Why do we learn music?
Music is an integral part of everyday life, at APA we believe that music is a subject for everyone and therefore are completely inclusive in our approach.
Students are challenged in all lessons to be able to demonstrate understanding and creativity through performance, composition, through collaboration with their peers and through evaluation of their own work.
Music has been proven to have many benefits for young people. Not only does it develop teamwork skills, as students often work within groups, it also develops creativity, problem solving skills and develops emotional intelligence, Self-Discipline and Responsibility, Adaptability, Perseverance, Memory and Concentration, Communication, Openness to Feedback and Confidence. Music can have a significant impact on emotions and can help relieve stress and anxiety.
Head of Department
Mr L Beveridge
Year 7
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
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Find Your Voice Students will enhance their vocal abilities by exploring various songs, focusing on singing techniques and building confidence. |
Piano 101: Introduction to the Piano Students will be introduced to fundamental piano techniques, gaining an understanding of basic playing skills and musical notation. |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
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Steel Pan Alley Students will develop instrumental proficiency by learning and performing music on the steel pans, focusing on rhythm, coordination, and ensemble skills. |
Music Tech 101 Students will explore the basics of music production using Logic, gaining hands-on experience with recording, editing, and arranging digital music. |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
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Band Musicianship: 4-Chord Songs Students will form bands to perform songs using instruments such as guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and ukulele, while focusing on chord progressions and teamwork. |
Band Musicianship: 4-Chord Songs Students will form bands to perform songs using instruments such as guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and ukulele, while focusing on chord progressions and teamwork. |
Year 8
| Autumn Term 1 | Autumn Term 2 |
|---|---|
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West African Drumming Students will explore the conventions and techniques of djembe drumming, focusing on rhythm patterns and group performance. They will learn to follow signals from the master drummer, enhancing their ability to communicate and perform as part of an ensemble. |
In The Hall of the Mountain King: Grieg Students will develop their piano skills and technique by performing the famous piece by Edvard Grieg, focusing on dynamics and expressive playing. |
| Spring Term 1 | Spring Term 2 |
|---|---|
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Classical Arrangements Students will enhance their understanding of tonality and piano technique by rearranging classical works, exploring harmony, melody, and structure. |
Beats and Loops: Music Tech Students will refine their music technology skills, learning how to create and manipulate beats and loops using music software. |
| Summer Term | ||
|---|---|---|
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Band Musicianship: The Blues
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Year 9
| Autumn Term | ||
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| Spring Term | |
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Film Music Students will explore the significance of film music by playing famous leitmotifs and using technology to compose their own underscore for a scene. They will learn how music can shape mood, tension, and character development in film. |
| Summer Term | |
|---|---|
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Song Writing Students will apply their skills from Key Stage 3 to compose and perform their own original music, focusing on lyric writing, melody creation, and arrangement techniques. |
Year 10
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| Transition Unit: A foundation keyboard skills and harmony course | Establishing and developing a chord sequence |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Writing a melody to fit your chords | Choosing a genre, choosing sonorities and refining your chords & melody |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Creating and developing idiomatic basslines and beats | Creating countermelodies, developing texture and applying finishing touches |
Year 11
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| Establishing and developing a chord sequence | Writing and developing a melody to fit your chords |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Creating countermelodies, developing texture and applying finishing touches |
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| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Knowledge recall Application of knowledge Exam readiness | Knowledge recall Application of knowledge Exam readiness |