Overview

Our high-quality music education will engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of Music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they will develop a critical engagement with Music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon enabling lifelong participation in, and enjoyment of, Music, as well as underpinning excellence and professionalism for those who choose to pursue the wide range of career opportunities within the industry.

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KS3 Intent Statement

The intent of the Music curriculum is to give all students the opportunity to become better musicians by developing music-making skills, and by enabling them to think more musically.

The curriculum explores a broad range of cultural, historical and stylistic contexts through a balance of singing, performing, composing, listening and appraising activities.

By developing fluency in technical skills and gaining a deeper understanding of musical concepts students are better able to appreciate, understand and express meaning and context within their own music and in the music of others.

The curriculum is delivered through timetabled music lessons and an extensive co-curricular programme that ensures all students can progress in their interests and talents by providing specialist instrumental and vocal lessons, a variety of instrumental and vocal ensembles, and a wide range of performance opportunities both within the school and in the local community.

Year 7

Students study the following styles. The focus is on developing core skills of listening, performance and composition through:

Find Your Voice – how the voice can be used to create different instrumental layers
Folk Music – using the voice and some instruments to explore expressive devices in the British Folk tradition
African Music – using the voice and Djembe drums to explore the rhythms of traditional African Music
The Blues – using keyboards and other instruments to explore the harmonic and melodic devices used in Blues

Year 8

Students explore the different genres that make up pop music. The focus is on extending listening, performance and composition skills through:

Pop Song Performance – using keyboards and other instruments to discover the building blocks of a successful pop song
Pop Song Style Workshops:
The Ukulele – learning to perform acoustic arrangements of pop songs
EDM – learning to create EDM in the Music Production suite
Reggae – using keyboards and other instruments to perform in the reggae style
Pop Song Composition – drawing together the elements and stylistic devices that make up a successful pop song students learn to compose a song in a style of their choosing

Year 9

Students study a foundation year as preparation for GCSE level music. Lessons take an integrated approach to each of these disciplines:

Performance – through independent study and extra-curricular enrichment students specialise in an instrument or singing in both group and solo performance activities
Composition – students develop compositional techniques through the study of song writing and production
Listening and Analysing – in-depth study of the genres of Rock ’n’ Roll, Rock Anthems, Ballads and the Solo Artist allows students to develop analytical and appraisal skills and to gain an appreciation of the finer details of quality music-making

Overview

OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Music will provide a contemporary, accessible and creative education in Music with an integrated approach to the three main elements – performing, composing and appraising. Learners are encouraged to be creative and to broaden their musical horizons and understanding with Areas of Study that inspire and challenge. Through the various styles and eras contained in our Areas of Study they will explore musical context, musical language, and performance and composition skills with a focus on their own instrument and genre choices.

KS4 Intent Statement

Music at KS4 enhances and strengthens the student’s musical experiences further through a varied curriculum. Music engages students through creative collaboration and thinking and at the same time, provides opportunities for the individual student to show progress in an expressive way. A wide range of extra-curricular opportunities and enrichment are offered to all students for any ability. The Music student continues to develop into the mature learner by nurturing transferable skills such as developing imagination, resourcefulness, problem solving, teamwork, communication and resilience – linking into the whole-school ethos.
The Music curriculum at KS4 allows the student to further develop skills learnt from KS3, including rehearsal skills, ensemble skills, listening and appraising skills, composition skills and performance skills. Opportunities to understand the wider context of musical styles and cultural links are also part of the KS4 curriculum. The current OCR specification allows there to be opportunities to strengthen and refine skills through a variety of different styles of music.
The KS4 curriculum continues with a “spiral” system, regularly revisiting skill sets and elements but diving deeper into each style, highlighting how some styles can be linked and making comparisons between them.

Qualification Details

Exam Board: OCR
Qualification Title: Music
Qualification Specification Code: J536
Qualification Webpage: Click here to visit the OCR webpage for the specification.

Why should I study this course?

OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Music is designed to appeal to, and cater for, a wide range of interests, instruments, personalities and directions. Learners will have the opportunity to explore instruments and Areas of Study depending on their personal preference and ability.

What knowledge and/or skills will I need?

No prior knowledge or learning of the subject is required. A background in music, for example, learning to play an instrument in an extra-curricular capacity would be beneficial.

OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Music will encourage learners to:
• engage actively in the process of music study
• develop performing skills individually and in groups to communicate musically with fluency and control of the resources used
• develop composing skills to organise musical ideas and make use of appropriate resources
• recognise links between the integrated activities of performing, composing and appraising and how this informs the development of music
• broaden musical experience and interests, develop imagination and foster creativity
• develop knowledge, understanding and skills needed to communicate effectively as musicians
• develop awareness of a variety of instruments, styles and approaches to performing and composing
• develop awareness of music technologies and their use in the creation and presentation of music
• recognise contrasting genres, styles and traditions of music, and develop some awareness of musical chronology
• develop as effective and independent learners with enquiring minds
• reflect upon and evaluate their own and others’ music
• engage with and appreciate the diverse heritage of music, in order to promote personal, social, intellectual and cultural development

What will I study in this qualification?

The key features of OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Music are:
• an integrated performance and composition component with learner choice of instrument – non-examined assessment completed during the course
• a practical portfolio that includes the board set composition task and an ensemble performance – non-examined assessment completed during the course
• an examined listening and appraisal component sat at the end of the linear course

Learners will study five Areas of Study.
Across the Areas of Study, learners will study music from the past and present, from the western tradition and other world cultures. The Areas of Study also provide opportunities for learners to further their understanding of musical styles of their own choosing:

Area of Study 1: My Music – learners study their instrument
Area of Study 2: The Concerto Through Time
Area of Study 3: Rhythms of the World
Area of Study 4: Film Music
Area of Study 5: Conventions of Pop

How will I be assessed?

Integrated Portfolio (01 or 02)
60 Marks
Non-exam assessment
30% of total GCSE
Performance on the learner's chosen instrument.
Composition to a brief set by the learner.

Practical Component (03 or 04)
60 Marks
Non-exam assessment
30% of total GCSE
Ensemble performance.
Composition to an OCR set brief.

Listening and Appraising (05)
80 Marks
1 hour 30 minutes written paper
40% of total GCSE
Listening and appraising.
A written paper, with CD.
Aural recognition and context unheard/unfamiliar music from within the Areas of Study 2, 3, 4 & 5

Possible Career Paths

Performer, Composer/Artist, Songwriter, Arranger, Session Musician, Music Producer, Sound Designer, Film Composer, Video Game Composer, Radio DJ, Music Teaching, Music Therapy, Instrumental Teaching, Events Management, Business and Arts Management, Performing Arts, Journalism, Music Marketing, Music Distribution, A&R Representative, Promotor, Tour Manager, Studio Recording Engineer, Technician, Live Sound Engineer, Acoustic Engineer, Audio Network Specialist, Event Sound Designer, Acoustic Consultant, Venue Sound Manager, Show Control Systems Engineer, Music Editor, Audio Programmer, Sound Effects Designer, Virtual Instrument Developer, Media Composer, Podcast Music Producer, Ambient Music Producer, Cinematic Sound Designer, Audio Branding Specialist, Digital Music Composer, Interactive Audio Designer, Music App Developer, AI Music Specialist, Sound Installation Artist, Music Content Creator, Virtual Reality Sound Designer, Augmented Reality Music Specialist.