Music

Staff

Head of Music

M. Ward, B.A. (Hons), M.Phil. (Birmingham), P.G.C.E. (B.C.U.)

 

Classroom Music Teachers

L. Ward, B.A., B.Mus. (B.Y.U.), M.Mus. (N.E.C.)

 

Instrumental Teachers

Instrument	Teacher Name
Piano and Cello	S. Czepiel, B.A. (Lancaster), M.Mus (London), P.G. Dip. (Warsaw)
Classical Guitar	O. Kinsella
Dhol and Tabla	J. Saini
Violin and Viola	J. Lawrence B.Mus., M.Mus. (Bangor)
Brass	N. Stevenson. BMus (Hons). PGCERT (SoI)
Woodwind	Z. Marklew, B.Mus. (Hons), A.T.C.L

 

Aims

The primary aim of the music department is to:

provide students with an exciting opportunity to explore music through performing, composing and appraising and to develop a lifelong interest in music.

Specifically we aim to enable students to: 

1. understand the basic elements of music.
2. perform on a number of different instruments (including using their voice) in a range of different styles.
3. compose music for different purposes on their own and in groups.
4. develop their confidence to perform to other students.
5. use technology to enhance their understanding of music.
6. Use the skills they have acquired in music in other subject areas and in other aspects of their life even after they leave KEVI HGS.
7. Develop an appreciation for traditions and cultures that are different to their own and develop a respect for them.

Facilities

The department is currently staffed by one full-time teacher and one part-time teacher.  The department team is completed by six instrumental tutors who teach over 100 students during their weekly visits. There is one large teaching space which is fitted out with a Welmar grand piano, Hifi system, 80inch interactice display, 16 28-inch workstations with a 5-octave MIDI keyboard attached. Each workstation has, Sibelius 7.5 and access to BandLab and MuseScore as well as Cubase. In addition to this there is a KS4 / KS5 teaching room adjacent to the main room, a rehearsal room and a walk-in storeroom, practice rooms, office space and priority access to the neighbouring School Hall.

KS3

The programme encourages and challenges students to develop their musical knowledge, understanding and skills through the following activities: composing, performing and listening as well as reviewing and appraising. The wide variety of musical styles covered includes: classical, blues, rock and pop, Latin American, African and Oriental. Students receive a 50-minute music lesson each week throughout Key Stage 3.

Units of work include:

• discovering the musical elements with Year 7
• experiencing world music (Indonesian gamelan and Indian Classical music) in Year 8
• composing a film sound track for Year 9

Please click here to view the Key Stage 3 Course Calendar.

GCSE (EDUQAS)

This two-year course provides opportunities for students to develop composing, performing and listening/appraising skills and to increase their musical knowledge and understanding by exploring four areas of study: western classical, 20th century, popular and world music.

Component 1: Performing (30%) – Coursework

Total duration of performances: 4-6 minutes. Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated

A minimum of two pieces, one of which must be an ensemble performance of at least one minute duration. The other piece(s) may be either solo and/or ensemble. One of the pieces performed must link to an area of study of the learner’s choice.

Component 2: Composing (30%) – Coursework

Total duration of compositions: 3-6 minutes. 
Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated

Two compositions, one of which must be in response to a brief set by WJEC Eduqas. Learners will choose one brief from a choice of four, each one linked to an area of study. The briefs will be released during the first week of September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken. The second composition is a free composition for which learners set their own brief.

Total playing time of both compositions should be at least 3 minutes

Candidates must complete a composition log

Component 3: Appraising (40%) – Written Exam

1 hour 15 minutes

This component is assessed via a listening examination. There are eight questions in total, two on each of the four areas of study.

Two of the eight questions will be based on prepared extracts set by the WJEC Eduqas.

Please click here to see the Key Stage 4 Course Calendar.

A-Level (EDUQAS) – 2-Year Pathway

Component 1: Performing – Options A or B

Non–exam assessment: externally assessed by a visiting examiner.

Option A: (35%) A performance consisting of a minimum of three pieces. At least one of the pieces should be as a soloist. The other pieces may be as a soloist, or as part of an ensemble, or a combination of both. One piece must reflect the musical characteristics of one area of study. At least one other piece must reflect the musical characteristics of one other, different area of study.

Option B: (25%) A performance consisting of a minimum of two pieces, either as a soloist, or as part of an ensemble, or a combination of both. One piece must reflect the musical characteristics of one area of study.

Component 2: Composing – Options A or B

Non-exam assessment: externally assessed by WJEC Eduqas.

Option A: (25%) Two compositions. One must reflect the musical techniques and conventions of the Western Classical Tradition, and be in response to a brief set by WJEC Eduqas. Learners will have a choice of four briefs, which will be released during the first week of September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken.The second composition is a free composition.

Option B (35%) Three compositions. One must reflect the musical techniques and conventions of the Western Classical Tradition, and be in response to a brief set by WJEC Eduqas. Learners will have a choice of four briefs, which will be released during the first week of September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken. The second composition must reflect the musical characteristics of a different area of study (i.e. not the Western Classical Tradition), and the third composition is a free composition.

Component 3: Appraising

Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes approximately

40% of qualification

The written examination focuses on three areas of study.

Area of study A: The Western Classical Tradition covering The Development of the Symphony, 1750 – 1900. Learners should choose one of the following set works for detailed analysis, and the other for general study:

Either: Symphony No.104 in D major, ‘London’ by Haydn or: Symphony No.4 in A major, ‘Italian’ by Mendelssohn

The second area of study should be selected from:

Area of study B: Rock and Pop (1960-2000)

Area of study C: Musical Theatre (Rodgers, Bernstein, Sondheim Schonberg, Lloyd Webber and Schwartz)

Area of study D: Jazz (1920-1960)
The third area of study should be selected from either,

Area of study E: Into the 20th Century, which includes 2 set works – Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano, Movement II by Poulenc and Three Nocturnes, Number 1 Nuages by Debussy or,

Area of study F: Into the 21st Century, which includes two set works – Asyla, Movement 3, Ecstasio by Thomas Adès and String Quartet No.2 (Opus California) Movements 1, Boardwalk and 4, Natural Bridges by Sally Beamish

 

Please click here to see the Key Stage 5 Course Calendar.

Extra-Curricular

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