music

Extra-curricular activities include Orchestra, Junior and Senior Choirs, String Ensemble, Wind Band, Jazz Group and Barbershop Group. There is usually at least one concert per term and a joint concert during the year with Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School, and Tunbridge Wells Boys’ Grammar School. In alternate years we take part in the Christmas 'Messiah' at the Royal Albert Hall with the RPO.

The 2009-10 Music events calendar is available here.

A team of eighteen visiting teachers is able to provide individual lessons on the orchestral instruments, guitar (rock and classical), singing, keyboard and piano. School instruments are available for hire to beginners for a nominal fee.

An online application form for music lessons will appear here shortly. In the meantime information and a copy can be downloaded here.

Where appropriate, pupils are encouraged to enter Associated Board, Guildhall or Trinity grade exams, as a gauge of their progress. The certificates gained are useful additional qualifications when it comes to university entrance or employer’s C.V.s and the higher grades are now validated as such by QCA and attract university entrance UCAS points.

Music is a National Curriculum subject for all pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9, after which it becomes optional for GCSE in Years 10 & 11 and ‘AS’ and A2 levels in the Sixth Form.

New music specification for year 10 starting September 2009

 

GCSE Music 4270

 

Unit 1: Listening to and Appraising Music 42701

Written Paper – 1 hour – 80 marks – 20%

 

a) The Western Classical Tradition:

Baroque orchestral music

The concerto

Music for voices

Chamber music

The sonata

b) Popular Music of the 20th & 21st centuries:

Blues

Popular music of the 1960s

Rock music, R’n’B (Rhythm and Bass), Hip-Hop

Music Theatre

Film music

c) World Music:

Music of the Caribbean

Music of Africa

Music of India

 

Unit 2: Composing and Appraising Music 42702

Externally assessed – 40 marks – 20%

 

Candidates are required to compose one piece of music and must choose two or more of the five

Areas of Study. There must be a link to one of the three Strands, which will be announced annually

by AQA (10%). Candidates have up to 20 hours of Supervised Time in which to complete the composition, under informal supervision.

B. Candidates appraise the process and the outcome of the composition in relation to the Areas of Study

and indicate the link to the chosen Strand (10%).

 

Unit 3: Performing Music 42703

Controlled Assessment – 60 marks – 40%

 

Candidates perform individually or through ICT and as part of a group. Each candidate should perform two different pieces:

a) one for ‘Individual Performance’/Technology based performance, lasting no more than five minutes.

b) one for ‘Group Performance’, lasting no more than five minutes.

 

Unit 4: Composing Music 42704

Controlled Assessment – 30 marks – 20%

Candidates are required to compose one piece of music which explores two or more of the five Areas

of Study. This may be in any style or genre of the candidate’s choosing.

 

AS/A2 - AQA 1271 (AS)/2271 (A2)

The course available in the Sixth Form will lead to AS and A2 level examinations.

A grade A or B in Music at GCSE is recommended, together with the ability to perform on at least one instrument (the voice can count as an instrument). A good ear, a flair for composition and a wide interest in different musical styles are expected.