Sunday Times Secondary School of the Year 2023

St. Mary's Grammar School

Music

SPECIFIC AIMS OF THE DEPARTMENT

The Music Department aims to:

  • introduce pupils to a wide ranging repertoire of music that they can enjoy listening to;
  • encourage pupils to express their ideas with clarity and confidence;
  • develop pupils’ creativity through various Composing activities;
  • promote skills of negotiation, concentration and technical control of an instrument;
  • enable pupils to use ICT to create and perform music;
  • provide opportunities for pupils to perform and further develop their skills on keyboard and ukuele, tuned and untuned percussion;
  • provide pupils with opportunities to play in other ensembles; and
  • provide pupils with an insight into the career paths open to Music students.

OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM

At Key Stage 3, Music is delivered over two lessons per fortnight.
Pupils follow a taught programme in Music incorporating:

  • Performance
  • Composition
  • Listening/Appraising

YEAR 8 CURRICULUM

In Year 8, pupils study the following topics:

  • Ukulele
  • Class Singing
  • Building Bricks
  • Pulse and Rhythm
  • Folk Music
  • Cyclic Patterns/Ostinatos
  • Form and Structure
  • Sonority City
  • Introduction to Garageband

YEAR 9 CURRICULUM

In Year 9, pupils study the following topics:

  • Keyboard Skills
  • Ukulele Skills
  • Class Singing
  • Mood Music
  • Cartoon Music
  • All that Jazz
  • Saharan Sounds

YEAR 10 CURRICULUM

In Year 10, pupils study the following topics:

  • Keyboard Skills
  • Ukulele Skills
  • All about the Bass
  • Irish Traditional Music
  • Soundtracks
  • Hooks and Riffs

OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 4 CURRICULUM

At Key Stage 4, the Music Department offers Music at GCSE Level. Pupils follow the CCEA specification. Music is delivered over six lessons per fortnight.

 

Unit 1: Listening and Appraising (35%)
This unit aims to develop pupils’ understanding of music from different genres.
In this unit, pupils are required to study a number of set pieces in depth and acquire listening skills in order to answer questions on unfamiliar pieces of music.
This unit is assessed in the form of one listening and appraising examination papers. Pupils will have 90 minutes to complete the assessment for this unit. Assessment of this unit will take place at the end of Year 12.

Pupils’ work in this unit will be externally assessed.

 

Unit 2: Performing and Appraising (35%)
This unit aims to develop the performing skills of pupils. To access the top mark band, Pupils must perform music of Grade 3 standard in any instrument by the end of Year 12.
In this unit, pupils are required to perform one solo piece and one ensemble piece. Pupils are also required to engage in an assessed discussion with the examiner about their performance and pieces.
This unit is assessed in the form of a practical examination. Pupils will have 20 minutes to complete the assessment for this unit. Assessment of this unit will take place in April of Year 12. Pupils’ work in this unit will be externally assessed by a Visiting Examiner.

 

Unit 3: Composing and Appraising (30%)
This unit aims to develop pupils’ compositional skills.
In this unit, pupils are required to compose two pieces of music in any style/genre. One must be in response to the stimulus that CCEA release at the beginning of Year 12.
This unit is assessed in the form of Controlled Assessment. Pupils will have 25 hours to complete the assessment for this unit. Assessment of this unit will take place at the end of Year 12. Pupils’ work in this unit will be internally assessed and externally moderated.

OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 5 CURRICULUM

At Key Stage 5, the Music Department offers Music at AS and A2 Level. Students follow the CCEA specification. At AS and A2 Level, Music is delivered over eleven periods per fortnight.
At AS Level, students must successfully complete two modules. A further two modules must be successfully completed at A2 Level.

 

AS MUSIC

Unit 1: Performing (32.5% of AS, 13% of A level)
This unit aims to develop students’ practical skills. Students will develop knowledge, understanding, skills and sensitivity to music.
In this unit, students are required to take a practical examination where they must play for 5-7 minutes on a solo instrument or voice. To access the top mark band, students should perform at Grade 6 level. Students will also engage in a viva voce with the Visiting Examiner. This unit is assessed in the form of a practical exam, held in May.

 

Unit 2: Composition (32.5% of AS, 13% of A level)
Option A: Students must compose one piece of music. They may choose their own brief, compositional style and resources. They must submit their composition in the form of a recorded performance which may be lived or sequenced, with optional score. Students must submit their recording on audio CD. They must also submit an analytical and reflective written commentary.

