Music
Only the person who has questions can have real understanding. Examples of essential disciplinary questions that are vital to Music at Blanchelande are:
How and why does music affect us emotionally?
Does the same music have different effects on people from different cultural backgrounds?
Can music be used to manipulate me – and am I less susceptible if I understand how?
Which modern composers will still be remembered in 100 years time? Why?
Should composers and musicians have any rights over music generated by AI that has been trained on their work?
Pupils follow a curriculum that develops their musical knowledge and understanding through the main elements of music: performing, composing and listening/appraising. All Year 3 – Year 9 classes each have a two-period (70 minute) lesson each week.
During Key Stage 3 pupils have opportunity to explore music individually, in groups and as whole classes. All pupils are helped to develop their skills in performance (both vocally and instrumentally), composition and listening/music commentary.
Year 7: Musical Elements and Singing
Our Year 7 programme provides opportunity to explore music through singing, in unison and in harmony, and through composing for voice and pitched instruments.
Michaelmas Term: In Term 1 the focus is on our own singing voice, singing songs from our own and other cultures, and on the elements of music common across vocal and instrumental music.
Hilary Term: We focus on performing together in Term 2 as we explore musical forms and sing and improvise in blues, jazz and other styles.
Trinity Term: Musical structure completes the work in Term 3 and provides students with an understanding of how to create and assess melodies and how to compose using simple musical forms.
Year 8: From Jazz to the Sahara, Structure and Emotion in Music
Drawing on popular music, Western classical music, film scores and music of other cultures, students in Year 8 explore how music is created out of repeated and changing patterns and they learn to develop musical ideas using techniques of variation and accompaniment.
Michaelmas Term: In Term 1 students learn about repeated musical patterns in different genres and develop their own melodic and rhythmic patterns using a variety of instruments. Students continue to work on keyboard skills throughout the year.
Hilary Term: Term 2 focuses on performing, varying and accompanying simple compositions. The students will create their own set of variations on a well-known tune and will explore how different ways of accompanying a tune affect the music’s projection of mood or emotion.
Trinity Term: In Term 3 we consider film music, starting with the old silent movies (and where music could have been effective) and moving to music in cartoons and finally soundtracks for mega-movies. Building on the composing skills acquired in Years 7 and 8, the students will create a soundtrack for a short animation using GarageBand and will investigate how their musical score manipulates responses to the film.
Year 9: Dance and Popular Music
Michaelmas Term: Our Year 9 programme begins by exploring Dance Music from different times and places with a rotating emphasis on waltz, tango, American line dance, disco, club dance and folk dance of other cultures. By examining characteristic musical features of dance music, students will understand the important connection between the steps, movement and formation of the dance and will grasp how these are inter-related with musical features such as time, metre, rhythms and chords.
Hilary Term: Term 2 introduces the polyrhythmic style of Latin-American Samba, revisits key concepts of rhythm and beat/pulse, and explores polyrhythms, cyclic rhythms, syncopation, ostinato and call and response. The experience of performing together as a class or larger-group ensemble aims to give students the exhilaration and physical impact of ensemble percussion music.
Trinity Term: In Term 3 our work explores popular song from the 1960s onwards with particular focus on song structure, texture and developments in technology and the impact of these on popular music genres. We discuss this music alongside the cultural issues of the time. Students will be able to demonstrate their developing composition skills and understanding of song form through the composition element of the course which uses GarageBand and LogicPro X.
GCSE Music
This dynamic qualification integrates performing, composing and appraising as the three components of musicianship. Pupils develop skills in solo and ensemble work, whilst practicing the principles of musical composition and developing a discerning ear for a wide range of genres and styles. The Areas of Study in GCSE Music broaden students’ understanding of how music communicates, how it captures social change and technological possibilities and how it explores creativity and virtuosity.
Course Specification: OCR
Areas of Study (AoS): Film Music, Conventions of Pop Music, the Classical Concerto, and World Musics
Coursework: 60%
Exam: 40%
A-level Music
A-level Music integrates performing, composing and appraising across four areas of study that encompass classical and popular musics. Students develop a high level of musicianship as well as strong skills in theoretical and critical analysis. The A-level qualification broadens musical understanding whilst honing students’ creative skills and deepening their knowledge of musical styles and contexts.
Course specification: OCR
Two required AoS: Instrumental Music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven
Two additional AoS from four choices: Instrumental Jazz from 1910 to the Present; Religious Music of the Baroque Period; Programme Music, 1820-1910; Innovations in Music from 1900 to the Present Day
Coursework: 60%
Exam: 40%
Extra-curricular musical opportunities
Students are encouraged to join extra-curricular music activities, including the Blanchelande College Cantors, Schola Cantorum, Orchestra, Bands and Chamber groups. Pupils will have opportunity to attend concerts, when available. Pupils take part in Spring Concerts and are encouraged to take part in musical activities throughout the year. Pupils are encouraged to have individual vocal and/or instrumental tuition. Pupils are welcome to come into the Music Department at lunchtimes to practice and develop their instrumental and composition skills.
