and Special needs work
Music Therapy
Law and Politics
Conductor
Orchestral player
And many more!!

Sixth Form

Students will focus on three main areas in year 12 and then an extended version of these areas in year 13 based on the EDEXCEL syllabus. They will study a variety of set works that are related to a written exam, perform a solo on their chosen instrument and compose a piece based on a brief, chosen by the exam board. Students who study Music at A Level often go on to study a variety of university courses leading to careers in performing arts, teaching (primary, secondary and/or peripatetic), the music industry (composer, lyric writer, producer) and performing/orchestral work.

A link to the Edexcel specification can be found here:

Extra Curricular Opportunities