Option B: This option involves responding to pre-release stimulus material. Students create an arrangement based on their choice of stimulus from the two provided in the pre-release stimulus material. Students use sequencing technology, multitrack recording technology or a combination of both to create their arrangement. Students must submit their recording on audio CD. They must also submit an analytical and reflective written commentary.
Students will work on their composition between January and April. The practical examination will take place in May of Year 13. Students’ work in this unit will be internally assessed and externally moderation.

 

Unit 3: Responding to Music 1 (35% of AS, 14% of A level)
In Unit AS 3, students must undertake three compulsory Areas of Study. These Areas of Study give students the opportunity to gain an awareness of the relationship between music and its context, including the influences that maintain continuity and cause change. .
In this unit, students are required to study a number of set works in depth.
Assessement for this unit consists of one aural examination (1 hour) and one written examination (2 hours). Both have short answer questions and extended writing questions. Assessment of this unit will take place at the end of Year 13. Students’ work in this unit will be externally assessed.

 

A2 MUSIC
Unit 1: Performing (19.5% of A level)
This unit aims to develop students’ practical skills. Students will develop knowledge, understanding, skills and sensitivity to music.
In this unit, students are required to take a practical examination where they must play for 8-10 minutes on a solo instrument or voice. To access the top mark band, students should perform at Grade 7 level. Students will also engage in a viva voce with the Visiting Examiner. This unit is assessed in the form of a practical exam, held in May.


Unit 2: Composition (19.5% of A level)
Option A: Students must compose one piece of music. They may choose their own brief, compositional style and resources. They must submit their composition in the form of a recorded performance which may be lived or sequenced, with optional score. Students must submit their recording on audio CD. They must also submit an analytical and reflective written commentary.

Option B: This option involves responding to pre-release stimulus material. Students create an arrangement based on their choice of stimulus from the two provided in the pre-release stimulus material. Students use sequencing technology, multitrack recording technology or a combination of both to create their arrangement. Students must submit their recording on audio CD. They must also submit an analytical and reflective written commentary.
Students will work on their composition between January and April. The practical examination will take place in May of Year 14. Students’ work in this unit will be internally assessed and externally moderation..

Unit 3: Responding to Music 1 (21% of A level)
In Unit AS 3, students must undertake three compulsory Areas of Study. These Areas of Study give students the opportunity to gain an awareness of the relationship between music and its context, including the influences that maintain continuity and cause change. .
In this unit, students are required to study a number of set works in depth.
Assessment for this unit consists of one aural examination (1 hour 15 mins) and one written examination (2 hours). Both have short answer questions and extended writing questions. Assessment of this unit will take place at the end of Year 14. Students’ work in this unit will be externally assessed.

ADDITIONAL SUBJECT INFORMATION

EXTRA- CURRICULAR PROVISION
The Music Department contributes extensively to the school’s extra-curricular provision. Extra-curricular activities include:

  • Junior and Senior Choir
  • Orchestra
  • Junior and Advanced Traditional Groups
  • String Quartet
  • Ukulele Ensemble
  • School Masses
  • Carol Service
  • Spring Concert
  • School Musicals
  • Local Festivals
  • National Festivals

 

PERIPATETIC TUITION

The Music Department offers instrumental tuition in a wide range of instruments/ voice. There are nine peripatetic tutors who offer tuition on a weekly basis:

  • Strings: Mrs C. Mullan*, Mrs S. McConnell*
  • Woodwind: Mrs L. Stewart*
  • Brass: Mr D. Tohill*
  • Piano: Mrs S. Brookman
  • Voice: Mrs L. Henry
  • Guitar: Mr N. McCague
  • Percussion: Mr S. McKernan

*NEELB Tutors

 

CAREERS INFORMATION

Many students from St. Mary’s go on to study Music in Higher Education establishments throughout Ireland and the UK.

Queen’s University, Belfast and University of Ulster (Magee Campus) both offer three year BMus courses. Queen’s University, Belfast also offer BA courses in; Music and Audio Production, Music and Sound Design, Music Performance

  • Queen's University Belfast 
  • University of Ulster

Many students also gain places to study for a BEd at St. Mary’s University College.

  • St. Mary's University College Belfast