Music

Members of Department:

Mr Keil - Head of of Department

Mr Perry - Deputy Head of Department

Mr Crockford - Classroom Teacher

Mr Robinson - Music, Art and Drama Coordinator

Peripatetic Music Teachers:

Mr Bennett - Trombone

Mr Bescoby - Oboe and Bassoon

Ms Cherrett - Vocals

Mr Henry - Piano and Woodwind

Mr McDouall - Drums

Mr Stanbridge - Guitar and Bass

Mr Warner - Trumpet

The Morpeth Music Department has a rich history of going beyond the classroom curriculum and providing opportunities that broaden a child’s horizons and contribute to their cultural capital. In the current climate of funding cuts, and music no longer prominent in school curricula across the country, it is more important than ever that young people have access to excellent music education at Morpeth School.

As a department, we pride ourselves on the constant evolution of our curriculum, consistently raising standards through a culture of collaboration, reflection and sharing. Never has the spirit of teamwork been more important than in the light of the challenges we have set ourselves in the years ahead.

Our current area of focus is going beyond giving a young person just access to a music education, but ensuring their success at the highest academic level, if that is a path they choose to pursue. Theoretically, a child should be able to walk through the doors of Morpeth School in September of Year 7 having never played an instrument, and be able to leave with top grades in GCSE/A-Level having completed graded exams that allow them to continue their studies at University and beyond.

To achieve this, we have established a new core entitlement that guarantees the experiences that every Morpeth student will benefit from:

• Every child will learn a musical instrument
• Every child will have the opportunity to benefit from free peripatetic instrumental tuition

• Every child will participate in a musical performance
• Every child will get to experience a live musical performance from professional musicians • Every child will get to benefit from Music Technology inside and outside the classroom
• Every child will get to complete graded music exams when they are ready to do so

Economic factors cannot have any bearing on a child’s ability to succeed. Therefore, Morpeth School and the Music Department have made a commitment that every aspect of a child’s core music education will be free-of-charge. This goes from access to peripatetic tuition and learning materials to the loan of an instrument and entry into graded music exams.

Music is a unique form of communication that can change the way pupils feel, think and act.

Music forms part of an individual’s identity. Positive interaction with music can develop pupils’ competence as learners and increase their self-esteem.

Music combines intellect and feeling and enables personal expression, reflection and emotional development.

As an integral part of culture, past and present, music helps pupils understand themselves, relate to others and develop their cultural understanding, forging important links between home, school and wider world.

Find out more:

For more about Music at Morpeth, visit the department website

Find out more about Music Clubs

Curriculum:

KEY STAGE 3

All Year 7 and Year 8 students will learn an instrument in their curriculum music lessons. Pupils will build on any previous knowledge and skills through performing, composing and listening.

They will be taught to develop their vocal and/or instrumental fluency, accuracy and expressiveness; and understand musical structures, styles, genres and traditions, identifying the expressive use of musical dimensions.

They will learn to listen with increasing discrimination and awareness to inform their practice as musicians.

They will be taught to use technologies appropriately and appreciate and understand a wide range of musical contexts and styles.

Pupils will be taught to

play and perform confidently in a range of solo and ensemble contexts using their voice, playing instruments musically, fluently and with accuracy and expression
improvise and compose; and extend and develop musical ideas by drawing on a range of musical structures, styles, genres and traditions
use staff and other relevant notations appropriately and accurately in a range of musical styles, genres and traditions
identify and use the inter-related dimensions of music expressively and with increasing sophistication, including use of tonalities, different types of scales and other musical devices
listen with increasing discrimination to a wide range of music from great composers and musicians
develop a deepening understanding of the music that they perform and to which they listen.

	Year 7	Year 8
Autumn 1	Pitch, Harmony and Rhythm	The Influence of Black Culture on Music
Autumn 2	Harmony and Ensemble Skills	Stadium Rock
Spring 1	Instrumentation and the Orchestra	Film Music
Spring 2	Accidentals and Electronic Music Performance	In At the Deep End
Summer 1	Extended Harmony and Pop Music Performance	In At the Deep End
Rollover	Extended Harmony and Pop Music Performance
ICT	Electronic Music Lofi Hip-Hop, House, Garage, Drum and Bass, Synthwave	Podcasting

KEY STAGE 4

GCSE Music

Course Length: 1 Year

Available for: Year 10-11

Entry Requirements: Grade 3 or above on an instrument and/or Rock School Level 2

GCSE Music provides students with the opportunity to focus on three key areas of musicianship: Composition, Performance, and Theory/Analysis.

COMPOSITION

During the year students will write two pieces of music: a composition to a set brief, and a free choice composition. Each composition is worth 15% of the total GCSE.

PERFORMANCE

Students will perform a minimum of two pieces for their composition. A solo performance piece (which can have piano accompaniment or a backing track) and an ensemble performance with other musicians. Each performance is worth 15% of the total GCSE.

EXAM

At the end of the year, students will complete a 90-minute exam paper covering four areas of study:

The Concerto Through Time
Rhythms of the World
Film Music
Conventions of Pop

Music Technology - RSL Level 2 Certificate for Music Practitioners (Technology)

Course Length: 1 Year

Available for: Year 9-11

Music Technology is a level 2 course designed to build on the students’ experiences in KS3 of creating music using DAW software. Students will learn how to create music using MIDI and Audio, edit their tracks, and use professional mixing and mastering techniques to achieve a professional sound. Students will have access to our Mac suites with Logic Pro, as well as our three recording studios equipped with high-quality hardware and software.

As well as developing production skills, all students will complete a Musical Knowledge unit, which explores a variety of musical genres and allows them to investigate areas of music that they are interested in.

