Music
SPECIFIC AIMS OF THE DEPARTMENT
The music Department in Aquinas aims to:
• provide a varied and purposeful programme of musical activities both in the classroom and in an extra-curricular capacity, in keeping with the requirements of the Northern Ireland Curriculum and the aims of the school.
• enable the students to achieve their full academic and creative potential in music through the promotion of a positive and stimulating environment.
• provide opportunities for pupils to engage in the following fundamental musical activities: • performing and appraising;
• composing and appraising;
• listening and appraising.
• provide the opportunity to acquire knowledge and appreciation of past and present musical styles, traditions and contexts.
• develop an understanding of a wide variety of music.
• develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to communicate effectively as a musician.
• develop awareness of music technologies and their use in creating and presenting music.
• develop skills in mathematics in musical contexts.
EXAM BOARD
CCEA
OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM
At Key Stage 3 Music is delivered in one double period each week. Pupils in Year 8, Year 9 and Year 10 participate in performing, composing and listening activities and they regularly appraise their own work as well as the work of others.
In Year 8 pupils cover the following topics:
• The Elements of Music
• Types of voice (Stripsody by Cathy Berberian)
• Graphic scores and staff notation
• Instruments of the orchestra (Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra by Benjamin Britten, Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev, Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns)
• Tempo, metre, pulse, rhythm and dynamics
• Composing a melody
In Year 9 pupils cover the following topics:
• Programme Music (Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saëns, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Paul Dukas)
• Key signatures, scales and chords
• Baroque Music (Winter by Vivaldi)
• Traditional music of Ireland and India
In Year 10 pupils cover the following topics:
• Popular Music - Blues
- Rock and Roll
- Reggae
- Ballad
- Rock
- Rap
• Film Music
• Dance Music and the use of ICT
OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 4 CURRICULUM
https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-music-2017
This specification is a linear course which includes two externally assessed components and one internally assessed component.
Component 1. Performing and Appraising (35%):
This will be assessed by a visiting examiner in April of year 12. Candidates will perform one solo and one ensemble piece lasting up to 6 minutes in total at a minimum level of grade 3. After the performance candidates will discuss their playing and choice of program with the examiner.
Component 2. Controlled Assessment (composing): 30%:
Candidates will compose two pieces within 25 hours. Each piece must be submitted as a score and a recording at the end of year 12 which will be internally assessed then sent to CCEA for moderation.
Composition 1 will be based on a pre-release stimulus sent by CCEA at the beginning of year 12, Composition 2 will be a free choice and will be completed in year 11. The total length for both compositions will be 3-6 minutes.
Component 3. Listening and Appraising (35%):
Candidates will undertake one written examination at the end of year 12 lasting for 90 minutes. The paper will have three sections:
Section A: aural questions on set works
Section B: aural questions on unfamiliar music from the Areas of Study
Section C: an extended writing question on one set work
Areas of Study and Set Works
1. Western Classical Music 1600–1910
- Handel: For Unto Us a Child is Born from Messiah
- Mozart: Horn Concerto No. 4, third movement
- Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, fourth movement
2. Film Music
- Coates: March (The Dam Busters) from The Dam Busters
- Williams: Superman Theme from Superman
- Horner: Young Peter from The Amazing Spider-Man
3. Musical Traditions of Ireland
- Beoga: Prelude Polkas: Prelude Polka, Paddy’s Polka No. 2 and Millstream Reel
- Stonewall: Fife Medley: Boys of Belfast and The Girl I Left Behind
4. Popular Music 1980–present day
- Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
- Ash: Burn Baby Burn
- Florence and the Machine: Cosmic Love.
OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 5 CURRICULUM
https://ccea.org.uk/post-16/gce/subjects/gce-music-2016
The specification comprises of three units at AS level and three at A2 level which incorporate the three fundamental musical activities as follows:
• performing (Unit 1);
• composing (Unit 2);
• responding to music (Unit 3).
The full Advanced GCE award is based on students’ marks from the AS (40%) and the A2 (60%).
