Music

Aims

Music plays a unique role in humanity’s search for truth, meaning and beauty. It is and has been a vital component of public life and cultures across the world and ages. 

Music must, therefore, be a cornerstone of our pupils’ curriculum entitlement. We believe that all pupils at BFS are entitled to receive an outstanding music education and that they are all capable of achieving extraordinary things in music.  

Our aim is that all pupils will have a huge amount of musical knowledge—knowledge of how music works, and how it creates meaning. They will see listening to, appreciating, and making music as normal, everyday activities and will have the opportunity to further develop their musical interests and proficiency through participation in lessons and groups.  

All pupils will have access to the three areas of musical education: Curriculum Music, Co-curricular music and Enrichment events.

Key Stage 3

At KS3 we focus on the core Elements of Music, DART SMITH and how they are used in pieces.

In Year 7 we study each of these elements through practical work in drumming, singing and composing.

In Year 8 and 9 we focus on the different elements within the context of different genres of music, such as film music, Blues and Baroque, specifically the Ground Bass.

Key Stage 4

At KS4 we offer GCSE Music through the Pearson Edexcel exam board. Pupils will have to perform on one instrument, both a solo and ensemble performance. They will compose two pieces of music, one completely free choice of their own and one set by the exam board. The course finishes with a written Listening and Appraising exam, in which we study 8 pieces of music in the following 4 areas:

AOS1 – Instrumental music from 1700-1850

AOS2 – Vocal Music

AOS3 – Music for Stage and Screen

AOS4 – Fusion music