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 very much involved in the life of the school, providing music for assemblies, liturgical services, concerts, school shows, primary taster days, presentation evenings and sports day. The department also provides music for the wider community ranging from carols at Christmas in a local care home to recitals in St. Michael’s Church.
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 groups, which are open to all, see the link below.
10 Things students should know about learning music
Key Stage 3
Students in Key Stage 3 receive one hour of music per week.
Year 7
Students in year 7 follow schemes of work which are based around the following units: Keyboard Skills, Elements of Music, Winter, Animals, Folk Music and Theme and Variation. Each unit incorporates performing tasks, 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 Blues, The Sea, Mystery and Imagination, Reggae Music and World Percussion. Each unit incorporates performing tasks, composition tasks and listening and appraising exercises.
Year 9
Students in year 9 follow schemes of work which are based around the following units: Musical Futures (pop music and covers), War and Peace and Film Music. Each unit incorporates performing tasks, composition tasks and listening and appraising exercises.
Key Stage 4
Students in Key Stage 4 receive 5 hours of music per fortnight.
GCSE MUSIC
Qualification Accreditation Number: 601/8131
Summary of Assessment
Component 1: Performing:
- Total duration of performances: 4-6 minutes.
- Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated.
- 30% of qualification.
A minimum of two pieces, one of which must be an ensemble performance of at least one minute duration. The other piece(s) may be either solo and/or ensemble. One of the pieces performed must link to an area of study of the learner’s choice.
Component 2: Composing:
- Total duration of compositions: 3-6 minutes.
- Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated.
- 30% of qualification.
Two compositions, one of which must be in response to a brief set by WJEC. Learners will choose one brief from a choice of four, each one linked to a different area of study. The briefs will be released during the first week of September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken. The second composition is a free composition for which learners set their own brief.
Component 3: Appraising
Written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes.
40% of qualification.
This component is assessed via a listening examination. Eight questions in total, two on each of the four areas of study.
- Area of study 1: Musical Forms and Devices
- Area of study 2: Music for Ensemble
- Area of study 3: Film Music
- Area of study 4: Popular Music
Two of the eight questions are based on extracts set by WJEC.
This linear qualification will be available in May/June each year. It will be awarded for the first time in summer 2018.
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:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/music-2016.html and https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/music-technology-2017.html
Instrumental Tuition at St Mary’s
Instrumental tuition is available on Voice, Piano, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe, Bassoon, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, French Horn, Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass. If we don’t have a teacher for your particular instrument, we will endeavour to obtain one. Instrumental tuition is offered to GCSE and A level students in school at a subsidised rate. Lesson times are arranged on a rotational basis in order to minimise disruption to other learning. 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.
Please see the link above for a form to start lessons.