The information below summarises the structure of the AS and A level courses:
AS 1: Performing
A solo performance at a level equivalent to at least Grade 4 standard of 5 to 7 minutes duration and a viva voce. (32.5% of AS, 13% of A level and assessed by a visiting examiner)
AS 2: Composing
A composition task (option A) or composition with music technology task (option B) of 1½ to 2½ minutes duration accompanied by a written commentary of no more than 1000 words. (32.5% of AS, 13% of A level, internally assessed and externally moderated)
AS 3: Responding to Music
Two external written examinations.
A Test of aural perception (1 hour) and a Written examination (2 hours) lasting two hours on a series of questions based on Set Works and general musical knowledge. (35% of AS 14% of A level)
Areas of study and set works:
Music for Orchestra 1700–1900
- Vivaldi Concerto in G major for Two Mandolins RV532, First and Second movements
- Mozart Symphony No. 39 in Eb major K543, First Movement
- Beethoven Symphony No. 3 (Eroica) in Eb major Op.55, Fourth movement
- Brahms Violin Concerto in D major Op.77, Third movement
Sacred Vocal Music (anthems)
- Gibbons This is the Record of John
- Handel Zadok the Priest
- Mendelssohn Hear my Prayer
- Rutter A Clare Benediction and For the Beauty of the Earth
Secular Vocal Music (musicals)
- Kern Ol’ Man River
- Rodgers & Hammerstein Soliloquy from Carousel
- Bernstein Tonight (Quintet) from West Side Story
- Schönberg & Boublil One Day More from Les Misérables
A2 1: Performing
A solo performance at a level equivalent to at least Grade 5 standard of 8 to 10 minutes duration and a viva voce. (19.5% of A level and assessed by a visiting examiner)
A2 2: Composing
A composition task (option A) or composition with music technology task (option B) of 2 to 3 minutes duration accompanied by a written commentary of no more than 1200 words. (19.5% of A level, internally assessed and externally moderated)
A2 3: Responding to Music
Two external written examinations.
A Test of aural perception (I hour 15 mins) and a Written Examination (2 hours) on a series of questions based on Set Works and general musical knowledge. (21% of A level)
Areas of study and set works:
Music for Orchestra in the Twentieth Century
- Debussy: Nuages from Three Nocturnes
- Ravel: Menuet and Rigaudon from Le Tombeau de Couperin
- Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra, First Movement
- Bernstein: Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
Sacred Vocal Music (mass/requiem mass)
- Byrd: Mass for Five Voices, Kyrie and Agnus Dei
- Mozart: Requiem Mass K626, Introit and Kyrie
- Fauré: Requiem Mass Op. 48, Libera Me
- Chilcott: A Little Jazz Mass, Kyrie and Agnus Dei
Secular Vocal Music (1600 to the present day)
- Weelkes: Thule the period of Cosmography/The Andalusian Merchant
- Handel: I Rage and O Ruddier than the Cherry from Acis and Galatea
- Schumann: Widmung and Ich Grolle Nicht
- Copland: Simple Gifts and I Bought me a Cat from Old American Songs Set 1
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The music department in Aquinas currently has 11 peripatetic tutors offering tuition in Violin, Viola, Cello, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Brass, Piano, Drum Kit, Guitar and Voice. Lessons take place throughout the school day on a rotational bases and, when ready, students can undertake external instrumental and vocal exams with the ABRSM, Trinity Guildhall, and Rock School exam boards.
The music department in Aquinas runs a huge range of extra-curricular activities on a weekly basis. The ensembles include:
• School Orchestra
• Junior String Ensemble
• Senior String Ensemble
• Flute Ensemble
• Brass Ensemble
• Junior Guitar Ensemble
• Senior Guitar Ensemble
• Guitar Trio
• Jazz Band
• Traditional Group
• Folk Choir
• Yr 8 – 11 Choir
• Yr 12-14 Choir
• Chamber Choir
We provide opportunities for our pupils to perform at our annual Carol Service, Spring Concert, Liturgical Services and regularly in Nazareth Care Village.
Every other year the music department is involved in putting on a school musical thus providing another performance opportunity for the students.
