At Key Stage 4, students can opt to study
Year 9 GCSE foundation year units of work:
- Unit 1 : Chords (Notation)
- Unit 2 : Variations (Form)
- Unit 3 : Indian Music (World)
- Unit 4 : Duet (Vocal)
- Unit 5 : Percussion (Orchestral)
- Unit 6 : Film Music (Historical)
Year 10 GCSE Units of work:
Unit 1. Area of study 1: Musical Forms and Devices. Structure, Variation form, Baroque and modern examples. Rondo, Rondeux, Ritornello.
Unit 2. Area of study 1: Musical Forms and Devices. ABA. Binary, Terraced dynamics, Canon Reggae, Blues, Britpop.
Unit 3. Popular Music and fusion. Area of study 4. Pavane, Irish and Scottish fusion, Modal music and Fusion cultures. Impressionism.
Unit 4. Music for Ensemble Area of study 2. Pavan , Minuet, Canon, Carrillion.
Unit 5. Popular Music and fusion World. Area of study 4. Scales, Fusions. Serialism and Expressionism, Minimalism.
Unit 6. Music for film and TV. Area of study 3: Film Music. Animation, Brass, Strings, timbre, Dynamics. Cubase. Set works and Mock exam. Time signatures including irregular ones.
Year 11 Units of work;
Area 1. Forms and devices including form not already covered. Periods of musical history; Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th century. Exam board composition set work
Unit 2. Area 4 popular music. Bhangra, Fusion, Pop history, pop set work, Solo performance.
Units 3. Exam content revision techniques. Past papers. Free composition. Ensemble performance.
Unit 4. Mock exams. Film music Area 4, special effects, music processing. Harmonies and patterns. Various textures, monophonic, polyphonic, homophonic, heterophony. Film texture, dynamics. Exam preparation and practise. Recording solo and ensemble pieces.
Deadlines are before the Easter holiday to allow reporting grades to parents and students.
Successful completion of either of these courses would allow students to continue onto Level 3 Music qualifications, or for some A Level Music.