Music

Why do we study Music?

Music education opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around them - a world of work, culture, intellectual activity, and human involvement.
- Gerald R. Ford

Practical music making is at the heart of every music lesson at Mangotsfield School. Our vision is to demonstrate passion and enjoyment in music to encourage every child to love learning, and love music.

Through music, students develop a wide range of linguistic and logical skills, as well as developing their confidence, resilience and empathy through performance and creativity through sound.

We love for students to be excited, enthusiastic and energetic when they arrive in their music classroom. We wish to embrace that excitement, and give them the opportunity to apply all of their knowledge through practical performance.

Meet the team

• Ms Leah West (Head of Music) 

KS3 Programme of Study

Year 7

Term 1: Rhythm - West African Drumming

Term 2: Harmony - Finding Your Voice

Term 3: Pitch - Boomwhackers and Xylophones

Term 4: Melody - Keyboards

Term 5: Instrumentation: Instruments of the Orchestra

Term 6: Technology: Video Games & Advert Music

Year 8

Term 1: Harmony: Keyboard Chords

Term 2: Harmony: Ukulele

Term 3: Sonority: 21st Century Music

Term 4: Instrumentation: Film Music

Term 5: Structure: Parodies

Term 6: Rhythm: Caribbean Music

Year 9

Term 1: Just Play: Guitar

Term 2: Just Play: Whole Class Workshopping: Band Skills

Term 3: Just Play: Band Skills: Cover Songs

Term 4: Technology: Hiphop/Grime/Drill

Term 5: Songwriting

Term 6: Battle of the Bands

Course: Rock School Ltd. Level 2 Certificate Music Practitioners

Students can choose either a ‘Technology & Composition’ or a ‘Performance’ pathway, depending on their strengths.

Technology & Composition Pathway

This course entails students learning how to compose their own music through the use of a Digital Audio Workstation (such as Logic Pro or GarageBand). They then develop a range of pieces of music, demonstrating their ability to use technology to manipulate and edit sounds in order to become a creative piece of music, in a style of their choice. This pathway leads well to the Level 3 Music Practitioner course, or A Level Music Technology. If students also commit to developing their theoretical knowledge of notation and reading music, this also leads well to the A Level Music course.

Performance Pathway

This course entails students developing their instrumental skills on their choice of instrument. They spend the first year developing and reflecting upon their skills within their instrument, and building a repertoire of their music. This then leads well into their final year, where they perform a 10-15 minute recital in front of an audience. This pathway leads well to the Level 3 Music Practitioner Course or any Level 3 Performance Course. If students also commit to developing their theoretical knowledge of notation and reading music, this also leads well to the A Level Music course.

The RSL Music Practitioner course has no final written exam, and is built around a portfolio across the two years. There is an external assessment in the 2nd year which will be marked externally, but there will be no exam.

GCSE Programme of Study

Year 10

Term 1-6: Music Knowledge Development
Term 1-6: Instrumental Study OR Composing Music

Year 11

Term 1-4: Live Music Performance OR Technology and Composition

Resources

Two classrooms fully equipped with keyboards
Music computer suite using Soundtrap A KS3 and Cubase at KS3
Whole class set of Ukuleles and Guitars
Whole class set of Djembe Drums and percussion 
5 Practice Rooms equipped with a Drum kit and Piano each
A full range of orchestral instruments for hire
Musical Futures Online
Little Kids Rock
No specific textbooks. Mangotsfield School Resources.

Homework

KS3 Homework is based heavily around literacy and music in order to build a solid understanding of the terminology in music, and how we can talk about music. Blogs, articles and pieces of writing are used for students to interpret across a wide range of styles, composers and performers.

KS4 Homework is based around instrumental practice and portfolio work.

Enrichment Opportunities in Music

There are a wide variety of extra curricular activities run by the Creative Arts Department.

Lunchtime: Practice Room bookings available to practice independently and in groups.

After School:

Choir
Guitar Group
Music Leaders
After school practice room booking

Trips and Visits:

Regular connections with Further Education such as visits to and from UWE and BIMM.
Trips to Bristol Hippodrome to see musicals
Visits to primary schools to build our musical community!
Building partnerships with art and BS16 community art trail through performance.