Music
“Music education opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around them a world of work, culture, intellectual activity, and human involvement. The future of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music”.
Gerald Ford
Teaching Staff
Peripatetic Staff
Curriculum
Key Stage 3
GCSE
A Level
Extra Curricular
Homework & Core Assessments
Gerald Ford
Teaching Staff
- Mrs M C Mackle, BA, PGCE, ATCL, AVCM - Head of Department
Peripatetic Staff
- Miss C Gilmore (Vocal - private)
- Mr S Colvin (Guitar - private)
- Mrs L Fulton (Piano/Violin - private)
- Mr D Tohill/ Mr G Murray (Woodwind/Brass - NEELB Music Service)
Curriculum
Key Stage 3
- All students in Key Stage 3 receive two fifty minute periods a fortnight.
- In Year 8 students cover a wide range of topics such as, Getting to know the Keyboard, The Elements of Music and Rhythm. All students have the opportunity to take part in music making through the use of keyboards and percussion instruments. This also allows them to work with others, in groups or in pairs and also to develop their skills as individual learners.
- In Year 9 students build on the foundations established in Year 8. They will cover topics such as Music notation, Keyboard skills and Bandlab. Students will continue to develop their knowledge and skills throughout the year.
- In Year 10 students will continue to study topics such as Chords and Accompaniments, Garageband and Film Music.
- The aim throughout the course of Key Stage 3 is that students will develop transferrable skills which they can carry through to GCSE and A Level.
GCSE
- In Years 11 and 12 students will following the CCEA GCSE Music Course. The course consists of three units: Listening (35%), Performing (35%) and Composing (30%).
- Students will have the opportunity to study a collection of pieces such as “For unto us a Child is born” from The Messiah, Superman main theme by Williams, Beoga Preludes and Polkas, and Florence and the Machine “Cosmic Love” which they will then answer questions on in the Listening exam.
- In terms of performing, students will perform one solo piece and one ensemble (group) piece followed by a discussion with the examiner.
- Composition will be worked on throughout the duration of the two year course. Students will compose two pieces: one by the end of Year 11 and the second completed by February/March of Year 12. Both pieces must be recorded and submitted to CCEA by April of Yr 12.
- Any student considering GCSE Music must be able to play an instrument or sing to an acceptable standard (ideally grade 3 standard by the end of Year 12).
A Level
- A Level Music is Offered through the Magherafelt Learning Partnership
- A Level Music students follow the CCEA Music Course.
Extra Curricular
- Extra Curricular Activities play a large part in the Music Department. We have School Choir, Orchestra, Keyboard club and Ukulele club . All these groups/ensembles are given the opportunity to perform at school events throughout the school year.
- There are many instrumental and vocal lessons on offer in the College: piano, singing, percussion, brass, woodwind, strings and guitar. All students are given the opportunity to begin an instrument at Sperrin College if they wish.
- The College also stages a musical production every three years which is usually open to all students. In previous years we have staged various productions such as Grease, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast and most recently The Little Mermaid. This is a great opportunity for students who enjoy Musical Theatre.
Homework & Core Assessments
- Students will be set homework in Music in accordance with the Homework Policy. At Key Stage Four Students may be asked to complete a variety of homework’s such as written, listening, research, ICT-based activities and/or performance-based.
- At Key Stage Three students will complete two Core Assessments throughout each year. These Core Assessments will take the form of either a written assessment, composition assessment or a practical assessment. Students will be continually assessed practically in Music as this is an integral part of every unit that we teach.
- At GCSE level we would expect students to be working 30-45minutes each evening on Music this can take the form of composing, practising their instrument and/or studying their set works. It is key for students to maintain this level throughout the two-year course.