Music

ACADEMIC YEAR 2021/2022 YEAR 8

MUSIC

Music is a subject which is held in high regard by universities all over the world. It is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity.

Research suggests that a high-quality music education engages helps strengthen learning in all areas of the curriculum, as well as improving self-confidence, cognitive function and focus.

Music has the potential to make a significant contribution to children’s development: developing leadership skills, team work, concentration and problem-solving skills. Year 8 Music focuses on learning to play with two hands at the piano, compose using chords and harmony and the creation of layered compositions.

COURSE CONTENT - HARMONY LAYERS Unit 1 Composing with Chords

● The 4 Chord song ● Triads/Block chords/Broken chords/Arpeggios ● Chord progressions ● Playing with 2 hands at a keyboard ● Accompaniment patterns ● Melodic development ● Verse/chorus structure - focus on sound for assessment ● Ukulele chords

Unit 2 Reggae “Sequencing Sixths”

● Melody and chordal accompaniment ● Playing “sequencing sixths in a Reggae style” ● Play melody from notation ● Whole class performance ● Small group performance - record for assessment

ASSESSMENTS

Music is assessed through both group and individual performance. At the end of each unit the students perform and record their compositions and together they listen and use staff and appraise their work. There is no formal exam for Music at Keystage 3.

MUSIC

Unit 3 12 Bar Blues

● Focus on sound - for assessment ● The History of the Blues ● Listening to Blues music ● Developing a Blues style ● Chord riffs/Bass riffs ● Seventh Chords ● Improvisation/Blue notes ● Structure ● Perform and record ‘Jackass Blues’ for assessment

Unit 4 Layers and Textures through Minimalism and Techno

● Cyclic patterns ● Building layers ● Texture ● Melodies/counter melodies ● Use of repetition/ostinato ● Minimalist features and techniques ● Musical contexts - Minimalism ● Garageband - layers

Unit 5 Songs from Musicals

● Musical context SOW ● History of musicals ● Listening to and performing songs from musicals ● Basic score analysis ● Composing to a visual stimulus ● Brief introduction to Opera

SKILLS DEVELOPED

● Play and perform confidently in a range of solo and ensemble contexts using their voice, playing instruments musically, fluently and with accuracy and expression. ● Improvise and compose; extending and developing musical ideas by drawing on a range of musical structures styles, genres and traditions. ● Use staff and other relevant notations appropriately and accurately in a range of musical styles, genres and traditions. Identify and use the interrelated dimensions of music expressively and with increasing sophistication, including use of tonalities, different types of scales and other musical devices. ● Listen to a wide range of music from great composers and musicians. ● Develop a deepening understanding of the music that they perform and to which they listen and it’s history.