Students studying music will learn about many different styles and genres. These are studied through 3 main strands:
At Moulton we have very good Music facilities including a classroom which has suite of Apple Macs and sets of guitars, ukuleles, hand percussion and African drums.
In years 7 and 8 students receive 2 lessons per fortnight. Each topic lasts about a half term and students are assessed through one of the strands above at the end of it.
The topics students learn about in year 7 are:
The topics students learn about in year 8 are:
Parental advice - Students are encouraged to attend extra curricular clubs as well as any concerts or live performances. At home, students can be encouraged to listen to a diverse range of music and talk about aspects of the music they find interesting.
In years 9 and 10 students receive 5 lessons per fortnight.
The topics students learn about in year 9 are:
The topics students learn about in year 10 are:
The topics students learn about in year 11 (from 2017-18 onwards) are:
Parental advice - The specification we study is AQA GCSE Music (8271) which can be found here:
http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/music/specifications/AQA-8271-SP-2016.PDF
Students who are involved in extracurricular music activities and who practice regularly at home will have better options and opportunities to perform at a higher level and achieve well in their GCSE. Similarly, listening to a range of recorded and live music will help improve students’ critical understanding and appraisal of music which will help with Unit 1 - Understanding Music.
In Years 10 - 11 we offer the Edexcel 2 year GCSE music course as an option. The syllabus is based around the four study areas:
* Classical Music 1600-1899
* 20th Century Music
* Popular Song
* Music from Around the World
The assessment for GCSE consists of both coursework and examination as follows:
PERFORMING
Solo Performance - coursework assessment (15%)
Ensemble Performance - coursework assessment (15%)
or
Performing using music technology, sequencers or microphones (30%)
COMPOSITION
Composition 1 (chosen from a study areas) - coursework assessment (15%)
Composition 2 (chosen from a different study areas) - coursework assessment (15%)
LISTENING & APPRAISING
Listening paper 1.5 hours - (questions on all four areas of study) - examination (40%)
Extra curricular Music is an important part of the Department's work, especially to support and enhance the efforts of those learning an instrument. We encourage students to extend their musical education by joining the choirs, windband, orchestra, jazz band and various other instrumental groups that take place during lunchtimes including rock groups. There are opportunities throughout the year to perform both within and outside of school.
Nearly 120 students currently receive instrumental and vocal lessons at the school, with our specialist visiting teachers. Opportunities exist for saxophone, all woodwind, all brass and all string instruments, Electric, Bass and Acoustic guitar and singing.