Rock School – RSL Level 2 Certificate for Music Practitioners (Performing)

Course Length: 1 Year

Available for: Year 9-11

Rock School is a KS4 course available to all students. The year-long course gives students the opportunity to form a band and rehearse during their 4.5 hours of lesson time per week. Each band will put together a setlist of several cover songs which culminates in an end-of-year performance to families. During this time, bands will have the opportunity to record one of their tracks and film a music video.â

As well as developing performance skills, all students will complete a Musical Knowledge unit, which explores a variety of musical genres and allows them to investigate areas of music that they are interested in.

Level 3 Composition/Performance

Level 3 Certificate for Music Practitioners (RSL)

This course is available to Year 11 students who have completed GCSE Music in Year 10.

Take your musical knowledge and skills further with this Level 3 course in Music! Choose a composition or performance pathway and complete a major assignment in your chosen specialism. This vocational course allows you to gain UCAS points for university entry and is the perfect platform to get ready to study Music A-Level at Sixth Form.

KEY STAGE 5 - MUSIC

AS/A-LEVEL MUSIC

From the soundtracks to Netflix TV series and the latest computer games to the intricacies of Haydn and Mozart and the excitement and passion of popular music acts and heavy metal bands, music has never been more relevant.

In As/A-Level Music, you will develop skills and gain confidence in performing in a wide range of musical styles and develop musical parts and materials using various resources, including recordings and notations. You will develop specific skills of individual and band rehearsing, arranging and preparing for performances as well as how to perform effectively to an audience. You will develop listening skills and the ability to recognise, interpret and comment on musical elements such as pitch, rhythm, chord types and progressions, harmony and tonality. You will also discover the role of the composer, writing music in many different styles and for different purposes.

HOW IS THE COURSE STRUCTURED?

As/A-Level Music covers History/Analysis, Composition and Performance. For the history/analysis section of the course, you will study the instrumental music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, Blues, Jazz, Swing and Big Band music and Innovations in Music from 1900 to the present day. For composition, you will create two pieces of music with a combined duration of 8 minutes, one of which is set to a brief of your own choice. For performance, you will perform at least three pieces with a minimum combined duration of 10 minutes, which allows you to make decisions about genre/style.

HOW IS THE COURSE ASSESSED?

The listening paper (history/analysis) counts for 40% of the course. Performance is 35%, and composition is 25%. Some performance and composition briefs are set by the exam board, and some allow you to choose your own path.

WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?

You will need to have achieved a B grade (or a 5) at GCSE Music, or a distinction at BTEC/RSL Level 2.

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE ON OFFER TO ME IF I CHOOSE THE COURSE?

In addition to your musical studies at Morpeth, you will be offered a wide range of extra-curricular and performance opportunities, such as playing with the Morpeth Big Band, Drum Works and the Morpeth Orchestra. You will also be entitled to receive free instrumental tuition on up to two instruments as well as one-to-one theory lessons. You can also be entered for graded exams if you choose.

Morpeth Music Department ensembles have performed to audiences of thousands in the UK, New York, Madrid, South Africa and the Hague.

The department has strong links with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, the Barbican, Guildhall, Serious, Taylor Guitars, Höfner and Digital Village.

Through these wonderful links, you will have the opportunity to find out more about music careers from industry professionals and take part in fantastic workshops and performance events.

WHERE DO I GO NEXT?

The high-quality teaching and learning plus our fantastic facilities will equip you with the right skills to study music at degree level. The As/A-Level music course will also enable you to visit University Music departments to support you in making the right decision for your future.

KEY STAGE 5 - MUSIC TECHNOLOGY

A LEVEL MUSIC TECHNOLOGY

Music technology plays a key role in music worldwide. Whether or not you play a traditional instrument, you will be encouraged to explore your musicality and create original materials using technology.

Music technology, like other forms of technology, advances rapidly. You will be able to embrace recent developments in the field.

Music Technology involves much practical work and encourages the cultivation of many skills. You will have opportunities to sequence MIDI, sequence audio, record live instruments, produce CDs, and compose using music technology. You will have opportunities to build an understanding of the technical processes and principles that underpin the effective use of music technology, and comment on it in writing.

HOW IS THE COURSE STRUCTURED?

You will learn and use various music and music technology skills to complete this unit. MIDI sequencing, multi-track recording, and arranging skills are all key components assessed through the practical work carried out.

You must complete three tasks, which together make the Music Technology A Level

Portfolio 1:

Task 1A: Sequenced Realised Performance

Task 1B: Multi-track Recording

Task 1C: Creative Sequenced Arrangement

You will also submit a logbook that will provide information on the resources used in each task as well as assessed questions on the creative sequenced arrangement.

HOW IS THE COURSE ASSESSED?

You will be assessed on your audio CD, containing three tracks of work as specified in the three tasks above and your logbook. The logbook will detail the equipment used and be used to answer two assessed questions on your creative sequenced arrangement.

WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?

General entry requirements and the following facilitating subjects at grade B or above: GCSE Music or an equivalent musical qualification. If you have not taken GCSE Music but have extensive experience in this subject, this will be accepted as an alternative.

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE ON OFFER TO ME IF I CHOOSE THE COURSE?

All students have the opportunity to take part in free weekly instrumental tuition, join one of the many instrumental ensembles and perform on a regular basis at Morpeth and in other prestigious venues.

In the past few years, students have visited various recording studios, taken part in a music production project with BFI, Portman Gallery Sound Installation Project and have unlimited use of state-of-the-art recording facilities at Morpeth.

A new link with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama is currently being established, focusing on a Creative Hub across various arts disciplines linking to courses at Degree Level.

WHERE DO I GO NEXT?

There are many important opportunities in higher education and many career possibilities for those proficient in handling music technology. GCE in Music Technology has been widely accepted by higher education. Music technology careers could include work as a: Sound Engineer, Record Producer or Teacher.