Broughton Hall Catholic High School - Curriculum / Music

Introduction

Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies

Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Music Music's significance in our lives and memories is undeniable. For many, it's an expressive outlet they can't be without. For some, it's a career choice that fulfils that most sought after of life aspirations: doing something one loves and being paid for it. Music's particular combination of emotion, discipline, knowledge and skill is special. Most people can't imagine their lives without music.

The Music department believes passionately that music belongs to all of us. We're committed to ensuring our young people have the opportunity to experience, explore and understand music through an enriching and challenging curriculum which empowers students as performers, creators and appreciators. Everything we do is motivated by helping your child be the best they can be.

Broughton Hall's KS3 Music curriculum is designed to nurture and celebrate each student's capacity for creativity, expression and mutual appreciation. We do this by exploring the wealth of musical heritage and opportunity in our home city, Liverpool, while understanding its place in and connections to the world stage. Our curriculum is underpinned by high expectations, expert teaching and the relentless pursuit of excellence shared by all good musicians. Through the key National Curriculum areas of performing, composing and listening, we focus on the fulfilment of each individual's musical potential. Carefully scaffolded, sequenced and varied activities build practical musical skills while extending, deepening and applying academic and contextual knowledge.

We encourage and empower students as performers, creators and appreciative audience members, building awareness of their own impact and the important contribution each individual makes to the whole. Through studying Music at Broughton Hall, confidence, awareness and proficiency builds. Our consideration of our locality's musical heritage makes us more mindful of our place in society and appreciative of the rich, multicultural society in which we live. The skills, attributes and knowledge we gain prepare us for lives which are, we hope, rich and rewarding, enabling us to contribute to our communities, elevate ourselves and others and take advantage of the many opportunities music presents us.

Our Aims:

  • Inspire our students through the provision of engaging and challenging musical experiences.
  • Equip students with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to perform, create and appreciate music.
  • Enrich students' lives through the power of music, raising their awareness of cultural contexts and maximising access for them personally and professionally, in the present and beyond.

Extra-curriculum

We are proud of the quality of our extra curricular provision, including our Music Tuition service, choirs and instrumental ensembles. Our students perform at numerous school and community events throughout the year, including concerts, competitions, services, community events and special occasions.

Staff

Ms S. Hayes - Head of Department, Choir Leader
Ms A. Pearson - Teacher of Music, Band Leader
Mr H. Tonks - Guitar Tutor
Miss J. Hynes - Vocal & Theory Tutor
Miss C. Jones - Piano Tutor
Mr C. Jones - Woodwind, Band Tutor
Mr R. McGrath - Drum Kit Tutor

Programme of Study KS3



Our Key Stage 3 curriculum is a platform for lifelong musical learning and engagement. At its heart is the knowledge and skill development necessary to engage with music in all its forms. Liverpool's position as a UNESCO World City of Music acts as the gateway, exploring our city's rich musical heritage and its international context, while developing sophistication in the following key aspects:

  • dimensions of music (pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure, harmony, notations).
  • listening with understanding and discrimination, informed by knowledge and appreciation of varying musical contexts.
  • practical expression in music, informed by contextual appreciation:
  • performing (with a focus on keyboard and vocal skills)
  • creating with expression, utilising the knowledge and skills gained from the wider music curriculum.

Programme of Study KS4

Year 10: Level 2 Certificate in Performance for Music Practitioners

Music Music's significance in our lives and memories is undeniable. This course is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about something you love.

For many, music is an expressive outlet they can't be without. For some, it's a career choice that fulfils that most sought after of life aspirations: doing something one loves and being paid for it. Music's particular combination of emotion, discipline, knowledge and skill is special. Most people can't imagine their lives without music.

Liverpool's position as a UNESCO City of Music means there's a wealth of musical opportunities for you, personally and professionally. This course is a great option if you love the idea of performing and learning more about music, whether for yourself as a hobby or because you aspire to work in that industry.

How is the course structured & assessed?

This course is continuously assessed, allowing students to work throughout years 10 and 11 to achieve their grade. There is no final written exam. Instead, there all students perform live to an audience at the end of Year 11.

Unit 1: MUSPRA201ta Musical Knowledge (Internally Assessed)

1.1 Style Report:
Choose two modern styles of music (e.g. pop and jazz, soul and country, rock and rap). Research and report on:

A. Factors that influenced its inception
B. Significant artists/ bands/ producers
C. Important recordings/ performances/ events
D. Imagery and fashion associated with style

2.1: Track Review
For a modern song of your choice, write or present on its use of the following:

a. Tonality
b. Tempo
c. Instrumentation
d. Lyrical content (if your chosen track has lyrics)
e. Productive techniques

This unit is marked by your teachers and checked by the exam board.

Unit 2: MUSPRA204ta Instrumental Study (Internally Assessed)
Learn all about using your instrument/voice safely and well: how to look after it, improve it and achieve your goals as a performer. Keep a written, audio or video record of your progress and review it as you go along, setting targets to keep getting better. This unit is marked by your teachers and checked by the exam board.

Unit 3: MUSPRA202ta Live Music Performance (Externally Assessed)
This is where you get to show your musical skills to a live audience. You will work with other students to plan, rehearse and perform a music show. You'll use written, audio or video footage to record your plans and progress and evaluate how well it went at the end. This unit is an excellent experience of the real world of work: you will be able to demonstrate your leadership, team and creative qualities, as well as your musicianship. This unit is sent to the exam board to mark.

