Music

Housed in our purpose-built Steinway Music School, Key Stage 3 Music focuses on developing the three major musical skills areas: composing, performing, and, listening and appraising. We encourage all students to stretch their own boundaries, regardless of their prior musical experience. We address a wide variety of styles in our work and provide plenty of opportunities for practical work, including public performance. Over the three years, students become increasingly confident in performing and composing in a wide variety of styles, analysing music and have direct access to our wide range of Music Technology equipment both in our dedicated Apple Mac computer suite and recording studio.

Key topics and projects

Year 7 students begin by investigating ‘What Makes a Good Song’. This brings their own love of music into the classroom and leads onto an original composition using Logic Pro X software on the Apple Mac computers. The Spring term delves into orchestral instruments and allows the students to gain a ‘hands on’ approach into the various instrumental families.

These lessons allow our team of dedicated visiting instrumental teachers to demonstrate their individual expertise and give our students an insight into the technical and practical demands of performing. As a way to celebrate the summer students engage in the wonderful and exciting world of Samba. As well as learning pieces on traditional drums, they get to understand the social aspects of this incredible culture through listening and analysis. In Year 8 students access a broader range of musical styles, such as Music for Film, Reggae and Jazz. Each topic incorporates performance and composition and it is clear to see the development and transformation of every student’s musical ability. By the end of Key Stage 3, Year 9 students have been immersed in all musical styles and are able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the history and social development of music in a number of ways. With the continuous development of music theory throughout the key stages, all students are in a strong position to continue their studies with confidence at GCSE level.

RHS Learner Qualities

Our music students are nurtured throughout the course. We help them become critical thinkers; independent and responsible as they develop musical skills to make connections between cultures, styles and techniques. Students develop their communication skills through performance and composition which is highlighted throughout the year in many of the 35 concerts produced annually.

Co-curricular

Music opportunities at RHS are broad and varied – there is something for everyone! Here are a few of the ensembles currently available: — Chamber Choir, V20 Choir, Polyphony Choir,

Vocalise Choir — Orchestra — Concert Band, Jazz Band — Chamber Groups, String Orchestra — ‘Gig Night’ Bands (Pop & Rock) — Brass Ensemble — Percussion Ensemble — Music Theory Club, Song Writing Club — Whole-School Productions