Music
Curriculum Intent
Our music curriculum is designed to inspire students to develop a love of music. Through participation, students will increase creativity, self confidence, sense of achievement and knowledge as well as nurturing musical talent.
The department aims to open up a world of music to all students and regularly stages performances and productions as well as providing music for school and community events. Throughout their school careers, Crawshaw students can get involved with music-making through various ensembles/choirs and are able to study music through to GCSE. In addition to classroom-led lessons, a team of peripatetic instrumental/vocal tutors delivers tuition on a weekly basis in the school.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
Our carefully sequenced curriculum is structured through performing, composing and listening (understanding music) to help pupils progress over time. Our curriculum is ambitious and is adapted accordingly to meet the needs of all students.
Students will perform, listen to and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions including the works of the great composers and musicians.
Students will create and compose music on their own and with others, have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of excellence.
Students will understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated including through the interrelated dimensions: dynamic, rhythm, pitch, structure, melody, tempo, timbre/sonority, texture, harmony and appropriate musical notations.
Key Stage Assessment
Skills are assessed through practical performing and composing (ie keyboard performances from notation, performing in an ensemble on voice/ukelele/guitar/drums/keyboard, improvisation over 12 Bar Blues, composing and performing bassline and chords).
Listening skills are assessed through regular listening quizzes both online and in person.
Questioning to check understanding, formal and informal feedback, opportunities to react to feedback, assessment/evaluation of work and the work of others are also regularly use dto assess progress.
Key Stage 4
AQA GCSE Music
30% NEA Performing (solo and group)
30% NEA Composing (two compositions)
40% Understanding Music (written/listening exam)
Enrichment
We encourage our students to be involved in extra curricular activities.
These include choirs, rock club, keyboard club and chamber orchestra as well as ongoing rehearsals for major performances.
There are numerous opportunities for students to participate in academy performances and concerts every half term.
Examples include X Factor, Christmas concert, Festival of Voice, Summer concert, Showcase, assemblies, open days and lunchtime performance events. In addition, the Performance faculty also regularly stages a full-scale academy play and musical.
Our choirs perform to a high standard and are increasingly being invited to perform at prestigious venues such as Harewood house.
The music department are pleased to be associated with the popular Leeds Lieder project as well as being involved in the Red Kite Alliance choir.
In addition, staff organise visits to the theatre as well as workshops with leading practitioners.
Musicians can be entered for external music exams (ABRSM, Trinity, Rock School, LCM) and have experienced great success. The faculty works closely with local primary schools.