Music

Music is designed to develop learning while engaging the senses. The curriculum introduces students to music’s elements and genres, exploring their histories and development to build a solid foundation of knowledge and skills. Students learn various instruments and music technologies, gaining an understanding of industry standards and sharing their creative ideas. Regular performance opportunities allow them to showcase their talents within their peer groups and the broader school community, while visits to live music venues enrich their cultural knowledge.

A variety of musical genres exposes students to the powerful messages conveyed through music across generations, encouraging appreciation of cultural roots and their impact on today’s music. Music offers an immersive creative outlet and helps students build resilience by understanding that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process in a supportive environment.

In Key Stage 4, students focus on Composing, Performing, and Listening, building on their foundational knowledge. They learn to create instrumental or vocal pieces with accompaniment, gaining analytical skills in composition. Frequent practice develops muscle memory and lasting performance skills, while individual and group performances help students refine their musical expression. For those with a natural inclination toward performance, music provides a platform to convey their message, while others will continue to grow and explore a range of musical pieces.

Listening and music appreciation are integral to this development, as students learn to understand and integrate various musical influences into their work. Additional peripatetic lessons provide one-on-one guidance, allowing students to refine their skills on their chosen instruments, ultimately equipping them with the confidence and expertise to perform at a high standard.