Music What is Music?
We begin the GCSE course in Year 9, allowing pupils to have a taste of what Years 10 and 11 will entail should they choose to continue to GCSE. The course encompasses a wide range of musical styles and is sufficiently flexible to cater for a variety of musical tastes. It is based around the core musical elements of performing, composing and appraising.
What skills are involved?
Performing: Pupils should be learning an instrument and should be at a minimum standard of about Grade 2-3 at the start of the course. Both solo and ensemble performances will be undertaken. Composing and Appraising: These two elements are closely linked. Pupils will study a series of topics: Minimalism, pop music 1990s to the present, film and computer gaming music 1990s to the present, contemporary folk music of the British Isles, and piano music of Chopin and Schumann. In each case they will study examples of music from these topics and create short compositions based upon these styles. Pupils will have the opportunity to use the latest studio software such as Cubase and Dorico.
What sort of pupil does it suit and what will they get out of the course?
Pupils need to have a good musical ear and the ability to play an instrument to at least Grade 2 or 3. They will develop an appreciation for many unfamiliar styles of music, further their composing and performing skills, and develop self-appraisal skills.
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