Ethos

Music means a lot of things to a lot of people. It could be music of the past or music that has just been written. Music influences us in every aspect of life. We hear music every day, almost every hour. It can be very personal to each and every one of us. To study music, whether it is in composition, performing or just listening helps us to develop many practical skills which we can carry forward into our future lives.

Years 7 – 9
Pupils study a wide range of music. Emphasis is on the National Curriculum components of Composing, Performing and Listening and Appraising. They receive a one hour lesson a week and study a variety of musical styles. It is practically based though musical notation and theory are also studied but always in the context of practical work. Boys have the opportunity to continue learning an instrument from primary school or to start learning a new instrument. All boys are actively encouraged to take part in a variety of musical ensembles and in class music.

Years 10 – 11
Pupils at this stage are encouraged to either continue music or to take lessons on an instrument. The Edexcel GCSE syllabus is followed and is divided up into three main sections: Composing, Performing and Listening and Appraising.

60% Composing and Performing (internally assessed course work).
40% Listening and Appraising (externally assessed examination).
Four areas of Study:
1. Western classical music 1600 – 1899
2. Music in the 20th century
3. Popular music in context
4. World music

See the Outline Programme for Delivery of GCSE

Years 12−13
AS and A2 Music Technology are offered following the Edexcel syllabus. The emphasis is on recording and sequencing and creating, reproducing and manipulating sound using digital recording and computer technology. The course uses both Sibelius4 and Cubase music software.

Music Technology AS Planning 2009/10

Enrichment

Click here for the Music at the Movies Concert March 2010 photos

Click here for the Summer 2009 Concert: 60’s, 70’s, 80’s Music photos 

Here is a list of what is on each week (updated Sept. 2009)

Monday:
Gospel choir 4-4.45pm in MU1: Open to all years. We perform a range of popular music including songs by Mika, Madcon, Jeff Buckley, Incognito, The Beatles and many more. We have been chosen to perform ‘Adiemus’ by Karl Jenkins at the Assembly Hall in Tunbridge Wells in October accompanied by the City of London Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra.

Year 7 choir MU1 3.45-4.45. Open to all year 7’s, this choir will form the basis of the chorus for Oliver the musical which we are staging in December. No audition necessary! (no audition necessary)

Tuesday:
Rock School 12.30-1.20 in Live Room and MU2: Open to all years, this is a new club for musicians who want to get a band together but need some teacher support and a place to practise.

Wednesday:
Guitar Ensemble Beginners 12.30-1pm in MU2- Beginners to grade 3 playing a range of music for acoustic guitar. You may borrow a school guitar
Guitar Ensemble Advanced 1pm-1.25 in MU2: for grade 3 and above on acoustic guitar.

Thursday:
Windband: 3.45-4.45 Open to all years playing wind and brass instruments as well as bass, guitar, keyboard and drums. We perform a range of Jazz, Soul and Funk tracks such as ‘Midnight Hour’, ‘Boogie Down’ and Funky Town’
Orchestra: 3.45-4.45 Open to all years and all instruments especially strings and woodwind. Committed players from the windband and orchestra will be selected to play in the ‘Oliver’ Band to accompany the musical in December.

Friday:
GCSE Music Clinic 12.30-1.20. This is a supervised session in which GCSE students may work on their composition and performance coursework with the help of Ms Stokes and Mr Shillito.

Music staff
Head of Music: Ms C Stokes and Mr Shillito
Tutors: Mr A Goss, Mr N Fish, Mr A Cook, Mrs P Travis, Mr M Lyons, Mr P Metcalfe, Mr P Levett.

For further information please contact the Head of Department via the School Office:
T: 01892 529661
E: thegrammarschool@twgsboys.kent.sch.uk