Music
The Music Department has its own building with music teaching room, 4 practice rooms and 2 practice areas. All rooms are equipped with piano, drums, amplifiers and guitars. One practice room doubles as a control room with a window into the teaching room for recording purposes. The Music Technology suite located in a neighbouring building has 17 computers running Pro-Tools and Sibelius and is also a fully equipped music teaching room. The Music Department is fully involved in the life of the school including liturgies, concerts and workshops for feeder primary schools.
We have a team of dedicated peripatetic teachers employed through Hertfordshire Music Service. An application form for instrumental tuition can be collected from a music teacher or downloaded using the link on this page. Please contact www.hertsdirect.org on 0300 123 4048 for information about financial assistance with lessons if receiving income support. We also run a full programme of music extra-curricular activities, which are open to all, see the link below.
Students in Key Stage 3 receive one hour of music per week.
St Mary's Music Groups September 2016
Federation of Schools Services
Key Stage 3
Year 7
Students in year 7 follow schemes of work which are based around the following units: Elements of Music, Keyboard Skills and Sequencing, Winter, Animals, Graphic Scores and Theme and Variation. Each unit incorporates performing tasks (including singing), composition tasks and listening and appraising exercises.
Year 8
Students in year 8 follow schemes of work which are based around the following units: The Sea, The Blues and Jazz Improvisation, Mystery and Imagination, Journeys and World Percussion. Each unit incorporates performing tasks (including singing), composition tasks and listening and appraising exercises.
Year 9
Students in year 9 follow schemes of work which are based around the following units: War and Peace, Pop Music and the Industry and Film Music. Each unit incorporates performing tasks (including singing), composition tasks and listening and appraising exercises.
Key Stage 4
Music is offered at GCSE (Edexcel). Pupils should be learning an instrument and be prepared to participate in one or more of the music ensembles in school.
For more information on the course please see: http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/music-2009.html
Key Stage 5
Music (Edexcel) and Music Technology (Edexcel) are offered at A level.
To study Music or Music Technology at A level it is recommended that GCSE Music be taken, although in certain cases this may not be necessary.
For A level Music the minimum GCSE grade required is B with instrumental competence of minimum Grade 5/6 ABRSM or equivalent on a chosen instrument.
For A level Music Technology the minimum GCSE grade required is B in Music with instrumental competence of minimum Grade 2/3 ABRSM or equivalent on piano/keyboard.
For more information on these courses please see: http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/music-2016.html and http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/music-technology-2008.html
Instrumental Tuition at St Mary’s
Instrumental tuition is offered to GCSE and A level students in school at a subsidised rate. We offer tuition on a broad range of instruments and if we don’t have a teacher for your particular instrument we will endeavour to obtain one. It is the responsibility of the pupil to make a note of the date and time of their instrument lesson and to arrive in good time with their music and instrument.
