Music is everywhere in our world; it can evoke strong emotions and memories in us that no other experience can and is integral to significant events in our lives.
At Beckfoot Upper Heaton, we follow the KS3 National Curriculum for Music. We inspire our pupils to develop a love of all music, covering genres and composers from around the world and across different eras.
We build self-confidence and resilience through regular performance work and encourage the pupils to compose creatively within groups as well as independently. It is our aim to engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement.
Enrichment
Our pupils are given a variety of opportunities to perform in front of their peers and audiences within the local community.
We also hold showcases throughout the year to give students the opportunity to display their passion for music to their peers, staff and our families.
Assessment
Formative and summative assessment will take place throughout students three years studying English to support and address any misconceptions and further inform teaching.
Careers
In terms of career options, singers and musicians may be the most visible jobs in music, but you could carve out a career in a number of areas including:
- Performing
- Songwriting
- Composing
- Music education
- Music production
- Marketing and PR
Curriculum Overview
| Year | Cycle 1 | Cycle 2 | Cycle 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 7 | Transition unit: pupils will begin to develop an understanding of the musical elements of pitch and rhythm through performances using the voice, keyboards and percussion instruments. | Keyboard skills: Pupils focus on their individual keyboard skills through the performance of simple melodies as both soloists and classroom ensembles. | Notation: Pupils begin to develop their knowledge of standard musical notation through performance and composition activities. |
| Year 8 | Musical structure: Pupils begin to develop an understanding of musical structures through listening and performing activities. Pupils focus on binary (AB), ternary (ABA) and rondo structures (ABACADEA) | Music and drama: Pupils begin to develop and understanding of the function of music in Opera, Ballet and Musicals through solo and ensemble performances of repertoire from each genre. | Global music: Pupils develop a further understanding of musical elements and how they are used in music from different places and cultures from around the globe. |
| Year 9 | Ground bass variations: Pupils continue to develop their understanding of musical forms and structures through a solo and ensemble performance of Time Lapse by the film composer Nyman. | Film music: Pupils continue to develop their compositional skills through the composition of a Leitmotif for a chosen character from a film. Pupils create s storyboard and compose an appropriate underscore for the scene. | Music production: Pupils begin to develop a basic understanding of music production techniques using sequencing software to create a basic music track composition. |