- Home
- Learning & Curriculum
- Subject Information
- Music
Music
BackWe believe that music is a fundamental aspect of human life that everyone has the right to explore as part of their development. Our aim is to deliver a broad and meaningful musical education, developing students’ awareness of cultural richness and diversity, to provide a solid grounding for all our students to:
-
Develop their love of music in any musical genre/style
-
Recognise their musicality and the potential to pursue it in the future
-
Understand that, although an abstract art form, music can communicate meaning and be a means of self expression
-
Understand that music is a social activity that connects people in a unique way
-
Understand how the elements of music create effect and expression, to enhance their musical experiences.
Key Stage 3
Music lessons at Hertswood are aimed at bringing students into contact with musicians’ activities of composing, performing, listening and appraising. By working directly with the raw materials of music, students can best discover something of its nature - its vitality - its evocative power and the range of its expressive qualities. At Key Stage 3 students learn about the elements of music, the basic building blocks of all music, they learn to play instruments, sing in harmony, compose using music software, create bands, learn the theory that underpins music and explore the vast array of music from all over the globe.
They may also choose to study an instrument, individually or in pairs, with our visiting tutors. Instruments currently available are: piano, keyboard, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar, voice, violin and drum kit.
Key Stage 4
In Years 10 and 11 students have the choice to take GCSE Music, in which they further develop their performing, composing and appraising skills. Their performing work takes the form of solo and group performances prepared and supported by our visiting instrumental and vocal staff. Composing can be in any style or genre often utilising cloud-based software to realise student ideas. The appraising work takes the form of detailed analysis of eight pieces of music spanning the globe from the 1600 to the present day.
Key Stage 5
The Sixth Form have the opportunity to follow the A-Level Music course, putting on and performing in their own recital, composing extensive pieces using professional level scoring software and developing a fuller understanding of how music has developed from the dawn of time to the present day including Instrumental Music, Film Music, Vocal Music, Jazz and Popular Music.
Year |
Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
---|---|---|---|
Year 7 |
Elements of Music Keyboard & Notation The Voice |
Instrumentation Structure |
Metre Rhythm |
Year 8 |
Elements refresher The Band Harmony & Hooks |
Song Writing Beat-Metre & Rhythm 2 |
Film Music ReFix |
Year 9 |
Elements Refresher Pitch & Notation Scales & Intervals Tempo, Beat-Metre & Rhythm Solo Performance |
Melody & Harmony Composition Exercises |
Film Music - Star Wars Ensemble Performance |
Year 10 GCSE |
Vocal Music - Queen Vocal Music - Purcell Solo Performance |
Instrumental Music - Bach Composition 1 |
Musicals - Wicked Fusion - Samba Solo Performance |
Year 11 GCSE |
Instrumental Music - Beethoven Fusion - Afro Celt Sound System Composition 2 - Exam brief |
Ensemble Performance Composition 2 - Exam brief Revision
|
Revision |
Extra-Curricular Enrichment
Music students are encouraged to access extra curriculum opportunities that run through the school year such as Opus One Ensemble, Rock School, Studio Sessions and Choir and learn through experience with trips to Hertfordshire Schools' Gala at the Royal Albert Hall, John Gardiner Orchestral Rehearsal & Meet the Players.
Independent Learning Resources
- The Knowledge
- Quizlet