Music

 Music as an academic subject is taught throughout the school by three full-time staff:

Mr Tighe Director of Music	Mrs Oldfield	Mr Levy

See below for more information about the courses followed:

Music in Years 7-9

All pupils in Years 7-9 have a weekly Music lesson as part of their core timetable.  The fundamentals of Music Theory are covered by all pupils, with the opportunity for pupils to take Associated Board Theory grades at the end of Year 8 or in Year 9.  Pupils are also taught about the development of Music History and genres from the Renaissance to the present day.  Through a range of listening, composition, analysis and practical tasks, pupils are introduced to key works in the repertoire and different twentieth century styles of Music. Particular emphasis is placed on singing in Year 7 and instrumental music-making in Year 8, and regular class performances are incorporated into the Scheme of Work.

All pupils in Year 7 perform in a College Concert during the course of the year, and curriculum trips to hear professional concerts in a London venue are organised for all pupils in Years 7 and 8.

Pupils in these years are given opportunities to compose, using the keyboards available in the Department and/or their own instruments. There are also opportunities for pupils to work with Music IT software and to make use of the Department's suite of computers equipped with score writing and sequencing software.

Although all pupils cover the same syllabus, Lower School classes are divided into two smaller groups according to pupils' musical abilities and experiences to ensure that the individual needs of each boy are best met in the classroom.
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Music at GCSE

Pupils who opt for GCSE Music follow the Edexcel exam specification, which comprises three main elements: Performance (30% of the overall GCSE mark), Composition (30%) and History/Listening (40%). Pupils who choose GCSE Music will already be learning at least one instrument, and must continue with the study of this instrument for the duration of the course to enable them to complete the Solo and Ensemble Performances required by the exam board towards the end of the Spring Term of Year 11. For the History/Listening Written Paper, pupils will learn about the Development of Western Classical Music from 1600 - the present day, the features associated with Popular Twentieth Century Music and the characteristics of some non-Western World Music, including traditional Indian and African music.  Pupils will learn to compose music in the style of all of these main topic areas, and will submit two compositions to the exam board towards the end of the course.
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Music at AS Level

Pupils follow the OCR specification.  The AS level may be studied independently, or if pupils wish, it may lead onto further study at A2 level.  Pupils who choose Music do so either as a foundation for further Musical Study at University or Music Conservatoire, or as a complementary subject to other Sixth Form subjects. The AS/A2 Music course is also invaluable for those who wish to take an Instrumental Music Diploma.

It is anticipated that all pupils who opt to study AS Level Music will have successfully taken Music GCSE, although gifted performers and composers, after consultation with the Director of Music, could possibly be accepted without GCSE Music.

AS Music enables pupils to study the development of Western Musical traditions within the context of wider European cultural heritage. As at GCSE, the course comprises three main elements: Performance, Composition and History/Listening.

Performance  (40% of total AS marks; 20% of total A2 marks)

All pupils prepare an 8 minute recital programme on their principle instrument, with a further performance on a second instrument or in an ensemble.  The recitals will be assessed by a visiting external examiner towards the end of the Spring Term of the Lower Sixth, or beginning of the Summer Term.

Composition  (30% of total AS marks; 15% of total A2 marks)

Pupils learn about the fundamentals of Western tonal harmony and complete a series of assessed exercises during the course of the year. Pupils also complete one four minute composition or arrangement for between four and ten instruments. Both the harmony exercises and the composition are assessed internally and moderated by external examiners.

History/Listening  (30% of total AS marks; 15% of total A2 marks)

Pupils learn about the main timbre and textural features of music as well as the role of keys, chords and cadences and develop their melodic and rhythmic dictation skills.  Six set works are also studied (three from the 19^th Century Western Orchestra Tradition and three from Jazz), and pupils learn to identify core musical features in all of the works and to place them in their historical and cultural context. This component is assessed by an externally marked written paper.+
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Music at A2 Level

Pupils continue to develop the three core areas of their musicianship assessed at AS Level.

Performance  (20% of the A2 marks)

Pupils prepare one 15 minute recital, either as a soloist or as part of an ensemble, which will be assessed by a visiting external examiner at the end of the Spring Term or beginning of the Summer Term. Each recital programme must demonstrate the range of the pupil's instrumental proficiency, and the choice of pieces must investigate a common genre or style. The performance will be followed by a Viva Voce discussion with the examiner, during which pupils will be asked to justify their interpretative decisions and to demonstrate their understanding of the genre and composers performed.

Composition  (15% of the A2 marks)

The Language of Western Tonal Harmony is considered through the study of J.S. Bach's Chorale Harmonisations.  Pupils complete a portfolio of eight harmony exercises during the year and also compose one four-minute composition according to a specific brief.  Both components of the Composition Paper are internally marked and externally moderated.

History/Listening  (15% of the A2 marks)

Pupils are prepared for one unseen Aural question taken from Vocal composition written between 1900 and 1940. Pupils also study three set works (currently from the topic 'Music and Belief'), considering especially the tonality and interpretation of the music. Pupils are assessed in a Written Paper in the Summer Term.
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