Music

Our overall aim is to provide a wide range of musical experience to cater for all the tastes and talents within our school community.

Twitter

The Music Departmant have a Twitter account so that you can keep up-to-date with their activities. Follow the Tweets from Northgate Music: @ngate6music

Lower School (Years 7-9)

The National Curriculum for Music at Key Stage 3, (Years 7 – 9), concentrates mainly on developing the child’s natural ability range through Listening, Appraising, Composing and Performing. A great deal of emphasis is placed on performance during the lessons, (both vocal and instrumental), mainly because it acts as the link between an idea and the communication of this idea within a group. This takes the form of developing rhythmic co-ordination, pitch sense and vocal capability through a varied range of music.

Focusing on what students CAN do!
The National Curriculum stresses the need to develop the pupils’ potential by focusing on what they CAN do rather than diverting them with areas where they struggle. This leads to a more confident approach, that ultimately creates a more all-round musician.

Throughout the year, the pupils will participate in group and solo composition work that will be assessed along the guidelines set for the end of Key Stage 3 (Year 9). Pupils may also have the opportunity to take the Bronze and Silver Arts Award. This all ties in very closely with the style of assessment used in our GCSE and A level Music courses.

Each year group has a combination of topics, including World Music, Classical and Contemporary Western styles, as well as a variety of notation methods. By Year 9 pupils can use functional harmony and chords and are able to write songs. Pupils use ICT resources to extend research and listening and have excellent access to ICT to use our music technology resources. The music room has 15 PCs with Sibelius 6 and Ableton Live software which are incorporated into teaching in all year groups.

Instrumental Tuition

We have an experienced and lively group of instrumental teachers offering tuition on a wide range of instruments including: Flute, Recorder, Clarinet, Saxophone (Alto and Tenor), French Horn, Cornet, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Baritone and Tenor Horn, Tuba, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Piano, Drum Kit, Guitar (Electric and Acoustic) and Singing. Some instruments can be provided for a small charge, either via the County Music Service or from Northgate, depending on availability. Please feel free to enquire about unlisted instruments as we may be able to arrange tuition.

Upper School (Years 10-11)

Curriculum Maps

Music – Year 10
Music – Year 11

Extra-Curricular Activities.

There are many extended-curricular activities overseen by staff within the Department such as:- Concert Band, Singing Club, String Group, Brass Group and Jazz Band. They rehearse during the lunch hour or after school, with a view to performance at school events and venues in the local community. There are also groups run by the pupils themselves that often stem from KS 3, 4 or 5 work. Firm connections with DerehamSixthFormCollege students encourage musicians to continue their musical studies and experiences and they are an excellent role model for younger players and singers.