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KS3: MYP Music

Intent

This academic year students will study Music in KS3 on a carousel along with other Performing Arts subjects of Dance and Drama. Throughout the year they will study two topics over a 12 week period. The students will be taught how to research information and develop their own understanding of performance and composition. This will then allow pupils to rehearse and develop a final composition with performance, watched by their peers with feedback given. The chosen topics are designed to encourage further study of music at key stage 4

Curriculum outline

In year 7 students will learn a range of musical techniques building the foundations required to create and perform throughout KS3. Students will begin to develop their devising skills by creating performances inspired by a range of stimuli and applying the skills they learn each lesson. By the end of year seven students will be able to create original content, explaining how they have used a range of skills to finalise an artistic intention. 

In year 8 students will continue to develop their skills through the lens of physical theatre. Students will be able to explain and justify the skills needed to perform within the style, allowing students to work creatively. Students will take an existing piece of work and apply a range of skills to make it their own performance. By the end of year 8 students will be confident in devising their own material as well as developing performance. 

In year 9 students will continue to develop their understanding of how skills are used to create a composition with a brief of the genre of Electronic Dance Music. This will allow students to think creatively when working with a piece of script. Students will then apply all the skills they have developed throughout KS3 to create their own piece of music. Students will work by themselves developing their own ideas. By the end of Year 9 students will have core skills and techniques required for Key Stage Four. 

Schedule of learning

Elements of Music (Weeks 1-6)

  • DR SMITH (Dynamics, Rhythm, Structure, Melody, Instrument, Tempo, Harmony)
    What is an element? 
  • What are the elements of music? 
  • How do we apply these elements within a composition? 
  • How can we analyse music using DR SMITH?
  • How do the elements impact a piece of music? 
  • Can musical elements influence how we listen to music? 
  • How interesting would music be without elements?

Inquiry Question: How are musical elements used to create expression & composition within music?

  • Criteria A – How do Musical Elements communicate meaning to an audience? 
  • Criteria B – Practically exploring ideas using the musical elements.
  • Criteria C – Rehearse and perform an original or existing piece of music.
  • Criteria D – Setting actions and targets to develop performance skills.

Popular Song (weeks 7-12)

  • Keyboard Skills
  • Exploring genres of music – Classical, Pop & Reggae
  • Understanding Melody – How do we read and play a melody from the treble clef?
  • Theory – What is a chord sequence? How do we produce and play chords?How do we play chords on the keyboard? 
  • Technique – How do we play scales?

Inquiry question: How does music communicate with different cultures around the world?

  • Criteria A – Understanding different music techniques, traditions, practises and styles. 
  • Criteria B– Practically explore ideas for example through motifs, instrumentation, technology and styles and so on.
  • Criteria C – Perform music to an audience 
  • Criteria D– Reflect on their acquisition and developments of skills and techniques.

Schedule of learning

Film Music (Weeks 1-6)

  • What is film music?
  • How does film music enhance the movie?
  • What is a loop? 
  • How can we arrange loops and samples to compose?
  • How can we compose a theme?
  • What is adaptive music? 
  • What is a leitmotif?
  • What does diegetic and non-diegetic mean?
  • What is the role of a melody? 
  • How are characters, scenes and colours combined to narrate a plot musically? How are musical palettes developed?
  • How does an instrument’s role change when composing for film? 
  • Are film scores just layers of loops?
  • Can music truly narrate a story?

Inquiry Question: Does film Music enhance the communication of onscreen visual ideas by the presentation of a musical soundtrack to the audience which is dependent upon the personal and cultural expression of both the film writer/ composer and viewer/listener.

  • Criteria A – How does music communicate emotion to an audience? 
  • Criteria B – Practically exploring compositional ideas using a DAW.
  • Criteria C – Rehearse and produce an original piece of music.
  • Criteria D – Setting actions and targets to develop performance skills.

The Blues (weeks 7-12)

  • What is Rock n’ Roll?
  • What are The Blues?
  • What are the 12 bar Blues?
  • How is the 12 bar Blues constructed? 
  • How do we play chords?
  • What is a chord progression?
  • How can we arrange chords?
  • What is a melody?
  • How do we read from the treble clef?
  • How can we structure music?
  • How can we perform the Blues?
  • How do we improvise?

Inquiry question: Does Blues Music enhance musical expression and communication both personally and culturally?

  • Criteria A – How does Blues music communicate a narrative to an audience? 
  • Criteria B – Practically exploring Basslines, Harmony (chords) structure and scales leading to improvisation..
  • Criteria C – Rehearse and perform an original piece of improvised blues music.
  • Criteria D – Setting actions and targets to develop performance skills.

