Music
Music at Hellesdon High School gives students an opportunity to experience and explore a variety of instruments, musical genres and musical concepts within a practical and engaging environment.
Music - Education and experience
Music technology is also integral to our curriculum and is taught alongside practical topics across all key stages.
There are two music teachers in the department and 4 peripatetic staff. Instrumental lessons offered are bass guitar, drums, guitar, piano and vocals.
Curriculum music lessons consist of practical, technology and theoretical sessions. As well as a large practical space the main teaching classroom can accommodate a class of students with an iMac when teaching music technology. Students will also get the opportunity to use the 5 practice rooms in and outside of lesson time.
Across all Key Stages students will learn how to perform, compose and produce music.
- Performing – Performing on a chosen instrument or voice.
- Composing – Creating original pieces and understanding theory behind this.
- Producing – Using music technology in the creation of musical pieces.
In Key Stage 3 assessment takes place in the form of key vocabulary tests, compositions and performances. These three years provide a solid foundation of knowledge and skills on which to begin the Level 2 BTEC Tech Award in Music Practice.
Examination Courses
Key Stage 4 - Edexcel BTEC Music Level 2
The BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Music Practice gives learners the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment.
Component 1: Exploring Music Products and Styles (30% - Internally assessed assignments)
Students will:
- Explore different styles and genres of music.
- Take part in practical workshops to understand stylistic features and characteristics.
- Learn about the different products the music industry.
- Develop techniques in realising musical products.
Component 2: Music Skills development (30% - Internally assessed assignments)
Students will:
- Reflect on their progress, and on areas for improvement.
- Choose a job role and explore the skills needed to fulfil it.
- Develop a range of skills.
- Apply skills and techniques in a music performance, creation or production.
Component 3 Responding to a Commercial Music Brief (40% - Externally assessed task)
Students will:
- Choose an area of the industry that excites them (composer, performer, or producer).
- Explore the brief and come up with possible responses and ideas.
- Use relevant resources, skills and techniques to develop and refine musical material.
- Present their final response (solo or in a group).
- Review and reflect their approach to the brief and their final outcome.
Key Stage 5 - Edexcel BTEC Music Performance Level 3
Key topics covered:
Unit 1 – Practical Music Theory and harmony - A theoretical underpinning to inform other units.
Unit 2 – Professional Practice in the Music Industry - A two-part assessment in the form of (A) a research and (B) written task.
Unit 3 - Ensemble Music Performance - Learners will choose 3 songs from a prescribed list and assessment will be an ensemble performance towards the end of the course.
Unit 5 - Music Performance Session Styles – Learners with study different genres in popular music in theory and practice whilst creating cover versions of songs in different genres.
This course is designed for students who strive to improve their performance and music theory skills whilst studying the music industry in relation to their own career interests. Students will get the opportunity to rehearse and perform on a chosen instrument/voice. It is for post-16 learners who want to continue their education through applied learning and who aim to progress to higher education and ultimately to employment, possibly in the music sector or the creative sector as a whole.
Possible Higher Education Courses:
- BA (Hons) in Creative Musicianship
- BA (Hons) in Digital Music and Sound Arts
- BA (Hons) in Contemporary Music Performance
- BA (Hons) in Music
- BA (Hons) in Music Business
- BA (Hons) in Music for Media
- BA (Hons) in Music Performance
