Music

Key Stage 3

In Years 7 – 9 boys follow a broad curriculum based on the study of instruments and the development of musical styles. The course aims to provide opportunities for pupils to gain experience in the three skill areas of listening, composing and performing. Throughout this course pupils are expected to acquire a knowledge of basic musical terms, aural familiarity with standard orchestral instruments and significant period styles, practical experience of basic composing principles and a working grasp of standard western staff notation of music.

GCSE

All pupils follow the AQA 3271 linear Music specification. The most helpful textbook for this course is A Student's Guide to GCSE Music (for the AQA specification). GCSE coursework in Music requires all pupils to record performances (solo and in ensemble) and to produce a single composition (recorded and notated). Coursework accounts for 50% of the GCSE award in Music. In Year 11 the awarding body issues an Integrated Assignment brief, for which pupils have to compose music and supervise a performance and recording (25% of the GCSE award). At the end of Year 11 pupils sit the final part of the course: a listening and appraising test based on a series of recorded music extracts provided by the examining board (25% of the GCSE award).

AS and A2

All pupils follow the OCR 3872/7872 Music specification, and they are expected to achieve a performing standard of approximately Grade V by the start of the GCE course. A-level Music is taught in mixed groups with girls from Loughborough High School.

At AS, pupils perform a recital for a visiting Examiner at the end of the Spring Term and they compile a folio of composing exercises completed as coursework over the Autumn and Spring terms. In the Summer Term there is an external listening examination based on recorded extracts of both unprepared and prescribed material. The textbook used is A Student's Guide to AS Music (for the OCR specification).

At A2, pupils are expected to have performing ability at a high level (ideally Grade VI or above) in their main instrument, and they perform an extended recital for a visiting Examiner at the end of the Spring Term. They also produce an investigative essay focussed on one piece from the recital and compile a folio of exercises in stylistic imitation as well as the setting of a passage of text prescribed by the examining board and produced as coursework over the Autumn and Spring Terms. In the Summer Term there is a traditional essay-based paper that examines pupils' knowledge of a prescribed period of music history and asks questions on a unprepared extract of music. The textbooks used are A Student's Guide to A2 Music (for the OCR specification), Romantic Music, and Music: A Very Short Introduction.

Pupils who wish to take Music to GCSE or Advanced Level will find it extremely useful to have their own version of music software (ideally a version of the Sibelius or Finale program) in order to be able to work on composing assignments at home.

Extra-curricular

There are many varied instrumental and vocal groups within the school, and most are shared with girls from Loughborough High School. In addition, individual instrumental lessons are available to pupils on most orchestral instruments (including percussion and harp), keyboards (including organ) and electric and classical guitar. A high proportion of the school community is involved in some aspect of music making within the school. The annual House Music Competition provides boys with opportunities for musical leadership in rehearsing and directing performances at both solo and ensemble levels.