Music - Isleworth & Syon School

At Christmas, we put on a Carol Concert to spread the festive cheer!
The showpiece event for our musical ensembles is July’s Summer Arts & Technology Evening.
Students have access to top-of-the-range Apple iMacs for their music technology lessons.
Singing forms a big part of both our curriculum offer and our extra-curricular provision!

The music department at Isleworth & Syon is a vibrant and dynamic area of the school which aims to encourage all students to participate in musical activities, through both the varied and challenging classwork, and through a vast array of extra-curricular activities.

We encourage as many students as possible to take part in performances to demonstrate ability across the whole spectrum. The programme comprises of performances rehearsed in class time and at extra-curricular clubs. We also encourage students to set up and rehearse their own ensembles.

Instrumental lessons are arranged in the school, using specialist peripatetic teachers provided by the Hounslow Music Service, ensuring that all students at Isleworth & Syon are given the opportunity to learn an instrument formally during their time at the school and pursue accredited music qualifications.

View the staff team

Curriculum Leader
Mr T McDonnell
Subject Leader: Music
Mr D McKeever
Teaching Staff
Mrs A Warner

Summary

Curriculum Content

Year 7

Curriculum

Rhythm & Pulse
This unit introduces pupils’ awareness to the importance of pulse and rhythm as a fundamental upon which music is built and performed.

Voiceworks
This unit develops pupils’ ability to explore the voice through singing a wide range of different types and styles of songs, developing their ability to sing music in two (or more) parts.

Pentatonic
In this unit, pupils will develop an awareness of the pentatonic scale and how it is used in different musical traditions to make a wide range of instrumental and vocal music

Music for Special Occasions
In this unit pupils consider musical elements and factors which affect composers’ response to a commission and explore the contextual and musical features required for writing a piece of music for a special occasion or event.

Introduction to Sequencing
In this unit pupils develop their understanding and confidence in using Logic Pro X software (industry standard recording studio software) to produce a range of musical performances and compositions for multiple instruments.

British Folk Music
During this unit, pupils will develop their knowledge and understanding of folk music as a musical genre, listening to examples of folk music from different times and different places and compare the use of instruments, musical elements and compositional devices used.

Assessment

In Year 7 Units of Work students are assessed regularly in Performing, Composing and Listening & Understanding during solo and ensemble classroom activities. In this way students are confident and comfortable with the methods of assessment required in music during KS4 and KS5 should they wish to continue studying it. The results of these assessments are shared with students so that they are fully aware of their attainment levels, setting appropriate targets to help reach their end-of-year expected levels.

Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)

PPA sheets will be uploaded in due course.

Further Resources

The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, in order to view activities and discussion points for music. You can log in with the following details:

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 8 curriculum.

MusicTheory.net – a useful website that will help with music theory
BBC Bitesize: KS3 Music – an informative website with information on different musical styles and well known composers.
NyphilKids.org – a fun and informative website about the orchestra with quizzes and games.

Year 8

Curriculum

Blues
Explores the history of blues and its influence on today’s music.

Form & Structure
This unit explores simple form and structure, enabling students to create and develop their own musical ideas whilst also developing confidence to recognise different structures whilst analysing a wide range of musical styles.

Space Music
This unit begins by exploring Holst’s ‘The Planets’ to explore the connection between Music and Space and to provide a stimulus for creative composition work.

Melody & Ostinato
Focuses on how composers combined ranges and patterns of notes to create an intended outcome.

Gamelan
This unit introduces pupils to the timbres, rhythms, melodies and structure of the Indonesian Gamelan.

Film Music
During this unit, pupils will develop their knowledge and understanding of the challenges and musical devices used in film soundtrack composition.

Assessment

In Year 8 Units of Work students are assessed regularly in Performing, Composing and Listening & Understanding during solo and ensemble classroom activities. In this way students are confident and comfortable with the methods of assessment required in music during KS4 and KS5 should they wish to continue studying it. The results of these assessments are shared with students so that they are fully aware of their attainment levels, setting appropriate targets to help reach their end-of-year expected levels.

Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)

PPA sheets will be uploaded in due course.

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 8 curriculum.

MusicTheory.net – a useful website that will help with music theory
BBC Bitesize: KS3 Music – an informative website with information on different musical styles and well known composers.
ClassicsforKids.com – a creative website where students can compose their own music without any additional software at home.

Year 9

Curriculum

African Drumming & Minimalism
This unit develops pupils’ understanding of polyrhythmic music and contemporary minimalist styles exploring how different polyrhythmic textures and musical conventions are used by minimalist composers including the use of repetitive and changing rhythmic and melodic motifs in different styles of minimalist music.

Ground Bass
This unit explores how composers from the Baroque era developed the concept of Ground Bass to create and develop entire complex pieces of music, a process used by many of today’s top composers and producers.

The Popular Song
Pupils learn about different musical devices used in popular songs including application of music technology and techniques to achieve contrasting textures, moods and styles.

Reggae & Latin American Music
This unit introduces pupils to the timbres, rhythms, melodies and structure of Reggae and Latin American Music, their respective roots and how they have contributed to popular music across the world.

Fusion
During this unit, pupils will develop their knowledge and understanding of the techniques, challenges and musical devices used in musical fusion using a range of popular and world music.

