Music

What is the nature of Music in Grades 7 and 8 Music?

A vibrant musical education fosters curiosity and openness to both familiar and unfamiliar musical worlds. Through learning and participating in the study of music we are able to explore the similarities, differences and links in music from within our own culture and that of others across time. At SJI International students’ learning and active musical engagement allows them to become informed, reflective and critical practitioners in music, to explore and value the diversity of the music across time, place and cultures and develop confidence and experience as a performer.

What is the approach to learning?

Students are required to develop musical skills and awareness through an integrated programme of listening, performing, appraising and composing. These practical activities aim to:

● Help students develop a perceptive, sensitive and critical response to the main historical periods and styles of Western Art music as well as the different genres and styles in music. ● Help students to recognize and understand the music of various non-Western traditions and thus to form an appreciation of cultural similarities and differences. ● Provide a foundation for the development of an informed appreciation of music. ● Provide a foundation for further study in music at IGCSE and IB levels. ● Have fun and develop a lifelong love for Music.

During the performance and composition components in the course, students will have opportunities to learn basic skills on keyboards, guitar, ukulele and various drumming and percussion instruments (including an ensemble performance unit on Indonesian Gamelan) as well as class singing. In Grade 7 and 8 Music, students will also explore Music Technology with access to one of the most comprehensive Music Technology facilities in Singapore and using programs such as GarageBand, Sibelius and Logic Pro.

What is the Subject Content?

Students will follow a curriculum which teaches different units through the elements of music; dynamics, rhythm, context, structure, melody, instrumentation, harmony and texture. These units extend from skills learnt in Grade 6 and help develop skills and knowledge required for IGCSE Music. Through the exploration of different musical elements, G7 and 8 Music is divided into the following three basic components:

Performing, Composing, Knowledge & Understanding

Learning Activities include:

● Performing on a range of instruments, including singing and other vocal expressions, individually, in small and large groups, in unison and in parts, to demonstrate control of technique through articulation, phrasing and dynamics. ● Composing from a range of stimuli, using a range of resources including Music Technology, developing ideas with improvisation, experimentation including electronic sound. ● Appraising recorded and own performances using musical language to demonstrate listening skills and understanding of music conventions and processes.

Grade 7 Music Units

African Drumming – Djembe and percussion ensemble performance, rhythmic composition and focused listening

4 Chord Song – Ukulele ensemble performance, collaborative arrangement/composition, focused listening, improvisation

Film Music – Keyboard performance, Music for media composition, focused listening

Reggae – Group performance (band instruments), lyric writing, Improvisation and focused listening

Grade 8 Music Units

Samba Drumming – Samba Drumming class and small group performance, focused listening, rhythmic improvisation

Minimalism – Tuned percussion and midi instrument group performance, composition & focused listening

Rock Bands - Ensemble performances of 1950s Rock n Roll and focussed listening

Music Production – Music technology composition, writing melodies and accompaniments, focused listening

What is the nature of assessment?

The junior music curriculum assesses students in the following four components; Students will be self and peer assessed during all projects, with formative and summative assessment taking place by the teacher. They will be assessed against common standards, and learn how to move up to the next level. Homework will be assessed in a variety of ways – sometimes with comments on how to improve and what has been successful, sometimes a grade, again supported by comments. Also throughout the year, in line with assessments from all subjects, parents will receive regular assessment grades on Teamie showing students attainment and progress throughout the year.

Students in music are assessed against 9 standards throughout the year, that feed into the 2 overall school categories of Developing Skills and Knowledge and Understanding:

Demonstrating Skills

Knowledge and Understanding

Presentation & Final work shows commitment, is presented professionally and Commitment appropriate to the setting

Accuracy Plays the intended notes with no mistakes and in time with a steady pulse

Playing

Techniques

Plays the instrument with the right finger choices, hand position and/or posture to create the most appropriate sound

Ensemble Highly engaged in group work by listening, communicating and

Skills adapting to those around them, maintaining the flow of the piece Musical Ideas Can creatively use melodic and rhythmic techniques when developing music

Structure & Can organise music into a clear structure, with inventive use of

Contrast musical elements to create contrast

Context Shows clear understanding of historical, social and cultural context of the music

Aural Skills Can identify elements of music through listening Terminology Can describe elements of music using appropriate vocabulary