Ms Jones' Music Room!
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As a classroom music teacher, I teach all students in the middle school years. Our school curriculum is based on the UK model of education (the National Curriculum) therefore we teach general music to Key Stage 3, GCSE music to Key Stage 4 and either A Level or AP music to Key Stage 5. More information can be found about the UK National Curriculum by clicking on the above terms. Music is compulsory for all students until year 10 (grade 9). In my current post I teach all of Key Stage 3 (approx 240 students), GCSE music (approx 10-20 students), AP Music (approx 4-10 students) and music theory open to all students within the instrumental programme. In addition I am responsible for the development of curriculum across the whole school (Foundation Year (Pre-K) to Year 13 (Grade 12)). Key Stage 3 receive one lesson per week (55 minutes), Key Stage 4 receive 5 lessons per two week cycle and Key Stage 5 receive 7 lessons per two week cycle. Examples from a number of projects can be found in the student work gallery and on the Saltus Stage YouTube Channel.
In addition to this I take an advisory group for pastoral mentoring- a group photo of us can be found on the left! I meet this group every morning for 10 mins and teach them once a week about topics including guidance, current affairs and various life/citizenship skills. My music classroom is well resourced for music technology featuring 14 iMac computers installed with industry standard software: Sibelius 8, Garageband, Cubase 8, Logic Pro and Pro Tools. To find out more about music software please click here. In addition the teacher area features a fully automated digital mixing desk connecting to each student computer and a server model Mac Mini for audio and video editing. Electronic drum kits, microphones, guitars and ukuleles are also available for student use. |
Curriculum
Key Stage 3
Throughout Key Stage 3 (middle school), students are taught music appreciation and understanding throughout the 3 areas of performance, composition and listening / appraising, with students developing their knowledge through a spiral curriculum, an overview of which can be found below. Throughout each strand students are taught using an integrated approach introducing students to the use and role of music technology.
Year 7 (Grade 6)Rhythm and Pulse- An overview to rhythm notation and rhythm performance culminating in a rhythm composition using the software Sibelius.
Keyboards and Melody- Introduction to keyboard performance and melodic notation culminating in various simple melodic performances. Chords- Introduction to the formation of triads and simple chord progressions Blues- Overview to the music of the Blues including the 12 Bar Blues, walking bass and improvisation culminating in the creation of a Blues composition using the software Cubase. Ragtime- Final project of the year bringing together all elements studied over the year culminating in a performance of The Entertainer on keyboard and a Ragtime composition building on students' understanding of melody and chords. |
Year 8 (Grade 7)4 Chord Song- Students are introduced to the "4 chord trick" found throughout western classical and popular music. Students explore its roots and importance in modern music, and work through a carousel of activities exploring the progression through various instruments. The project culminates with students specialising in one area and producing a live performance of a 4 chord song before creating their piece into a multi-track recording, briefly experimenting with sound editing.
Form and Structure- Introduction to the terminology used to explore form and structure culminating in a formal composition developing the concepts of chords, melody and structure. Carmen- Introduction to the often misunderstood area of Opera. Students explore common misconceptions of Opera focusing on the plot of Carmen. The unit culminates with a composition based on motifs created from the themes found in Carmen. Examples of this project can be found here. |
Year 9 (Grade 8)Lead Sheet Project- Building on the 4 chord song project, students use the skills developed over the past two years to recreate a song of their choosing through an analysis of its chord progression and lyrics. Students are assessed through a live ensemble performance and a multi-track recording. Examples of this project can be found here.
Ground Bass- Students build upon their knowledge of the 4 chord trick tracing its roots to Pachebel's Canon and Ground Bass. Students are assessed through an arrangement of their own choosing. Stravinsky- Students are introduced for the first time to the work of Stravinsky and the importance of The Rite of Spring, students culminate in an assessment of a composition based upon the work of Stravinsky. Parody- As the final project for key stage 3 students create a parody of a song of their choice producing a live performance, formal recording and music video. Examples of this project can be found here. |
Key Stage 4
Performance 30%
Throughout GCSE music, students take weekly lessons on their chosen instrument and prepare a performance each term. In Year 11 students record two final performances: a solo (15%), and an ensemble (15%). An example of a solo performance can be found here. |
Composition 30%
Students submit two compositions, which are equally weighted (15% each). One composition must meet a brief set by the examining board and the other is a free composition. Students may write in any musical style as appropriate. |
Listening Exam 40%
This consists of practical and theory based lessons exploring exciting genres of music and broadening students’ musical experience and knowledge. The listening exam is taken at the end of Year 11. |
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