If your child is interested in starting/continuing music lessons here at Newman then please click the button below to download the letter which contains all the relevant information.

Pupils at KS3 receive one hour of music per week and are taught in mixed ability form groups. Pupils follow a different unit of work in each term/half term covering a variety of practical, composing and listening tasks

Year 7

Pupils continue or start to their musical journey through developing performing skills in singing, percussion, drumming and keyboard skills. They start by recapping or gaining knowledge of note lengths and common rhythms, using and combining these to play a range of drum kit patterns. From here, notes on the stave lead into playing the keyboard. After learning these basics, improvising and composing, use of music vocabulary to appraise music are used to explore topics on scales, tonality and harmony.

Year 8

In Year 8 pupils after a brief recap of notes and harmony, we embark on exploring and comparing music through Cover Version, develop knowledge of reading tablature and chord diagrams by playing the ukulele. After this, we start to get an insight into some of the areas of GCSE music with a continued focus on appraising, composing and performing with topics on Blues music, film music and EDM and techniques.

In Year 10 and 11, pupils receive two hours of music per week if they choose music as a guided choice. The school follows the Eduqas exam syllabus.

At present pupils follow the Eduqas GCSE course. There are four areas of study which will incorporate performing, appraising and composing.

• AoS1 Musical Forms and Devices – an exploration of eras in orchestral music and structures used by composers.
• AoS2 Music for ensemble – exploration texture and sonority of combinations of groups of players.
• AoS3 Film Music – how films music is created, developed and performed and its impact on the audience.
• AoS4 Pop Music – different idioms of pop music are explored as well as composing techniques and development of pop culture through the ages.

It is split 4 components :-

1. Performance – Pupils will perform a minimum of 2 pieces with one being a solo and one being an ensemble (group). The duration must be between 4 and 6 minutes. 30% of the qualification.

Unit 2: Composing and Appraising Music

Two compositions, one set a brief released by the exam board and one linked to the area of study. Compositions to be 3-6 minutes in length in total. 30% of the qualification.

Unit 3 Listening and appraising.

The final exam is 1hr and 15 minutes long. It assesses their knowledge of the 4 areas of study as well as musical aural skill. This is the final 40% of the qualification.

Each pupil will be given a timetable for lessons for each half term. It is there responsibility to be there on time and with the right instrument and music. These lessons will be billed for even if not attended. If your child loses their timetable, there are spares up on the music room noticeboard and spares are available. These times must be adhered to due to specific Covid Risk assessments for staff and pupil safety.

Unfortunately due to Covid 19, extra curricular groups are not permitted, however when sanctions are lifted, here are a few things to look forward too.

Singing group

Monday and Friday lunchtimes. Come and have a sing of your favourite songs and get music ready for Mass or Christmas and performances at the music festival.

Guitar group

Guitar and Ukulele skills are on a Monday after school. If you want to learn some chords, strumming patterns and link with songs, then this might take your fancy. Work will lead to a Rock School Debut and Grade 1 qualification.

Drum Club

Drum workshop is on a Wednesday after school. There are only 8 places so sign up. Work will lead to a Rock School Debut and Grade 1 qualification.