Subject Intent

‘Where words fail, music speaks’
 
Music is uniquely positioned to bring together intellect and feeling, enabling personal expression, reflection and emotional development. As an integral part of our culture, past and present, music helps students to understand themselves, relate to others and develop their cultural understanding, forging important links between home, school and the wider world. 
 
At Derby Cathedral School, our music curriculum at Key Stage 5 is challenging, inspiring and engaging, building resilient, curious, tenacious and independent learners. We do this by providing quality first teaching to each and every student, teaching each unit and scheme of learning through performance, composition and appraising ensuring a comprehensive approach that really cements each student’s learning. We value the diverse range of interests, abilities and backgrounds our students have, and we build upon these by broadening students’ experiences of different musical styles, genres and cultures, but also by developing their own ‘voice’ and opinions, whilst respecting and valuing the opinions and perspectives of others.
 
The music department is outward-facing, making links beyond the school community including the local community of Derby and the world of work and careers. Derby is a renowned centre of innovation in many sectors, and the creative arts is a burgeoning area. We believe our school should play an important part in developing the creative arts in Derby through opportunities to perform within the local community and experience live performances outside of the school context through our links with Derby Cathedral, Derby Theatre and Deda. (Derby and Derbyshire music partnership) 
 
Our careers education informs students of possible careers within the arts, which raises aspirations and provides opportunities for students to develop their skills and experiences in these fields. We are working closely with a number of local providers as well as our cultural educational partnership to access local and national opportunities.   Our work with our cultural partner (based at Derby Theatre) also provides opportunities for students to thrive in Derby city and to experience a variety of cultural experiences to develop their skills, life chances and fulfil their highest ambitions. Additionally, our students are engaging with pathways beyond key stage 4 and 5 through our collaboration with a number of universities. 
 
Finally, our music and performing arts team are constantly researching new developments and teaching strategies within music and the performing arts to ensure students at Derby Cathedral School receive the best possible arts experiences matching the ‘vibrancy’ of Derby as a city centre, promoting self-worth, confidence, resilience and understanding of the world around them through a cultural and creative eye.  

 

Staffing

Head of Performing Arts

Ms J Eaton

 

Homework

Homework is set in line with the assignment or unit being covered.  Homework tasks will range from performance tasks, investigations and/or completion of assignments. For the ensemble music unit, very often, students will be asked to learn their part of the ensemble prior to an ensemble rehearsal. It is important that students plan for this and use their time well. 

Assessment

In each year, students complete an internally-assessed unit and externally-assessed unit. Assessment judgements are pass, merit and distinction and all criteria is shared with students so they are aware of how to achieve each grading. 
Students study three compulsory units and one optional unit:

  • Unit 1 Practical Music Theory – Compulsory 
  • Unit 2 Professional Practice in the Music Industry – Compulsory
  • Unit 3 Ensemble Music Performance – Compulsory
  • Optional Units:
  • Unit 4 Composing Music
  • Unit 5 Music Performance Session Styles
  • Unit 6 Solo Performance
  • Unit 7 Improvising Music

     

Independent Study and Revision

In music, we focus upon developing students’ performance, composition and appraising skills through classroom activities, homework and our comprehensive extra-curricular programme.

We look at three components or disciplines in music:

Understanding music - (music theory, notation, dynamics, rhythm, texture, structure, melody, instrumentation, harmony and tonality). 
Performing music - ensemble, solo, techniques, engaging your audience
Composing – using music technology for example Logic Pro, Soundtrap and Sibelius.  

Below is a collection of links to websites that support music:

BBC Bitesize: 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zpf3cdm 
Music Mark: 
https://www.musicmark.org.uk/resources/gcse-music-student-revision/ 
RenRec: 
https://renrec.co.uk/ 

 

Subject Enrichment

The performing arts department offers a wide range of opportunities for students to take part in dance, drama and music. These range from music groups (rock band workshops, vocal group) and school productions in which all performing arts students can take part. These opportunities allow students to gain further insight into performing arts and help them to gain confidence in performance roles. There are also ‘behind the scenes’ roles that are available, from support with lighting, sound, prompts and set design.