Key Stage 3 Music

Music is a unique form of artistic expression which encompasses a diverse range of learning skills; literacy, mental and physical coordination, teamwork, perseverance and dedication are a few of the many skills involved in developing all round musicianship. Through the study of music students develop high levels of focus and an ability to work independently; they learn how to appraise and improve their own work, but they also learn how to work effectively as part of a creative team – skills that will be valued by future employers.

Music is taught as a compulsory part of the Core Curriculum at Key Stage 3. Every student in years 7, 8 and 9 has a 1 hour lesson per week. Music is a practical subject which focuses on the skills of Listening, Performing and Composing. The syllabus explores a wide range of musical cultures, vocal and instrumental techniques, from Classical to Rock and Pop, from traditional World Music to Music Technology.

Music lessons are designed to be accessible to all students regardless of prior experience and attainment. The KS3 Programme of Study provides opportunities for all students to gain confidence in their musical skills and make progress in a range of musical contexts. Many of our students enter QE with advanced skills in singing, or one or more instrument, having had tuition for a number of years. Provision is made for these students to develop their wider musical skills in the classroom. Extra-curricular musical activities are available to students and music staff encourage them to join the Choir, Jazz Band, String or Brass Ensembles.

KS3 Music Programme of Study

Year 7

Autumn Term

• Voiceworks – Exploring vocal performance in a range of styles, from vocal sounds to speech to singing.
• Introduction to the Keyboard – Learning to read and perform from musical notation*. Songs for Christmas.

*For experienced keyboard players - composing musical accompaniments

Spring Term

• Ensemble Performance– class performance of Pachelbel's Canon
• Advertising Jingles – composing themes for Radio and TV adverts

• The Blues – developing an understanding of the history of blues and composing and performing blues songs

Year 8

Autumn Term

• African Drumming – Learning African Drumming Techniques.
• Theme and Variations – Developing composing skills through the study of 18^th Century Variation Form.

• Taiko Drumming – A whole class performance of a taiko-based composition

Summer Term

• Musical Futures- Looking at instruments of the pop world through group performances of pop songs

Year 9

Autumn Term

• War and Music in the Twentieth Century – an exploration of 20^th Century composition techniques.
• Music Technology – Clubdance music. Composing a dance track using acidpro

• Musical Futures-developing students knowledge of instruments of the pop world.
• Film Score – using ICT to develop a film score for a short cartoon

Summer Term

• Reggae – looking at the history of reggae and performing ‘Three Little Birds’ in groups
• Final Project – an opportunity for students to choose a specific task, which is based on Btec criteria.

Playing piano is a great life-long hobby . The most important part in learning to play the piano is enjoyment and it teaches you to concentrate and multitask. Do discuss what you would like to get out of your piano lessons and they can be tailored to your requirements.

Frederiek Maddock studied with Trinity College London for her piano teaching degree and has taught for 25 years in England and abroad. She currently teaches piano at a number of local schools and privately, She has accompanied a number of instrumental players, singers and a choir.

Graduate with experience of teaching (and playing) in a wide variety of genres. Annie's teaching is based on appreciating and fostering the individual interest and ability that each student brings, combined with careful planning, to cover, to an appropriate standard, all the varied aspects of instrumental playing, and music, including improvising, playing by ear and music exams. She keeps up to date with the latest and best in instrumental technique, musicianship and teaching through membership of instrumental organisations; attendance at master classes, workshops, and instrumental teacher training events; and is a mentor on the Trinity/ Open University training programme for instrumental teachers. She provides students with a music diary for work between lessons, and parents with annual reports at the end of the spring term.

Ben started his music career at the age of five, when he joined the Devon Youth Orchestra as a percussionist. Since then, Ben has played professionally in both Europe and the Americas where he wrote radio jingles for Mexican and Canadian radio. He continues to play in a variety of ensembles from latin and funk through to experimental jazz. He has been teaching drums and percussion since 1995.

Catherine Warren (BAhons, PGdip, LRSM) studied at Bath Spa University College and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She has conducted the Exeter Male Voice Choir for six years and has been Musical Director for Crediton-based singing group 'Mellow D' for two years. Catherine often directs the music for several local amateur theatre groups, and teaches piano and cello. She is a founding member of the Exe Valley String Quartet.

I moved here from the Netherlands in 1999 and have gradually built up a teaching practise in and around Crediton. I combine teaching music with running the Devon Mediation Service (neighbour disputes), which is a brilliant combination for me. I love playing and teaching the violin and learn a huge amount from my students. I teach all grades and am also very happy for students not to take any grades at all. I am very keen to create opportunities for children to play together (I started an orchestra at Copplestone school, which has been really good fun). I do expect my students to put in some work at home, but appreciate there are times that there are lots of other pressures on them (school work for example). I charge £12 for 30 minutes.

Teaching privately and at schools for 30 years. All styles, all grades (rock school and RGT) Played semi-professionally since I was 16; played electric and acoustic folk, blues, jazz, rock and sundry other styles! Played solo in bands and written and performed for theatre groups. I also play and teach bass guitar, banjo (4 and 5 string) and mandolin; I also play musical saw, phonofiddle and various odd instruments. Hobbies: walking, djembe drumming, luthiery, bagu chuan.

I have been vocal tutor at QE for 4 years and I led the QE choir for 3 years. I have a PGCE Primary Education and currently lead 3 Community Choirs in the South West. I work as a freelance vocal tutor in primary schools in Devon and have worked for Singup (the government initiative to bring singing into schools) regularly with teachers and pupils over the last 3 years.
Whilst I am not professionally trained as a singer I am passionate about singing and am a member of the Natural Voice practitioner's Network - whose belief is that singing is our birthright. I aim to support young people to grow in confidence and find their natural singing voice. There is also an opportunity for singers to take Rock School Vocal Exams.