Miss Humphreys – Head of Department
Mr Williams – Teacher of Music
The main objective of the Music Department at Key Stage 3 is to inspire all students in Years 7, 8 and 9 to enjoy making music. In lessons, students work on developing their skills in three areas: performing, composing and listening. The Music Department provides interesting and innovative schemes of learning that are designed to enable students to reach their full potential, such as a programme centred around four chord songs, to units based on classical music, to schemes focused on acapella vocal work.
The WJEC specification that the department uses for GCSE encourages an integrated approach to the three distinct disciplines of performing, composing and listening through four interrelated areas of study. Musical Forms and Devices, Music for Ensemble, Film Music and Popular Music. The four areas of study are designed to develop knowledge and understanding of music through the study of a variety of genres and styles in a wider context. Students are required to submit a performance portfolio, two compositions and complete a written listening exam.
Students are offered the opportunity to study Music at A Level. The department uses the WJEC specification. This specification provides learners with the opportunity to study music in an integrated way where the skills of performing, composing and listening reinforce knowledge and understanding of musical elements, contexts and language. The specification also allows learners to specialise in either performing or composing at A2.
The Music Department offers a wide range of extra curricular activities throughout the year. The department runs various clubs such as Senior Vocal Group, Junior Band, Jam Pod Club, Singing Club and Big Band. These clubs prepare for the various concerts and events timetabled during the year, such as our Christmas and Summer Concerts. Gwent Music provides peripatetic lessons on various instruments and voice. The Music Department also works closely with the Drama Department to produce a whole school production every year, following on from the success of “We Will Rock You” in 2015 and “Annie” in 2016. The department also runs regular trips to see productions of musicals and concerts.
“The Music Department is great. The facilities are outstanding and the teachers are some of the best in the school. The lessons are always interesting and we learn lots of new skills and terminology each lesson. The extra curricular activities give you really good opportunities, improve your confidence and we have made many new friends from attending the clubs.”