Music

What is the nature of Music at FC level?

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 student’s 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?

FC Music lessons occur once a week, the basis of which are formed by investigating foundation areas of inquiry (AOIs), similar to units, which act as a springboard to expanding the student’s awareness of music in a global context. Students are encouraged to use these areas of inquiry as a starting point to further investigate their own interests in music. The course enables students to acquire and consolidate a range of basic musical skills, knowledge and understanding, through the exploration, experimentation and presenting of music they:

● Developing appropriate musical terminology through the lense of the musical elements (dynamics, rhythm, context, structure, melody, instrumentation, texture and harmony) ● Develop knowledge and understanding of music in relation to time, place and cultures ● Comparatively analyse music in relation to time, place and cultures ● Develop creativity through the exploration, control and development of musical elements ● Develop performance skills through presenting music as solos or in ensemble groups

What is the subject content?

Student’s are introduced to the Areas of Inquiry by investigating: ● Samba drumming ● African Ensembles (marimbas and drumming circles) ● Music production through a variety of technology ● Performing in groups (rock bands and ensembles)

Student-led areas of inquiry are interests that students generate themselves. These interests are encouraged and developed in a more organic way, either as an off-shoot of the foundation AOIs or from their own study into music. From identifying their own interests and exploring, experimenting and presenting music in these personal contexts students generate a life-long love of music learning. There is the potential to create service based opportunities based on the work produced as a result of these areas of inquiry to help students understand the role of music in a local context and to further embed SJI Internationals mission of leaving to serve.

Students will be given the opportunity to use a variety of acoustic instruments as well as ongoing access to music technology resources to assist their investigations into the AOIs.

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Exploration

When exploring music in context, students will learn how to engage with a diverse range of music that will broaden their musical horizons and provide stimuli to expand their own music-making. Students will demonstrate diversity and breadth in their exploration by engaging with music from the areas of inquiry in personal, local and global contexts.

Presenting

When presenting music, students learn to practise and prepare pieces that will be performed or presented to an audience (of at least their peers in the classroom). In working towards completed musical works, students expand their musical identity, demonstrate their level of musicianship, and learn to share and communicate their music as researchers, creators and performers.

Experimenting

When experimenting with music, students connect their studies of the AOIs to practical work and gain a deeper understanding of the music they engage with. Through this theoretical and practical work students will learn to experiment with a range of musical material and stimuli from the areas of inquiry across local and global contexts.

What is the nature of assessment?

Students will be assessed periodically throughout the course. This will come in the form of peer assessment, self-assessment, and teacher assessment. All assessments will also provide feedback for the students on how they can improve their work.

Students are given the opportunity to take part in a variety of assessment tasks and develop skills linked to both the student-led and foundation AOIs outlined above. This is in the form of performance based evidence, composition work, written tasks, portfolio style log entries and listening work.

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