Music - Isleworth & Syon School

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Curriculum

Introduction
KS3
KS4
KS5
Extra-Curricular

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

Voiceworks
This unit develops pupil’s 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.

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

Windband I, II and III
All students are given a brass or woodwind instrument to learn in class and use these to study melody, rhythm and harmony.

Assessment

Voiceworks
Practical assessment in singing with a range of listening and appraising tasks.

Rhythm & Pulse

Composition and listening assessment using classroom instruments and music technology.
Pentatonic Elements

Windband I, II and III
Students are assessed on their progression throughout several lessons which include music theory tests.

Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)

Details of the PPA will be uploaded soon. Six PPA sheets will be posted over the course of this year, each representing a half-term.

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.

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.

Assessment

Blues
Students will be assessed on a set practical piece as well as one of their own compositions.

Melody & Ostinato
Performance and composition assessments using voice, classroom instruments and music technology.

Gamelan
Pupils work towards a class Gamelan-style performance of a traditional piece. Pupils also compose their own Gamelan-style group piece based on one of the two most commonly used Gamelan scales.

Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)

Details of the PPA will be uploaded soon. Six PPA sheets will be posted over the course of this year, each representing a half-term.

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

Advanced Rhythm & 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.

Jazz & Improvisation
This unit develops pupils’ understanding of bass lines and chords as a harmonic foundation upon which a melody can be constructed upon and as a foundation for improvisation.

Film Music
This unit aims to give pupils the experience of being “film soundtrack composers” and explores the challenges and musical devices used in film soundtrack composition.

Assessment

Advanced Rhythm & Minimalism
Practical assessment in an ensemble and group and individual composition tasks.

Jazz & Improvisation
Composition and performance assessments with some listening tasks.

Film Music
Listening and Appraising tasks with a range of composition challenges.

Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)

Details of the PPA will be uploaded soon. Six PPA sheets will be posted over the course of this year, each representing a half-term.

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

Events that the Music Department provides music for are:

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.