Music
Music Department
HoD: Mr S Cuddy
Subjects Offered
Music GCSE
Music A Level (CCEA Modular)
Currently the Department offers tuition in the following instruments:
- Strings (Upper and lower)
- Woodwind
- Brass
- Drum-kit
- Bagpipes and drums
- Tin whistle
- Voice (Classical and Musical Theatre)
- Piano
- Guitar (acoustic, electric and bass)
- This tuition is provided at a cost to the parents and is available to any child wishing to continue or start tuition on a musical instrument.
Curriculum
Our focus in Year 8 is on learning the main elements of Music through composing, performing and listening. The main topics studied are pulse; ostinato; folk music; Carnival of the Animals; and music for strings and percussion. We also learn some of the basic recording and editing techniques of Garageband.
Year 9
In Year 9 we continue to develop skills in composing, performing and listening in the topics of mood music; Christmas carols; fanfare; radio ads; and music for brass and woodwind.
Year 10
The focus on Year 10 is on Use of ICT in Music. Pupils continue to develop their skills in the use of Garageband as well as learn how to notate their compositions on Sibelius. They study Blues music, Irish and Scottish traditional music and then complete a film music project which includes composing their own soundtrack for a video clip. Our work at Year 10 should help to prepare pupils for GCSE Music.
Performing (35%)
Solo and Group Performance on voice or the pupil’s chosen instrument.
Composing (30%)
Two compositions lasting between 4-6 minutes. Pupils can choose to record these compositions using Garageband or Sibelius.
Listening (35%)
Set Works and General Listening from a range of musical sources. There is a wide range of styles – from Classical Music to Pop Music or from Irish traditional to Film Music.
Performing (AS 1: 35% of AS)
Solo performance on the candidate’s chosen instrument or voice.
Viva voce (discussion with the examiner about the pupil’s programme)
Composing (AS 2: 35% of AS)
- A Composition task
- Written commentary
Responding to Music (AS 3: 30% of AS)
Two external written examinations based on set works pupils have studied and some unseen music extracts.
- Test of aural perception (listening) (15%)
- Written examination (15%)
A2 level follows a similar structure to AS with some minor alterations. These are:
- Performance will be at a higher standard (minimum Grade 6 or equivalent)
- Composition will be longer (3-4 mins compared to 2-3 mins at AS level)
- The Listening and Score Analysis will include more complex features and also more sophisticated 20th Century harmony.
- Junior Choir
- Senior Choir
- Chamber Choir
- Royal Strings
- RSD Wind Band
- String Quartet
- RSD Pipe Band
- Biennial School Musical Production
All the above ensembles rehearse on a weekly basis either at lunchtimes or after school. Everyone is encouraged to participate no matter what their musical background is.
Performance Opportunities include:
- Prize Day
- Christmas Concert
- School Carol Service
- Performances in local Residential Homes
- Dungannon Festival of Music
- Portadown Festival of Music
- Radio Ulster Choir of the Year
- Spring Concert
The department also arrange trips to hear the Ulster Orchestra in Belfast at least once a year.
Music News Articles
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