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Music
I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning.”
Plato
At the heart of the Music Department here at Harris Academy Tottenham is the belief that ‘Music is for Everyone’.
Our Music courses have been uniquely designed to offer every student the opportunity to find and develop their individual musical talents to the full. The students will work on a wide range of exciting activities that will ensure they develop into well-rounded young musicians equipped for music making in the 21st Century.
Staff
Ms M Gough - Subject Leader for Performing Arts
Mr S Howes - Teacher of Music
Key Stage 3
In KS3 students will study the traditional music components of Performance, Listening, and Composition through a practical performance based approach that covers a broad range of styles.
Students receive 2 classroom Music lessons per week (a double lesson) in Year 7 and 8.
YEAR 7
The unit focuses for this year are detailed below. Further details can be obtained from Mr. Kwan.
|
Term |
Unit Title |
Overview |
|
Autumn 1 |
Understanding Rhythm |
Introduction to rhythm – rhythm games, clapping polyphonic rhythms. Looking at pulse and tempo, timbre, dynamics and texture.
|
|
Autumn 2 |
Melody and chords |
Introduction to keyboard – layout, hand position and reading simple stepwise melodies. Developing two handed skills and reading abilities. |
|
Spring 1 |
Song writing and instrumental performance skills |
Applying existing knowledge of chords and diatonic harmony to create a song and perform their composition. |
|
Spring 2 |
Composing a melody on the piano |
Individual composition on a melody that they perform on the keyboard. Exploring harmony, sounds and texture. |
|
Summer 1 |
Band skills |
Exploring the history of popular music looking at rap and soul music. Combining classroom instrumental skills to perform as an ensemble. |
|
Summer 2 |
Final performance |
Personal performance project allowing students to combine and demonstrate the skills developed over the course of Year 7. |
YEAR 8
The unit and work is designed to expand on the musical knowledge that student learnt in year seven. This will ensure that students have a firm grasp of the fundamental music skills and are prepared for the GCSE through performing, composing and listening to a variety of styles of music.
|
Term |
Unit Title |
Overview |
|
Autumn 1 |
Understanding Rhythm within Jazz Music |
Introduction to rhythm and syncopated jazz rhythms and salsa. Which includes ragtime, blues, improvisation and polyphonic rhythms.
|
|
Autumn 2 |
Popular music |
Students will learn about popular music and music in the charts and perform various popular music songs. |
|
Spring 1 |
Song writing and instrumental performance skills |
Applying existing knowledge of chords and diatonic harmony to create a song and perform their extended composition which students perform themselves |
|
Spring 2 |
Composing a melody on the piano |
Individual composition on a melody that they perform on the keyboard. Exploring harmony, sounds and texture. Are students able to respond to visual stimulus to create audio
|
|
Summer 1 |
Composing a melody
|
Individual composition on a melody that they perform on the keyboard. Exploring harmony, sounds and texture. Are students able to respond to visual stimulus to create audio |
|
Summer 2 |
Ensemble skills and group work |
A recap of the skills and pieces learnt this year, ending with a melody of songs performed in groups. |
Extra Curricular
Vocal Group
Band Group
Keyboard Club
Details found on enrichment page
Useful Resources
ABRSM
RCO
Trinity College of Music
Music Matters
Independent Learning Resources
ILT Tasks: ILT tasks are linked to the area of study. Students are regularly asked to research music, instruments and composers that accompany the topic they are studying. A strong emphasis is placed on developing listening and literacy skills, developing knowledge and application of musical vocabulary. Students are encouraged to regularly practice the work completed in class as part of their independent learning responsibility.
