Music Department staff

Mr Simon Conway	Subject Leader and Music teacher
Miss Rachael McDonagh	Teacher of Music
Mr David Pogson	Music GTP

We also have a team of 9 visiting instrumental teachers who give lessons in Woodwind, Brass, String and Percussion instruments. We also have a Guitar teacher. This is all organised through the County Music Service. We teach in a purpose built block which has two specialist teaching rooms, 6 Practice rooms and a recording studio. One classroom is equipped with keyboards, the other is used for acoustic work – pitched and unpitched percussion and ethnic instruments. We have three computers on which we use Sibelius (a Score writing programme) and Cubase. We share a Studio with the Drama department and often rehearse in this space. Until recently we didn’t have our own performance space. Read on and you’ll discover how we have got over this! We now have the opportunity of putting on concerts in the New School Hall but still look forward to sharing our music with the wider community - both home and abroad.

Teaching and Learning  

KS3

At KS3 all students receive two lessons per fortnight and are taught in mixed ability groups. Group sizes vary but are usually within the 24 – 26 range.

Through a mixture of Performing, Composing and Listening and Appraising we cover a range of topics. Amongst other things students will study

• Rhythm, pulse and metre.

• Calypso and Reggae

• Graphic Scores

• Chords and Harmony

• Song Writing

• Music and Media

• The Blues

• Music of West Africa - Djembe playing

• Music from Indonesia

  
   

Music is a very practical subject and students can expect to learn about these topics in a very ‘hand-on’ way.

KS4

At KS4 Music is an optional subject. We have always had healthy groups and our results are exceptionally good. In Years 10 and 11 students receive 5 lessons per fortnight. We look at four Areas of Study which cover

• Theme and Variations, Ternary and Rondo Form and Ground Bass.

• Electronic Music, Experimental Music, Serialism and Minimalism.

• Britpop, Songs from Musicals and Club Dance Remix

• Indian Music, Music from Africa, and Fusion.

The Examination is made up of Performing – a Solo and Ensemble – 30% of the marks. Composing – two pieces from different Areas of Study – 30% of the marks. Listening paper – taken in the May of Year 11 – 40% of the marks.