Ancient Roots
Using ancient Greece as the focus, pupils will develop their sense of pulse and metre, learning how to read, write, perform and compose ostinato-based rhythms in an ensemble using a variety of percussion instruments. To be assessed through recorded group compositions and performances, as well as paired compositions using music technology and a written review of learning.
Strike a Chord
Focusing on the ukulele, pupils will learn the technical skills required to play chords on a fretted instrument and apply this to the popular song ‘Riptide’, culminating in a whole class performance of the song. They will also learn about forming triads and song structure through music technology. To be assessed through recorded whole class performances, as well as paired arrangement tasks using music technology and an end of term test.
Ode to Joy
Focusing exclusively on the seminal piece by Beethoven, all pupils will learn how to play the classical piece Ode to Joy on keyboards by reading pitch on the treble clef (also utilising previous knowledge on rhythm reading), learning and developing correct keyboard and 5-finger technique. They will also learn how to use the free music notation software MuseScore (downloadable on all devices) through arrangement tasks based on the piece. To be assessed through recorded individual keyboard performances, as well as paired arrangement tasks using music technology and a written review of learning.
Power of the Pentatonic
Touching on various cultures around the world, pupils will learn how to play the pentatonic scale, developing and structuring short musical ideas into fully fledged parts to be used in their own paired compositions. To be assessed through recorded paired compositions and performances, as well as paired compositions using music technology and a written review of learning.
Villains!
Using the medium of super villains, pupils will learn about the concept of leitmotifs through performing and composing, and how music can be used to enhance and alter the perception of characters and scenes. To be assessed through recorded individual or paired performances, as well as paired compositions using music technology and an and of year test.
Reggae
This unit will be an opportunity for pupils to be solely responsible for a specific role within a musical group and focus on developing ensemble skills as pupils practise fitting their part in with the rest of the ensemble. To be assessed through recorded group performances, as well as paired arrangement work using music technology and a written review of learning.