Music
We see Music as a subject which brings communities together. We want to empower our students to be creative, to provide experiences which raise their aspirations and opportunities to enable them to achieve their potential. Through sharing our passions and interests we aim to inspire our students to be the best musicians that they can be and to contribute positively to our school and the wider musical community.
We provide our students with the opportunities to compose, perform and appraise throughout each Key Stage, with a range of different practical experiences to enrich their musical understanding and to be able to express themselves. Through an extensive extra curricular programme, we further develop our students’ interest, skills, curiosity and experience of different musical genre. We want our students to be able to develop a lifelong love of Music, so that Music can continue to enrich their futures.
Our Vision
Music is for all. It forms the soundtrack to our lives. It is creative, collaborative, celebratory, and challenging.
The sheer joy of music making can feed the soul of a school, enriching each student's school experience. The importance of Music is to bring our communities together, empower our students to be creative, raise aspirations and achieve their potential.
Extra Curricular
We have a range of extra curricular clubs that take place during lunch time 1:30pm - 2.05pm or after school 3:20pm - 4:20pm.
Instrumental Lessons
We have a fantastic team of 16 instrumental teachers that offer lessons in school either on an instrument or singing. Students can enter ABRSM/ Trinity practical exams usually through their teacher. Students are also offered the opportunity to participate in recital evenings which can support GCSE and A Level performances. If you are interested in instrumental lessons a letter is sent home at the start of each term giving students the opportunity to start lessons. Please click here for more information.
Performance Opportunities
One opportunity to perform per half term: 
Autumn 1 - Solo Recital (GCSE & A Level)
Autumn 2 - Young Musician Competition, Christmas Concert
Spring 1 - Annual Production
Spring 2 - Spring Recital, A Level Performances
Summer 1 - Battle of the Bands
Summer 2 - KS3 Solo Recital, Summer Concert, Abroad performance tour (every two years)
School Music Development Plan
please click here to view the school's Music Development Plan
The Music Department facilities
Recently refurbished purpose built facilities give students the best opportunity to engage with Music and gain their full potential. The Music Department has 2 teaching classrooms (a keyboard lab and an ICT suite), a rehearsal space and 6 practice rooms which are available to use during the school day. The new ICT suite has state of the art MIDI keyboards and up to date software to enable students to explore composition and create their own music using Ableton Live and Sibelius.
Key Stage 3 Learning Objectives
Year 7
- Elements of Music
- Rhythm, Notation, Dynamics, Texture
- Rhythm Chant
- Singing and performing in the Christmas Concert
- Instruments of the Orchestra
- Keyboards skills
- Indian Classical Music
- Introduction to Ableton Live
All units of work studied in Year 7 are designed to give a good knowledge of the Elements of Music. There are opportunities for students to perform their instruments. Each project has a different focus and the content is delivered with as much practical and performance work as possible. We consolidate the learning from lessons through homework tasks set using our online platform Focus on Sound, which we subscribe to as a department. Projects may be covered in a slightly different order depending on the spaces and equipment available.
Year 8
- Elements of Music, Notation, Rhythm - Revision from Year 7
- Theme and Variations
- Fur Elise & Chromaticism - development of independant keyboard skills
- Programme Music - introduction of Major and Minor Chords and compose a soundscape for a Haunted House as a whole class
- Film Music - Using Ableton Live to compose a soundtrack to accompany a film clip embedded within the software
The units of work studied in Year 8 build upon the essential Elements of Music learned from Year 7. These are then extended to gain a better understanding of melody and how it can be developed and varied, how effective Music can be in portraying a feeling or emotion. The projects may be covered in a slightly different order depending on spaces and equipment available.
Year 9
- Elements of Music, Notation, Rhythm - Revision from Year 8
- The Blues - including improvisation
- History of Pop Music - including ukulele and keyboard skills
- 20th Century composition techniques and Minimalism - including composing using Ableton Live
- Reggae Music
The Year 9 Music curriculum is about developing the whole musician by now starting to understand about chord progressions, and basslines. There are more opportunities to perform and compose in a different style in Year 9. The projects may be covered in a slightly different order depending on spaces and equipment available.
