Music

Learning Journey & Sequencing Rationale

Starting with the use of music in different film and stage Genres and progressing through to the historic and contemporary use of the djembe in African culture, the music curriculum at Harrow High embraces and celebrates the history and diversity of music. Theory lessons are integrated into practical studies, with the opportunity to learn about the Baroque, Classical and Modern eras. Students benefit from a specialist music teacher in weekly lessons in year 7 and, in years 8 and 9, a double weekly lesson for 11 weeks where they will compose, perform and analyse in several genres.

We are delighted to also have specialist instrumental tutors and four dedicated practice studios for those students who wish to focus on taking their national grades. We work closely with Harrow Music services to ensure that instruments are available for long term loan and that peripatetic staff are available to accommodate growing demand.

ks3 music learning journey

unit overview

Subject: Music
Skills	Explore Functions of Film Music through the Elements of Music: Reading music notation Playing glockenspiel Performance Analysis Prepare a performance using musical skills practiced in class. Pitch, Rhythm, Beat and Sonority
Knowledge	Knowledge will be demonstrated through the following skills: Correct application of pitch, rhythm and beat in performance Correct use of stimulus (sheet music) as an aid to the performance Demonstration of musical intent and successful communication with audience, creating engagement with audience Key skills: Identifying and applying the 4 Functions of Film Music: Setting the scene: time and place, communicating emotions; atmosphere and mood; Underlining characters and their personality. Identifying Elements of Music Perform a short musical work/song Engage an audience, using a specific genre Oral and written evaluation of performance Successfully identify areas for improvement in performance Extended Writing: Evaluating performance through analysing the skills they have applied to performance and how successful they are in their ability. Setting targets for improvement
Rationale	Studying ‘Functions of Film Music’ (the use of music to support a scene in media) will allow learners to understand how film music can be constructed in different ways, so as to demonstrate how music enhances presentation of visual media. This enables skills in discerning how presentation determines specific audience interpretations of scenes within different forms of media. Attention to and discerning of Music Elements enables learners to see music as an abstract construction that is the product of both reason and emotion in equal balance. Development of these faculties is important for competence in music and other subjects. Interpersonal relationships will be developed through paired and group work. This topic is an engaging start to the new year for Year 7s. Identifying music elements is a skill that needs to be taught to lay the foundations for GCSE music. Skills learners develop will lead to creative composition work and the ability to perform different styles of music. GCSE composition component looks at how learners apply different styles and genres of music to their creations.

knowledge Organisers

A knowledge organiser is an important document that lists the important facts that learners should know by the end of a unit of work. It is important that learners can recall these facts easily, so that when they are answering challenging questions in their assessments and GCSE and A-Level exams, they are not wasting precious time in exams focusing on remembering simple facts, but making complex arguments, and calculations.

We encourage all pupils to use them by doing the following:

Quiz themselves at home, using the read, write, cover, check method.
Practise spelling key vocabulary
Further researching people, events and processes most relevant to the unit.