Curriculum

MUSIC 

Why study Music?

Music brings any community together through singing, ensemble playing, experimenting with the creative process through improvisation and composition. Music evokes emotion. The study helps strengthen students’ ability to sing and perform in harmony while further developing sound production and expressive performance. Listening is a technical exercise that develops the ability to explore musical and performance meaning with purpose listening to music with increasing analysis. It supports the development of a reliable musical and performance memory deepening understanding of the music they listen to, engage with, and perform. More generally the study of Music supports the development of concentration, phonemic awareness, literacy, memory, and academic achievement.

How will I study Music?

Students are given extensive listening opportunities to help develop expressive intentions. They are given space for exploration, inconsistency, and independence. High levels of guidance are given for novices, but productive struggle is encouraged affirming a creative state of flow. Opportunities are given to explore knowledge of musical and performance cultures, genres, traditions and repertoires throughout time, This gives a broad education and a joy in itself. In each unit students compose their own music and then perform either individually or in an ensemble.

What will I study in Music at key stage 3?

In Music in each unit of lessons pupils listen to and evaluate music from a range of traditions, cultures, time periods and genres. This supports their own ability to compose and perform. Students begin by composing and performing short melodies using simple chords. This develops into layering with textures and sonorities. Simple chord sequences become groove polyrhythms, complex bass lines. Students study the elements of Music including duration, tempo, timbre, texture pitch and structure. They study staff notation. They explore the impact of note lengths from semibreves to semiquavers, and expression with dynamic markings. They then study critical elements of Samba, Reggae, Blues, twentieth century music and digital music. This is complemented by the study of traditional Japanese and African music. Students develop competency on the keyboard and the ukulele. Students have a narrower instrument choice and consistency of instrument to improve the expressive quality of their sound production.

Enrichment Offer

The musical activities we offer include Highfield Choir, Highfield band and Music Theory, and a Songwriting Collective for students interested in writing their own songs. Groups normally meet for half an hour at lunch or an hour after school with extra rehearsals before performances.  School music groups contribute to our annual performances. All pupils have the chance to perform in our annual concert, showcasing fantastic musical talents.

Playing a musical instrument and studying music have huge benefits. It is good for academic progress, improving concentration and organisational skills, developing self‐esteem, confidence, and social skills; apart from the sheer pleasure playing music brings! Highfield Leadership Academy offers a wide range of instrumental tuition supplied by Blackpool Music Service. 

In the music department, we also offer workshops for our pupils and give tutorials on various instruments, such as piano, guitar, ukulele, and drum workshops. Key Stage 4 (KS4) students also participate in numerous extracurricular activates such as Highfield Choir, Highfield band, drum workshops, and more. The Highfield Choir also builds a strong community through community enrichment programs that include singing at local day centres, care homes, hospitals, and more!

Careers

The study of Music could lead to future careers ranging from performance artist and audio engineer to record producer and commercial composer.

Famous people with a Music degree include Lady Gaga (musician), Randolph Severn (animator, co-creator of South Park), and James May (UK presenter and journalist).

Useful Resources

BuildingBeats – Toolbox for creating beats. More than 50 interactive online resources, instruments, and more!

https://buildingbeats.org/toolbox

 

Learning Music Ableton – Get started making music, Ableton provides various lessons where you can learn the basics of music making.

https://learningmusic.ableton.com

 

Music Theory – Introductory and intermediate music theory lessons, exercises, ear trainers, and calculators.

https://www.musictheory.net

 

Soundtrap an online music studio and one of our favourite online DAWs for making beats in our classrooms and in our workshops.

https://www.soundtrap.com/musicmakers

 

BeatPort App – A web based DJ app built for music discovery and playlist development that easily connects to their partners Pioneer DJ, Serato DJ, Denon DJ, Hercules, DJay and more.

https://dj.beatport.com/home