Key Stage 4 Learning Objectives
|
Exam Board |
Edexcel (Pearson) |
|
Assessed by |
Non-examination assessment - Performance examinations and composing Written examination |
Overview
The GCSE course brings together the three main components required for the study of Music – Performing, Composing and Listening/Appraising. It is a natural progression from skills acquired in Key Stage 3 although Grade 4 practical standard (ABRSM, Rock School or Trinity) on an instrument or as a vocalist is required if a high grade is to be achieved.
The skills studied during the course are based on four areas of study and in-depth analysis of pieces of music or set works:
- Instrumental Music
- Vocal Music
- Music for Stage and Screen
- Fusions
In total there are three components to the course:
- Component 1 Performing worth 30%
Candidates must prepare two practical submissions: a solo and an ensemble performance. These must be a minimum of one minute each in duration and total four minutes together. Performances are recorded and assessed in school during Year 11 and then sent for moderation.
- Component 2 Composing worth 30%
Candidates must prepare two compositions: one in response to a brief and the other a free choice composition. The set brief is released in September of Year 11 and the compositions are completed under controlled conditions in school. The compositions must be at least one minute in duration each and total three minutes together. Compositions are assessed internally and moderated externally.
- Component 3 Listening and Appraising worth 40%
During the external examination candidates listen to a series of short musical excerpts taken from both the set works studied throughout the course and unfamiliar pieces of music. The examination contains questions on aural skills, instrumental recognition, elements of music, musical contexts and musical language, and concludes with an essay question. This assessment comes at the end of the course.
The GCSE Music course is a well formulated and highly enjoyable course, which covers a wide variety of music and caters for musicians of all instruments and genres. It allows creative musicians a wealth of opportunities to develop and challenge their musicianship, build self-confidence and work as part of a team. The students will be given plenty of performance and composition practise and will be able to showcase their talents and skills regularly throughout the course, both in lessons and public performances.
Key Stage 5 Learning Objectives
The A-Level Music course offers a balanced approach to music which highlights all key disciplines within the subject: Performing, Composing and Appraising. There is no AS Level offered.
Summary of the A-Level Music Course
Component 1: Performing
A minimum of an 8 minute public recital performance on their chosen instrument/voice performed at least at Grade 7 standard. This is usually a solo recital, but can be an ensemble recital.
Recorded between March and May of the examination year. This is externally assessed and worth 30% of the course
Component 2: Composing
Complete two compositions with a minimum time
of 6 minutes to briefs set by the examination board. The first composition is a free choice or to a brief. The second composition is completion of two four part harmony exercises in the style of JS Bach.
There is flexibility in the choice of compositions offered. This is externally assessed and worth 30% of the course.
Component 3: Appraising
Assessment is through a final examination paper set and marked externally by the examination board.
The paper uses listening and written questions alongside excerpts of music. It assesses listening and aural skills, analysis and contextual understanding through listening questions, short answer and extended writing questions.
The content of examined material is based on both familiar and unfamiliar music studied throughout the duration of the course.
This is worth 40% of the course.
Music facilities
We have a suite of 6 practice rooms, a recording studio, a rehearsal / studio space, a computer suite and a keyboard teaching room. These are available to book and use during private study periods and free time within the school day. Our 15 strong team of excellent peripatetic instrumental teachers are available for lessons each week.
Performance opportunities
We run a rich and varied extra-curricular programme which is offered to all musicians at Sale Grammar School. All A-Level musicians are expected to participate in: Senior Choir, Production Band, String / Brass Group, Concert Band and Swing Band.
We hold termly recital evenings to showcase soloists and provide valuable performance experience. Annually we have a Young Musician competition, Battle of the Bands, Christmas Concerts, a Summer Concert and abroad concert tours.
We often participate in local community events including Music Festivals and concerts.
Entry requirements
You are expected to be at least Grade 5 standard on your instrument/voice at the start of the course.
If you have studied Music at GCSE we expect you to have achieved at least a Grade 7. It is helpful to have knowledge of Grade 5 music theory.