While extra curricular music, including instrumental or singing tuition, is a compulsory aspect of KS4 Music, prior experience is not essential: many of our students achieve high grades even after starting these in year 10. For anyone concerned about the costs of tuition, free singing or instrument lessons are available to all Music Elective students who need it.

KS4 Homework: Throughout the year students should rehearse their chosen instrument/voice at least 20 minutes a day, 4 times a week. Prior to the Year 11 Performance, they should be prepared to spend extra time in school rehearsing as a group. They should also expect to research, revise and report on musical theory and analysis.

What can these qualifications lead to?
Musicians are often rounded, versatile individuals with a wide skill-set. This equips them well for further study and a range of careers, either in performing arts or beyond. Many top-achieving professionals have musical backgrounds. Our KS4 Music students have gone on to succeed in a variety of professional and skilled careers.

Musical Development
KS4 Music prepares students for:
  • AS and A Level in Music/Music Technology
  • BTEC Level 3 in Music / Music Technology
  • Level 3 Diplomas, e.g. in Music Performance, Music Technology

These courses provide excellent foundations for careers in music: performer, composer, arranger, producer, music journalist, manager, sound engineer...

Transferable Skills: Endless Possibilities
All of the above music qualifications are accepted by universities for a range of courses and subjects.

Studying Music, you will gain skills relevant to all career paths: listening, analysis, presentation, communication, creativity, co-ordination, project management, collaborative working, analysis, emotional intelligence...


Year 11: Level 2 Certificate in Performance for Music Practitioners

Music's significance in our lives and memories is undeniable. This course is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about something you love.

For many, music is an expressive outlet they can't be without. For some, it's a career choice that fulfils that most sought after of life aspirations: doing something one loves and being paid for it. Music's particular combination of emotion, discipline, knowledge and skill is special. Most people can't imagine their lives without music.

Liverpool's position as a UNESCO City of Music means there's a wealth of musical opportunities for you, personally and professionally. This course is a great option if you love the idea of performing and learning more about music, whether for yourself as a hobby or because you aspire to work in that industry.

How is the course structured & assessed?

This course is continuously assessed, allowing students to work throughout years 10 and 11 to achieve their grade. There is no final written exam. Instead, there all students perform live to an audience at the end of Year 11.

Unit 1: MUSPRA201ta Musical Knowledge (Internally Assessed)

1.1 Style Report:
Choose two modern styles of music (e.g. pop and jazz, soul and country, rock and rap). Research and report on:

A. Factors that influenced its inception
B. Significant artists/ bands/ producers
C. Important recordings/ performances/ events
D. Imagery and fashion associated with style

2.1: Track Review
For a modern song of your choice, write or present on its use of the following:

a. Tonality
b. Tempo
c. Instrumentation
d. Lyrical content (if your chosen track has lyrics)
e. Productive techniques

This unit is marked by your teachers and checked by the exam board.

Unit 2: MUSPRA204ta Instrumental Study (Internally Assessed)
Learn all about using your instrument/voice safely and well: how to look after it, improve it and achieve your goals as a performer. Keep a written, audio or video record of your progress and review it as you go along, setting targets to keep getting better. This unit is marked by your teachers and checked by the exam board.

Unit 3: MUSPRA202ta Live Music Performance (Externally Assessed)
This is where you get to show your musical skills to a live audience. You will work with other students to plan, rehearse and perform a music show. You'll use written, audio or video footage to record your plans and progress and evaluate how well it went at the end. This unit is an excellent experience of the real world of work: you will be able to demonstrate your leadership, team and creative qualities, as well as your musicianship. This unit is sent to the exam board to mark.

While extra curricular music, including instrumental or singing tuition, is a compulsory aspect of KS4 Music, prior experience is not essential: many of our students achieve high grades even after starting these in year 10. For anyone concerned about the costs of tuition, free singing or instrument lessons are available to all Music Elective students who need it.

KS4 Homework: Throughout the year students should rehearse their chosen instrument/voice at least 20 minutes a day, 4 times a week. Prior to the Year 11 Performance, they should be prepared to spend extra time in school rehearsing as a group. They should also expect to research, revise and report on musical theory and analysis.

What can these qualifications lead to?
Musicians are often rounded, versatile individuals with a wide skill-set. This equips them well for further study and a range of careers, either in performing arts or beyond. Many top-achieving professionals have musical backgrounds. Our KS4 Music students have gone on to succeed in a variety of professional and skilled careers.

Musical Development
KS4 Music prepares students for:
  • AS and A Level in Music/Music Technology
  • BTEC Level 3 in Music / Music Technology
  • Level 3 Diplomas, e.g. in Music Performance, Music Technology

These courses provide excellent foundations for careers in music: performer, composer, arranger, producer, music journalist, manager, sound engineer...

Transferable Skills: Endless Possibilities
All of the above music qualifications are accepted by universities for a range of courses and subjects.

Studying Music, you will gain skills relevant to all career paths: listening, analysis, presentation, communication, creativity, co-ordination, project management, collaborative working, analysis, emotional intelligence...