Stewards Music at Key Stage 3

The National Curriculum for Music is delivered over the three year course. Each project focuses onthe successful completion of key National Curriculum targets. Students develop the key skills of performing, composing and listening. Students work on a range of practical activities and eveluate their progress at the end of each unit.

Year 7: Exploring Musical Elements

The Year 7 curriculum builds on KS2 experience and focuses on developing key musical skills. We look at strategies for working productively with others and explore voices and instruments.

• Teamwork
• Rhythm & Pulse
• Stave Notation
• Instruments and Sounds
• Music for Special Occasions
• Musical Time Travel

Year 8: Beyond the Basics

The Year 8 curriculum takes students a stage further by encouraging them to learn more advanced techniques to use in a wide range of musical activities. We look at strategies for the development of composition ideas and encourage a higher level of group organisation and task management.

• Theme & Variations
• Jazz & Blues
• Folk Song Arrangements
• Pentatonic Music
• Music for Dance
• Programme Music

Year 9: Music in the Wider World

The Year 9 curriculum looks at music in a wider context and expects students to draw on the wealth of musical skills that they have built up over Key Stage 3. Students also look ahead to the possibilities of GCSE Music.

• Music & Media
• Seasonal Songwriting
• World Music
• Musicals
• Music Industry
• Special Project

Stewards Music at Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4 we offer the Edexcel GCSE Music. The syllabus is split into three main areas:

Paper 1: Performing Coursework - 30%

• Solo Performance and Ensemble (group) Performance.
• Pieces are recorded and marked by the teacher, work is sent off for moderation. Any instrument or voice and any style of music is acceptable.

Paper 2: Composing Coursework - 30%

Compose two pieces lasting at least three minutes in total.

• Both pieces are composed according to a brief, which may be chosen by you or your teacher. The brief must be linked to a topic taken from an Area of Study.
• Compositions are recorded and marked by the teacher. Work is then sent off for moderation.

Paper 3: Listening and Appraising Exam - 40%

• 1hr 30m exam based on CD of music.
• Respond to questions based on extracts of music featuring styles from across all four Areas of Study.
• Exam papers are marked externally by Edexcel examiners.

Extra Curricular Programme

Additional opportunities for performance are an important part of the musical life of Stewards. Performances include the Christmas Concert, the School Production and the Summer Concert. We also provide live music at a variety of whole school events. Regular extra-curricular groups include Lower School Singing Club, Cello Club and Upper School Singers.