Overview
Music is an integral part of the human condition and is essential to the well-rounded education of all children.
Not only is it intellectually satisfying, but as an art form, it engenders concentration, teamwork, individual confidence, self-discipline and creativity.
The aim of the music department is to provide all students with a wide range of music making experiences in both curricular and extracurricular activities. Everything in our music curriculum is geared towards taking pupils as far towards becoming practising musicians as possible.
Musically, pupils should be able to confidently read treble clef notation by the time they leave music, have experience of singing and playing instruments, be able to aurally recognise musical styles and their features, be able to compose coherently.
All students are encouraged regardless of their ability and there are many opportunities available for involvement both in and out of the classroom.
We provide a positive, inclusive environment where students can develop their imagination, self-esteem and teamwork skills.
Instrumental Lessons at FSD
If you wish to sign up for lessons, click here.
Instrumental lessons offer so much more than simply learning to play – they build confidence, develop musical skills, and provide opportunities for teamwork through ensemble playing. Aside from the musical benefits, students who learn an instrument also benefit from performing in concerts within school, taking part in trips and events outside school, and joining ensembles and choirs with their peers.
Students of any age and experience level are very welcome and you can sign up for lessons by clicking here. Details of all the instruments available are in the videos below.
If at any stage cost is a concern, or you would like to organise a taster session before fully committing, please contact Mr Lamb directly.
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Year 7 |
Content and skills |
How is it assessed? |
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Autumn term
THE BASICS |
Foundation concepts in music: rhythm and note notation, pitch and treble clef recognition, and polyphonic textures. Develop reading skills and performance confidence through singing and percussion instruments. Key Terms: Rhythm, Pitch, Texture, Dynamics, Tempo, Timbre |
Summative exam covering all terms and key words. |
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Spring term
AFRICAN DRUMMING |
African drumming traditions focusing on polyrhythmic patterns, layering, and call-and-response structures. Develop performance and composition skills through collaborative ensemble work. Key Terms: Polyrhythm, Rhythm, Call and Response, Layering, Improvisation |
Ongoing formative feedback on performances. |
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Summer term
NORTH EAST FOLK |
North East folk music traditions and harmonic analysis. Study cadential structures and develop arrangement and composition skills through folk-inspired work. Key Terms: Cadence, Perfect Cadence, Plagal Cadence, Harmony, Melody |
Ongoing formative feedback on whole class composition. End of year assessment covering all knowledge from September year 7. |
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Year 8 |
Content and skills |
How is it assessed? |
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Autumn term
PROGRAMME MUSIC |
Programme music: how composers depict ideas musically. Study motifs, ostinatos, and their use in orchestral works. Analyse and create original programme music compositions. Key Terms: Programme Music, Motif, Ostinato, Ternary Form, Rondo Form, |
Ongoing formative feedback on composition & performances.
Summative ensemble performance of composition. |
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Spring term
NOW! THAT’S WHAT I CALL MUSIC! |
Contemporary popular music analysis focusing on harmonic structure. Study chord inversions and their role in melody and arrangement across modern songs. Key Terms: Chord, Inversion, Melody, Harmony, Chord Progression |
Ongoing formative feedback on performances. |
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Summer term
THE BLUES |
Blues form, origins, and development. Study 12-bar progressions, bass lines, improvisation techniques, and the blues scale in performance. Key Terms: 12 Bar Blues, Improvisation, Bass Line, Blues Scale, Chord Progression, Harmony, Syncopation |
Ongoing formative feedback on performances.
End of year assessment covering all knowledge from September year 7.
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Year 9 |
Content and skills |
How is it assessed? |
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Autumn term
THEME & VARIATIONS |
Theme and variation form through orchestral works. Study compositional variation techniques, minor key changes, and create original variations on given themes. Key Terms: Theme, Variation, Minor Key, Non-Chord Note, Passing Note, Auxiliary Note, Drone, Round, Duet, Octaves, Counter Melody, Inversion, Augmentation, Diminution, Ornamentation |
Ongoing formative feedback on theme & variation composition.
Summative assessment of written (and performed) composition. |
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Spring term
RAYE |
Contemporary vocal music: melody and performance analysis. Study unison textures, syncopation, bass lines, and develop performance and analytical skills. Key Terms: Unison, Syncopation, Melody, Bass Line, Texture, Rhythm, Harmony |
Ongoing formative feedback on analysis and performance.
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Summer term
MINIMALISM |
Minimalist composition techniques: ostinatos, phasing patterns, and layering effects. Analyse minimalist works and create original pieces using repetition-based techniques. Key Terms: Ostinato, Phasing, Layering, Minimalism, Pattern, Metamorphosis, Arpeggiation, Note Addition. |
Ongoing formative feedback on composition.
End of year assessment covering all knowledge from September year 7.
Summative assessment of composition. |
Here is the link to our exam specification:
Pearson/ Edexcel GCSE Music
Edexcel GCSE Music (2016) | Pearson qualifications
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/music-2016.html
Here is the link to our exam specification:
Pearson/ Edexcel A Level Music
Edexcel A level Music (2016) | Pearson qualifications
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/music-2016.html