Music

K R Brown, BMus ALCM FGMS FRSA (Director of Music)
Miss E C Robinson, BA
M Trotter, BA

Why Music?
The Music School provides ample opportunities for pupils to express themselves in music, develop their self-esteem and allow them to grow as people. Professional music tuition is available at every level and every year hundreds of pupils take advantage of the musical opportunities, giving insight to many different styles and cultures. Pupils who take up these opportunities are also members of many ensembles that include the Orchestra, Junior Orchestra, Choir, Junior Choir, Chamber Choir, Choral Society, Jazz Band, Funk Band, Contemporary Band, Wind Band, string quartets, trios, Flute Choir, Clarinet Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Recorder Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble and the Sinfonia .

For some pupils the course will mark the end of formal examinations in music while for others it will stand them in good stead for further studies at music academy or university.  Whatever the pupil’s eventual destination or career the course will provide him or her with a thorough training in all aspects of musicianship which should serve to enhance both participation in, and enjoyment of, music at whatever level in future years.

The Course
The primary object of the course is to build upon the candidates’  skills of Listening, Performing and Composing, allowing individual strengths to be used to the full.  It is particularly suited to those candidates who are keen performers and/or composers.


The AS Examination(AQA)
Unit 1 Influences on Music - Listening and Understanding
(AS 30%, A2 15%)

In this unit pupils identify various aspects of music by responding to questions in a listening test, which includes questions that focus on timbre, texture, tonality and harmony.

Pupils will then complete a written paper based on questions relating to the Set Work: Mozart Symphony No. 41 in C (K551), Movements 1 and 3, and also from a second area of study to be chosen from the following:

• Choral Music in the Baroque Period
• Music Theatre: a study of the musical from 1940-1980
• British Popular Music from 1960 to the present day.
 
Unit 2 Composing: Creating musical ideas (AS 30%, A2 15%)

Composing is completed as coursework over a timetabled period of 20 hours. Pupils use this time to respond to one of the following briefs:

• Two exercises in techniques – harmonisation of a 16 bar melody and controlling texture.
• A 3-6 minute composition (free style or pastiche) in response to a given brief
• An arrangement of a set folksong melody for voices, instruments or ICT.

Unit 3 Performing (AS 40%, A2 20%)

This unit enables pupils to develop their skills in performing. During the course, pupils have the opportunity to take part in ensemble performances as well as performing solo and will be assessed on two performances from two of the following categories:

• A solo instrumental/vocal performance
• A solo instrumental performance on a second instrument
• An ensemble performance
• A performance through technology using sequencing
• A performance through technology using multi-tracked or close microphone recording.

Each performance must last between 5-8 minutes and this can be achieved either through presenting one long piece or two or more shorter ones. Marks are awarded for ‘level of demand’ and pieces at Grade 5 standard and over are entitled to receive full marks in this category.

The A2 Examination(AQA)
Unit 4 Music in Context – Listening and Understanding (20%)

In this unit pupils identify various aspects of music by responding to questions in a listening test, which includes questions that focus on timbre, texture, tonality and harmony.

Pupils will then complete a written paper based on questions relating to a Set Work: Vaughan Williams Symphony No.5 in D or Mahler Symphony No.4 in G  and also from a second area of study to be chosen from the following:

• British Choral Music in the 20th Century
• Chamber Music from Mendelssohn to Debussy
• Four decades of Jazz and Blues (1910 – 1950)

Unit 5 Composing: Creating musical ideas (15%)

Composing is completed as coursework over a timetabled period of 20 hours. Pupils use this time to respond to one of the following briefs:

• Compositional techniques – Harmonisation of a Bach Chorale melody and a classical string quartet
• Free composition lasting between 5–8 minutes
• Arranging – a piece of popular ‘classical’ music in a recognized pop, rock or jazz style. (5-8 minutes)

Unit 6 Performing (15%)

Pupils perform a 10-15 minute programme of works to include two (or more) contrasting performances.  Pupils may chose from solo acoustic performances, technology based performances or one solo performance and one technology based performance (each lasting at least 5 minutes).

The performances are recorded, centre-marked and moderated by the AQA.

Entry Qualifications
Either:
A good GCSE pass along with a high standard of instrumental/vocal performance of Grade 5 or above. Pupils should have a pass in Grade 5 theory or should be willing to work towards the qualification.
Or:
A high standard of instrumental/vocal performance of Grade 5 or above and a pass in Grade 5 theory.

Departmental Strengths
Other than the Director of Music and other academic teaching staff, Yarm School employs eighteen professional part-time musicians for instrumental teaching.

Perhaps one of the principal advantages offered is the high degree of personal attention provided for Yarm Sixth Form music students.  These students also have every chance of playing a leading role in the School Orchestra, Jazz Band, Funk Band, Contemporary Band, Chamber Ensembles and Choirs, who perform regularly outside of School and often tour abroad, and the many other and varied chamber ensembles.  The Department makes use of Sibelius 6 and Cubase, networked within the Music Lab, which allows for professional publishing and easy realisation of pupils’ compositions. The Music School also boasts five practice rooms that are available for pupil use, including a concert grand piano (7’6”), Yamaha U1 and U3 pianos, 2 digital clavinovas, a two-manual classical organ and a French double harpsichord.

 

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