Richmond School
School Departments | Music
KS3
Year 7
Rhythm and Pitch
These are the basic elements of music. Learn to read music and start playing the keyboard.
Activities include composing and performing your own pieces of music including melodies using the pentatonic (5 note) Scale and Rhythm pieces inspired by the London Underground Map!
You will also begin to compose easy songs.
Music That Tells a Story
You will listen to Music such as Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition,” Saint - Saens “Carnival of the Animals” and Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” and then compose your own music based on these ideas.
Orchestra
You will also learn about the Orchestra with Tubby the Tuba and friends!
Year 8
Keyboards
Develop your keyboard skills in our classrooms which are equipped with computers / keyboards and a state of the art Electronic Drum kit.
Medieval Music
How did composers create music before 1400? Find out as we perform “Song of the Ass” and use it as a basis for composition.
Sandwiches
Sorry, not a field trip to “Tasty Mac’s” but a project to understand what we mean by Classical and Pop music. Find out the difference and compose in the style of the late eighteenth century.
The Voice
Most of us have one….but how do we use it? What’s the difference between an opera and a musical? How do composers write for the voice?
Ethnic Music
Study Music from Indonesia, India, Africa and the Caribbean. Explore how different cultures make music.
Year 9
Variations
“I’ll see you when you get there,” sings Coolio. But did you know that the bass part to his song was composed in 1650? Listen to, compose and perform your own music by changing a basic idea.
The Blues
Probably the most influential style in pop music. Trace it’s development from the Slaves in America up to the pop music of today. Compose in a Blues style.
Song
Similar to Blues but this time learn how to set words to music.
Ejay / Fruity Loops
Fancy being on Radio One. Use one of our new computers and the latest programmes to compose your own dance music.
KS4
Music
The study of music at GCSE is open to all students regardless of their musical experience or expertise. The course has three elements.
1. Composition
Students will develop compositional techniques. A folio of two compositions will be submitted at the end of the Spring Term in Year 11. Each composition will be taken from a different Area of Study with guidance from the teacher.
2. Performance
Students will perform two pieces. The choice of pieces will be chosen in conjunction with their instrumental teacher.
3. Listening
The only formal exam. Students will answer questions related to the twelve Areas of Study.
Students will study the following twelve Areas of Study:
1. Ternary Form, Rondo Form, Variations
2. Minimalism, Electronic Music, Expressionism
3. Britpop, Dance Music, Songs from the Musicals
4. Indian Raga, African music, Fusion of Cultures
Many of these Areas have already been studied in Years 8 and 9 and will be further developed at GCSE level.
Even if you have not started to learn to play a musical instrument it isn’t too late to start. We will pay for you to have tuition for one instrument/voice within school. You choose the instrument, we pay for the lesson.
Class lessons are organised as one composing/performing and one listening each week.
Music Technology
NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Music technology is a Double Award qualification. It is graded as Pass or Fail course, with a Pass being equivalent to two B’s at GCSE level (92 points).
Students will spend 30 hours on each of the following areas:
1. Understanding the applications of music technology
2. Use MIDI sequencing
3. Use recording techniques
4. Prepare for employment in the music technology industry
5. Use multi-track recording
Students will learn how computers are used in the music industry to generate and record sound. They will use computer sequencing programs such as Cubase to arrange and edit music.
Students will develop a knowledge of microphones and a variety of ways to record instruments. They will produce a multi-track recording of a band or group. Students will learn how to mix tracks to produce a final CD Master of their recording.
Students will also learn Health and Safety aspects of a studio environment. They will research job opportunities, look at contracts and good business practices within the Music Industry.
Students will regularly use Fostex multi-track recorders, a variety of recording equipment and commercially available sequencing programs on computers.
All work is teacher assessed so there is no formal exam.
This is an ideal opportunity for those students who enjoy music and would like to learn more about the technology of music in a practical way. The course is ideal for those looking to go into the music industry or continuing Music Technology at A level.
KS5
Music
The study of Music is for any student thinking of going on to Music College, studying music at University or considering music teaching. For other students, the course is as demanding as any other A level. Music provides access to a wide range of careers and other Higher Education courses. Students who are competent performers on any instrument or voice will have opportunities to increase their skills and interests. There will be opportunities to gain greater insights into music through composing and studying specified works.
Unit 1: Performing
You will perform two or three solo pieces of your choice lasting between 5-6 minutes. You will also be expected to perform one of your own compositions.
Unit 2: Developing Musical Ideas
You will develop musical ideas in the form of original compositions and exercises. There is a wide range of musical styles to choose from for your composition including Variations and Popular Song. The exercises will follow Bachs chorale writing, counterpoint and Serialism.
Unit 3: Listening and Understanding
The listening exam will focus on music from a range of styles. Two further areas of study, “Popular Music and Jazz” and “Music for Large Ensemble” will relate to two structured exam questions.
Unit 4: Specialist Option
You will perform a recital lasting 20 minutes to an audience. The choice of music is entirely free and the recital will be recorded.
Unit 5: Performing and Composing
You will keep a log of your performances including solos and ensembles. Four performances will be submitted. Compositional techniques acquired in Unit 2 will be extended and assessed through a commissioned composition.
Unit 6: Analysing Music
The exam tests all knowledge and understanding developed across the whole course. You will extend just one of the Areas of Study from AS.
Music Technology
This course allows students to gain an in depth understanding of music by studying the ways in which the impact of technology has influenced the development of music. The course requires a high level of knowledge and understanding of the recording industry and the techniques used to record all types of music using the latest software i.e. Sibelius 4 and Cubase SL. This course offers a different approach to music and will lead to related courses at Universities and work in the Music Industry.
Unit 1.1: Practical Work
Sequencing or Recording. Although you will study both sequencing and recording skills, you will specialise in only one. Sequencing will develop your skills to interpret and realise two contrasting pieces through the computer software. Recording will focus on two performances using close mic and ambient/ stereo recording techniques.
Unit 1.2: Arranging and Improvising
This will focus on the area not specialised at in Unit 1.1. This unit will be based on “Popular Music and Jazz”.
Unit 1.3: Listening and Analysing
A two-hour listening exam will focus on questions related to “The Development of Music Technology”. You will need to recognise musical features and the impact of music technology as well as answer questions on the broader cultural and social context.
Unit 2.1: Sequencing, recording and producing
A sequenced backing track of a 6-part piece then form the basis of multitrack with vocal and instrumental additions. A further own choice of a 3-4 minute multitrack recording using close mic techniques will be submitted.
Unit 2.2: Composing using technology
Two compositions must last 5-6 minutes. One is a free choice whilst the second is in response to a brief on “Music for the Moving Image”.
Unit 2.3: Listening and Analysing
The first part of the exam will demonstrate aural and sequencing skills by controlling MIDI data. The second part will relate to the film music studied in “Music for the Moving Image”.
Contact Information
Mrs S McCormack - SMcCormack@richmondschool.net or (01748) 828133
Mr J Davenport - (01748) 828133
Mr E Williams - (01748) 828133
Mr C Ratcliffe - CRatcliffe@richmondschool.net