Staff
Director of Music – Mrs A Embrey (BMus Hons)
Teacher of Prep Music and Piano/Theory – Mrs J Harcourt
Peripatetic Staff
Mr Mark Burton – Woodwind & Piano
Ms Faye McLachlan – Flute
Mr Philip Bennett – Drums
Mr Andrew Macdonald – Brass
Mrs Ali – Strings
Mr Nick Waddecar – Guitar
Mr Mike Barnes – Guitar and Drums
Ms Rachel Waters – Voice
Through the study of music from diverse times and places, we aim to provide students of all musical abilities with the opportunity to develop their core musical skills of performing, composing and listening in an environment which is enjoyable and stimulating.
Kindergarten have one music lesson a week for 30 minutes. Reception class have two lessons. This is a very practical lesson with lots of singing and instrumental work.They do a lot of seasonal songs and action songs.
Prep 1 and 2 have half an hour a week. We do lots of instrumental and singing. They also start to learn basic music notation and playing to a beat. Also a lot of action songs.
Prep 3, 4 and 5 have 45 minutes each. They continue to develop their musical skills through singing and instrumental work. They learn to follow basic music notation. They also do different composer topics each term.
All prep children perform at Harvest and Christmas concerts.
KS3
In years 7-9 pupils follow a syllabus based on the National Curriculum which has been devised to cater for a wide range of musical ability within individual classes. An awareness of different musical styles and listening skills are developed through the study both of well-known works and music from different cultures. Composing, either through improvising pieces or writing them down, is also an essential part of the curriculum.
KS4
At GCSE we follow the AQA specification which allows for considerable development of practical musicianship skills such as performance and composition.
| Understanding Music |
| What’s assessed? Listening and Contextual understanding |
| How it’s assessed? Exam paper with listening exercises and written questions using excerpts of music. |
| Questions
· Section A: Listening – unfamiliar music (68 marks) · Section B: Study pieces (28 marks) The exam is 1 hour and 30 minutes. This component is worth 40% of GCSE marks (96 marks). |
| Component 2: Performing music |
| What’s assessed? Music performance |
| How it’s assessed? As an instrumentalist and/or vocalist and/or via technology:
· Performance 1: Solo performance (36 marks) · Performance 2: Ensemble performance (36 marks). |
| A minimum of four minutes of performance in total is required, of which a minimum of one minute must be the ensemble performance.
This component is 30% of GCSE marks (72 marks). Non-exam assessment (NEA) will be internally marked by teachers and externally moderated by AQA. Performances must be completed in the year of certification. |
| Component 3: Composing music |
| What’s assessed
Composition |
| How it’s assessed
· Composition 1: Composition to a brief (36 marks) · Composition 2: Free composition (36 marks). |
| A minimum of three minutes of music in total is required.
This component is 30% of GCSE marks (72 marks). Non-exam assessment (NEA) will be internally marked by teachers and externally moderated by AQA. |
Extra Curricular
There are many groups you can join at Bridgwater School if you want to perform Music: Senior Vocal Group, Ukulelians, Instrumental Ensemble, show band for school productions and smaller ensembles. At the younger end of the school there are lunchtime clubs for recorders, choir and a fusion group made up of various instruments. To be in choir the children are auditioned. Those wishing to play the recorder need to be able to read music. Fusion are from pre grade 1 upwards. These lunchtime groups perform at Prizegiving, Christmas concerts, and the Music Showcase.