Assessment

In Year 9 Units of Work, students are assessed regularly in Performing, Composing and Listening & Understanding during solo and ensemble classroom activities. In this way students are confident and comfortable with the knowledge and skills required for the study of GCSE music should they wish to continue studying it. The results of these assessments are shared with students so that they are fully aware of their attainment levels, setting appropriate targets to help reach their key stage expected levels.

Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)

PPA sheets will be uploaded in due course.

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 9 curriculum.

MusicTheory.net – a useful website that will help with music theory
BBC Bitesize: KS3 Music – an informative website with information on different musical styles and well known composers.
Incredibox – a website that helps students understand some compositional techniques.

Summary

At GCSE, students now study the Edexcel syllabus and further develop their ability to perform, compose, listen and appraise through musical strands that encompass the Western Classical tradition, World Music and Popular traditions. The students work as an ensemble to compose and perform original music for the annual school production. Students will explore four areas of study which focus on different genres of music. These will all be experienced through a variety of listening, analysis, performing and composing activities.

In addition to helping students acquire subject knowledge, this subject:

Provides students with the opportunity to gain self-confidence through performing to others;
Develops team-working skills through performing and composing with others;
Extends students’ creative skills through composing music;
Encourages the understanding of the importance of continuous evaluation and refinement in any musical process.

GCSE Music

Specification Code: 1MU0
Level: GCSE
Examination Board: Edexcel

Curriculum

Over the two-year course, students will study the following topics:

Instrumental Music 1700-1820
Vocal Music
Music for Stage & Screen
Fusions

Assessment

All assessments are taken at the end of Year 11.

Unit 1 – Listening to and Appraising Music
Written examination – 1 hour 30 minutes – 40% of GCSE grade

Unit 2 – Performing Music
Controlled assessment – 1 solo performance, 1 ensemble performance (60 marks) – 30% of GCSE grade

Unit 3 – Composing Music
Controlled assessment – 1 composition to a brief, 1 free composition – 30% of GCSE grade

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 10 curriculum.

BBC Bitesize: GCSE Music – Website that is designed for students to help them revise for their Listening to an Appraising Music exam paper which also provides ideas for their compositions.
MusicTheory.net – A useful website that aids students with interval and cadence recognition which is a major part in the written exam paper.
Cram.com – a very useful website that can be used for all subjects! Students can create their own revision cards and share with their peers.

Summary

At A level, students study the AQA syllabus which enables students to extend their knowledge and understanding of music, to create and develop their own musical ideas and to demonstrate technical, interpretative and communication skills through performing music.

The six-unit course helps students to develop aural, theoretical and analytical skills and enables them to explore a significant set work and an area of study selected to suit their preferences. They can choose to study compositional techniques, to create music which draws on their own experience and enthusiasm or to arrange a given piece of music. In their performances, students can present solo and ensemble pieces and can work with music technology.

A level Music

Specification Code: 1271/2271
Level: A level
Examination Board: AQA

Curriculum

During the two-year course, students will study the following topics:

The Western Classical Tradition (Baroque: the solo concerto; Classical: the operas of Mozart; Romantic: the piano music of Chopin, Brahms and Grie)
Pop music
Music for media
Music for theatre
Jazz
Contemporary traditional music
Art music since 1910

Assessment

Unit 1 – Appraising Music
Written examination – 120 marks – 40% of A level

Unit 2 – Performance
Externally-assessed coursework – Solo and/or ensemble performing as an instrumentalist, or vocalist and/or music production (via technology); Minimum of 10 minutes performance recorded time (50 marks) – 35% of A level

Unit 3 – Composition
1 composition to a brief, 1 free composition (A minimum of four-and-a-half minutes of music in total is required) – 50 marks – 25% of A level

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 12 curriculum.

MusicTheory.net – A useful website that aids students with interval and cadence recognition which is a major part in the written exam paper.
Cram.com – a very useful website that can be used for all subjects! Students can create their own revision cards and share with their peers.
Teoria.com – a revision website that helps students practice aural dictation, recognise chord movements and cadences

The music department is pleased to offer a range of extra-curricular activities to all students at Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.

Instrumental Lessons

Instrumental lessons are arranged in the school, using specialist peripatetic teachers. At present, the performing arts department offers 11 separate peripatetic lessons to students. The full timetable will be available from September.
In order to apply for music instrument lessons please click on the button below and complete an application form. Hounslow Music Service will then be in touch to inform you when your son’s music instrument lessons will commence. Please also remind your son/ward to come and inform Mr McKeever (in the music department) that you have completed an application.

Make an Application

Extra-Curricular Ensembles

There are also a number of groups organised by the department for breaktime, lunchtime and after school. These include:

Concert Band
Jazz Band
Sports Choir
String Group
Guitar Ensemble

The full timetable will be available from September.

School Events

Senior Awards Evening (September);
School Production (December);
Christmas Concert at St Mary’s Church (December);
Summer Arts & Technology Evening (June);
Key Stage 3 Awards Evening (July);
End-of-term assemblies (December, March/April, July);
Any other assemblies where the opportunity arises.
Battle of the Bands
School album

To apply for lessons, please read the information sheet below and then click the ‘Apply Now’ button underneath:

Apply now