Upper Shirley High School

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Key Stage 4

The course has 5 areas to study:

Rhythm and metre
Harmony and tonality
Texture and melody
Timbre and dynamics
Structure and form

These are experienced through three strands:

1. The Western Classical Tradition

Baroque orchestral music
The concerto
Music for voices
Chamber music
The sonata

2. Popular Music of the 20th and 21st Centuries

Blues
Popular music of the 1960s
Rock music, R'n'B, Hip-Hop
Music theatre
Film music

3. World Music

Music of the Caribbean
Music of Africa
Music of India

Coursework:

1. You will need to compose a piece of music and complete an appraisal of that piece of music which uses at least 2 of the areas of study and is linked to the 'Western Classical Music' strand. This will be marked by an external examiner. This work represents 20% of the final mark.

2. You will compose a piece of music in a style of your choice but must use 2 or more of the areas of study. This will be marked by your teacher and moderated externally. This work represents 20% of the final mark.

3. You will perform individually and as part of a group on your chosen instrument or voice.Eache piece should last a maximim of 5 minutes. This performance will be recorded and marked by your teacher and then moderated externally. This work represents 40% of the final mark.

Written/Listening exam:

You will listen to a range of music from the 3 strands studied and answer questions under the 5 areas of study.

Tuition on Instruments

The school currently uses tutors from Southampton Music Service to deliver tuition on a wide range of instruments and also singing. Numbers taking musical instruments have doubled in the last three years, and further expansion is also desired. Learning an instrument, whether it be in school or out of school, is something which benefits pupils from so many points of view, not only musical: for example organizational skills, self–discipline, cultural awareness and the making use of the opportunities presented to work collaboratively with other musicians to develop teamwork skills. We therefore strongly urge parents to consider encouraging their son/daughter to learn an instrument.