Music
Miss O Myatt
Head of Music
The Team
| Mrs A Hanford | Teacher of Music |
Introduction to the Department
The Music Department is at the heart of the school’s Catholic ethos and culture of academic success and community involvement.
Music is taken very seriously by our students and the practice rooms are always full during break and lunchtimes with students rehearsing their class work. The department is extensively resourced with 2 large well equipped music rooms, 1 smaller 6th Form teaching room and a separate room equipped with MuseScore (KS3), Sibelius and Logic music software for composing.
The department runs an extensive extra-curricular programme including 4 Choirs, String Ensemble, Folk Band, Jazz Band, Guitars and Ukuleles, an Orchestra, 6th Form Enrichment Band and Rock School. Over 150 students are currently involved in some form of extra-curricular music. There is at least one formal concert every term taking place in St Cecilia's Theatre. Biannually, over 50 students take part in a week long international concert tour where choirs and instrumental groups perform concerts to the local public. The summer of 2018 took us to Oberhammersback in the Black Forest with concerts in Strasbourg and Obernai. In July 2021 our 6th form musicians toured closer to home, the highlight was giving a concert in Exeter Cathedral.
The Music Department works alongside the Drama Department to put on a school musical biannually and provide music for “straight” plays too. Planning for our 2022 musical 'Les Miserables' is already underway!
Key Stage 3 Information
The Key Stage 3 curriculum focuses on the mastery of reading and writing notation whilst developing a practical and aural knowledge and use of the elements of music.
All KS3 students have 2 hours of music over a two week timetable and follow a varied programme of study which balances performance, composition and analysis. Lessons are practical based covering genres such as Year 7 – Rondo form, Gamelan, Animals in music, Year 8 – Variations, Planets, Folk Music, Year 9 – Baroque music, Minimalism, Music for Film.
Key Stage 4 Information
In Years 10 and 11, students who have opted for GCSE music follow the Edexcel syllabus analysing 8 Set Works from; Instrumental music 1700-1820, Vocal Music, Music for Stage and Screen and Fusion. They also develop their Performance and Composition skills the highest levels.