Schedule of learning

Electronic Dance Music or EDM (Weeks 1-6)

  • What is Electronic Dance Music? 
  • What is a Loop?
  • What is a DAW?
  • What is a chord progression?
  • What is a melody?
  • What is a bassline?
  • What elements and characteristics does Electronic Dance Music feature?
  • What instrumentation is present within EDM?
  • How can we use technology to compose?
  • How can we compose a drum beat using Bandlab (DAW)
  • How can we use loops and samples within our compositions?
  • How can we use musical elements to produce varied and interesting compositions?

Statement of inquiry: Music expresses to an audience personal and cultural identity. 

  • Criterion A – Understanding what technological developments that have happened within styles of dance music will help students to consider how this influences the development of the style.
  • Criterion B – Understanding what skills are needed in order to create a piece of music that makes use of technology.
  • Criterion C – Understanding to use technology in a creative way to create a composition.
  • Criterion D – Understanding what features are being used and how this has been affected by context and purpose and technological innovation. Understanding how we can create an artistic response based on music on how we use the technological innovations found in different dance genres.

Assessment

For each topic, across key stage three, students will carry out research, rehearse, perform and evaluate their own and other work from performances of their peers.

Criteria

How this is assessed

1.1

To know and identify Musical Elements (DR SMITH) Dynamics, Rhythm, Structure, Melody, Instruments, Tempo, Harmony

1.2

To know how to apply elements to a composition.

1.3

To understand how to work both in a group and on your own effectively.

1.4

To know what makes a successful rehearsal.

1.5

To understand basic music theory and notation.

1.6

To understand and explain what makes an effective piece of music.

1.7

To understand how to review a performance.

Criteria

How this is assessed

1.1

To understand why we have film music.

1.2

To understand how music enhances the scene or a movie.

1.3

To understand how music creates emotion with film.

1.4

To understand how music can tell a story.

1.5

To understand what a chord progression is.

1.6

To have an enhanced knowledge of music theory and notation.

1.7

To understand how to critically review a performance.

Criteria

How this is assessed

1.1

To understand what Electronic Dance Music is and how it has evolved over the years.

1.2

Effectively use recording and arranging techniques to produce a composition.

1.3

To competently compose a piece of music that has evidence of EDM features and characteristics.

1.4

To effectively demonstrate compositional skills using a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).

1.5

To effectively use musical elements to compose an interesting and varied piece of music.

1.6

To have a comprehensive knowledge of instrumentation used within EDM. 

1.7

To understand what a chord progression is and know how to play one. 

Assessment

Composition of an original piece of music to a piece of Electronic Dance Music recorded and arranged on Bandlab containing relevant and authentic qualities of the EDM genre.  

This is uploaded to Google Classroom for marking.

Final grades are then awarded from a range of 1-8, with each ascending grade demonstrating the students mastery of that particular subject.

Resources

KS4: GCSE Music

Intent

The Music department has developed a curriculum to further the skills that students have learnt at key stage three. Students will continue to work in ensembles but also develop independent study and  personal musicianship honing in on key knowledge to master key skills when performing solo.  

Curriculum Journey

Students will continue to develop their performance skills, through studying various genres of music including classical, pop and rock. Students are encouraged to perform and a number of events are in the diary so students will get this opportunity.

Careers

Pupils studying Music will be well placed to pursue a career pathway in:

  • Session Musician / Recording Artist
  • Performer
  • Music Tutor/ Educator
  • Composer

Assessment

Internal Assessment

External Assessment

Year 10

  • Knowledge test – Google Form (December 2023)
  • Mock Written Exam – Past paper (June 2024)

Year 11

  • Component 1: 30% of qualification –  Performance 
    Internally assessed – student’s work and marks submitted online by 5th May 2025.  Video recording of a performance with a score or a lead sheet based on the piece – submitted online
  • Component 2: 30% of qualification – Composition (4-6 mins)

Written Exam

Submission of 2 compositions each 3-6 minutes in length. Brief – set by WJEC during the first week of September 24. Marks submitted internal assessed work online by 5th May 2025

  • Module 1: An Introduction to GCSE music
  • Module 2: AOS  1 – Forms & Devices
  • Module 3: AOS 2 – Music for Ensemble & Composition
  • Module 4: AOS 3 – Film Music
  • Module 5: AOS 4 – Popular Music
  • Module 6: AOS 5 – Music Terms and Signs
  • Module 1: Forms and Devices 2
  • Module 2: Popular Music 2
  • Module 3: Preparation for Jan mock exam & Music for Ensemble 2 (musical theatre)
  • Module 4: Preparation/ revision materials for all areas of study and set works for Year 11 Listening Exam
  • Module 5: Written Exam