Welcome to Performing Arts Music!
The primary intent of our Key Stage 3 music curriculum is to engage, inspire and develop a love and appreciation of music. This is achieved by developing musical skills, understanding music theory and its history and promoting creativity, through composition and performance. Our curriculum provides opportunities for students to engage with various musical genres and cultures and aims to nurture well rounded individuals with an understanding and appreciation of the arts around them. It offers enjoyment and recreation; emotional satisfaction; and opportunities for individual collaboration, creativity and expression.
Whilst at Castle Manor, children have access to a varied Music programme.Our intention is that all students gain a firm understanding of what music is, through listening, singing, playing, improvising, evaluating, analysing and composing across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions and musical genres. This includes, Blues, popular and classical orchestral music, film music and music from countries such as Africa and Brazil.
PROUD Values
In our vibrant music program, Professionalism shines through every note, as we teach students to approach their lessons with dedication, precision, and a commitment to excellence.
With Resilience as their melody, we teach our students to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, pushing past obstacles with unwavering determination and a strong belief in their own potential.
Optimism harmonizes with every chord, infusing our music classes with positivity, creativity, and a boundless sense of possibility as students explore new rhythms, melodies, and harmonies.
In our inclusive music curriculum, Understanding is the key to harmony. We teach students to listen to and appreciate the diverse perspectives and musical styles, fostering a culture of empathy and respect.
Driven by a passion for music, we teach our students to compose their own symphony of success, fuelled by ambition, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of their artistic dreams.
Proudly taking the spotlight, we teach our students to showcase not only their talents but to acknowledge and celebrate student achievements, building confidence and self-esteem.
Teaching staff and facilities
The subject of Music is taught by our experienced Music teacher Mrs Plunkett. Our music department is equipped with a dedicated classroom where students can learn theory and history of music and access our cutting edge imacs providing access to industry standard software for composition and production. For those seeking a quieter space to perfect their skills, we have 4 practice rooms where students can hone their instrumental skills, refine vocal techniques or collaborate on ensemble performance.
Curriculum Intent for Year 8
In Year 8, our Music lessons allow students to embark on a journey around the globe, where students delve into vibrant sounds of world music. From pulsating rhythms of African drumming to infectious beats of Brazilian samba and the colourful melodies of jazz and blues, students explore the diverse array of musical traditions and styles. Through lessons and collaborative workshops, students not only learn about cultural significance and historical context of each one but develop practical skills in performance as a class ensemble.
Curriculum Map for Year 8
Dance, Drama and Music lessons are taught on termly carousel. Students will spend 1 term in each discipline receiving a double lesson each week.
Music (1st Half term) African Music/Samba
Music (2nd Half term) Jazz and Blues
Extra-curricular activities
Paid Peripatetic lesson are available to all students
Our Choir is led by County Music Services
Our School Band (Manor Musicians) is led By Mrs Plunkett
All students have opportunity to perform at the Church Christmas Carol Concert and School music concerts.
All students will have the opportunity to audition for our annual school musical
| Yr8 Music Rotation 1 | Our first topic is World Music Students will learn about African music and how it has spread to help influence and create musical styles throughout the world. Students will learn about polyrhythm, syncopation, improvisation and repetition. They will learn about the Djembe drum playing techniques and perform in whole class and small group ensembles. They will then look at Africa’s influence on Samba and students will learn about Samba Batucada and then perform rhythms and melodies. |
| World music is an English phrase for styles of music that are from non-western countries. Learning about World Music can inform students music and musical interests, as well as provide insight into different cultures, communication patterns, rhythms, instruments, sounds, and ways of making music. The students will be assessed at the end of the topic with a listening test to ascertain their understanding of the key concepts and theory learnt throughout the topic. The practical assessment is a group performance of the popular song ‘Wimoweh’ with vocal melody, chord accompaniment and percussion parts. | |
| Yr8 Music Rotation 2 | Our second topic is Jazz and Blues Leading on from African music, we look at how Blues emerged because of slavery and the mass migration of Africans to the Americas. Students learn how to play the twelve-bar blues and a walking bass pattern. They can also challenge themselves by learning the blues scale and trying to improvise. Eventually, students will learn about AAB lyric structure and create their own blues lyrics. Students will also learn how blues has led to modern popular music styles. |
| Blues and Jazz is studied as part of the ‘Music for Ensemble’ topic at GCSE and this topic prepares students well for this. The blues has become the basis for nearly every form of American popular music over the past 100 years so is a very important and relevant topic to study. The students will be assessed at the end of the topic with a listening test to ascertain their understanding of the key concepts and theory learnt throughout the topic. The practical assessment is a blues performance of the chords, bass and lyrics with an optional improvisation. They can sing it or play it on the keyboard and will be assessed on accuracy, fluency and expression. |