Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Alford, A Business & Enterprise College

Music

Introduction

The Music Department plays an important part in working toward the aims of the school. In accordance with the school’s stated aims Music Education strives to:

  1. develop the full potential of all students
  2. develop pride in achievements in an atmosphere which encourages respect for one another
  3. provide appropriate and varied challenges for all.

Above all, the Music Department aims to encourage creativity through a musical education which is broad and varied, encompassing music of many styles, periods and genres.

Facilities

The Music Department is housed in the Charles Read Music Suite which was built in 1993. This purpose-built accommodation consists of a main teaching room for whole class teaching, an ensemble room with Bechstein grand piano and four tutorial rooms for individual and small group work.

In all music lessons at Queen Elizabeth's pupils are encouraged to explore the expressiveness and spirituality of music through listening and appraising, composing and performing. It is the aim of the department to help every pupil to develop his or her musical ability by providing a broad range of activities. Work done in the classroom and in extra-curricular groups is drawn upon for school assemblies. Also, concerts and musical productions are performed to members of the public both at the school and at other venues in the community.

Curriculum

Key Stage 3

All pupils will be introduced to the skills and knowledge of music as outlined in the programmes of study in the National Curriculum for music. Teaching will ensure that areas of listening and applying knowledge and understanding are developed through the following skills:

During the key stage, pupils will be taught the knowledge, skills and understanding of music through:

  1. a range of musical activities that combine performing, composing and appraising
  2. responding to a range of musical and non-musical starting points
  3. working on their own, in groups of different sizes and as a class
  4. using ICT to create, manipulate and refine sounds
  5. a range of live and recorded music from different times and cultures including music from the British Isles, the 'Western classical' tradition, folk, jazz and popular genres, and by well-known composers and performers.

Key Stage 4

The course studied is the OCR GCSE Music. It is designed to offer candidates opportunities to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills in Performing, Composing, Listening and Appraising.

There is considerable flexibility in the course, allowing candidates to follow their own musical interests and aptitudes, including popular as well as classical styles.

The aims of the course are:

Course content

Performing

All candidates will be assessed on their performance on the instrument of their choice (including voice). They will be expected to develop their skills in playing or singing, showing technical control and good interpretation.

Composing

Candidates will produce a folio of compositions. Each of these will be based upon a brief provided by the teacher.

Listening and appraising

Candidates study a wide range of music, developing their understanding of musical history and technical aspects of music. It is expected that knowledge gained in this area will provide a stimulus for composing and performing.

A level

In Years 12 and 13 students are prepared for the Edexcel A level in music. As with GCSE, there is considerable potential for students to develop skills in their own preferred style of music, and there is the opportunity to explore new, exciting areas. The units of work are as follows:

The Advanced Subsidiary GCE

Unit 1: Performing (30% AS 15% A2)

In this unit candidates develop their skills as performers. They can perform on any instrument or they can sing. Assessment is as follows:

Unit 2: Developing Musical Ideas (30% AS, 15% A2)

In this unit students develop the craft of composing. This is done by developing musical ideas through the submission of one original composition (lasting three minutes in performance) and two exercises in compositional techniques. There is a wide range of musical styles to choose from, catering for the tastes and strengths of all students. Regular individual tutorials are given to aid candidates in this area.

Unit 3: Listening and Understanding (40% AS, 20% A2)

Throughout the course students are expected to develop and refine aural skills so that they can recognise different sounds and make judgments about performances. During the course two areas of study will be covered and set works will be studied in both of these. This unit is assessed through an examination at the end of the course.

Advanced GCE

For students who opt to continue their studies in music in Year 13 the requirements are as follows:

The full Advanced GCE qualification consists of the AS units plus three more studied at a higher level. These are:

Unit 4: Specialist Option (15% A2)

For this unit students choose between either completing a folio of compositions or performing a recital. If the composition option is chosen the candidate will produce two compositions. The performing option involves performing a recital lasting 20 minutes.

Unit 5: Performing and Composing (15% A2)

Here, students will be assessed continuously on a range of ensemble and solo performance activities during the course (as in the performing during the course section of Unit 1 in Year 12. They will also extend one area of compositional techniques carried over from the AS course by completing an exercise set by the examination board. This is completed under examination conditions.

Unit 6: Analysing Music (20% A2)

This unit tests all the knowledge, understanding and skills developed across the whole course. One of the topics studied in Unit 3 will be examined in greater depth, and a new one will also be undertaken. It is assessed through a listening test and by answering written questions on the music studied during the course.

Extra-curricular music

Instrumental lessons

Instrumental tuition is offered on stringed, woodwind and brass instruments to those pupils who show the required potential. Queen Elizabeth's is a major contributor of members of the Lincolnshire Youth Orchestras and Band.

Parents are required to make a contribution of £60 payable three times a year for lessons (in September, January and April), though in cases of financial hardship parents may apply to pay in smaller instalments or contribute a reduced amount.

Pupils are expected to join the school orchestra and brass, string or woodwind group when they reach the appropriate standard – this is a condition of receiving instrumental tuition in school. They are encouraged to take examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

Music groups and clubs

The school has its own orchestra and also separate string, woodwind and brass groups. There are, in addition, recorder and handbell clubs. Vocal music is strong at Queen Elizabeth's, there are junior, senior and chamber choirs.

The Music Department has an important public relations role. Concerts are given both in school and at various venues in the local community. It has a particularly good reputation for the quality of its Christmas Carol Concerts and productions of stage musicals and light opera.

Staffing

All music classes are taught by the Director of Music, Andrew Willoughby.

The school’s instrumental teachers are:

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