Music
Intent:
To develop learners who can:
- Work well with others
- Work independently to improve skills via determination and problem solving
- Use creative skills
- Appreciate a wide range of diverse musical styles
Implementation:
- A curriculum which implements the key skills of listening, performing and composing
- A curriculum that gives pupils a wide range of musical experiences
- A practical based curriculum, focusing on group and individual skills
Impact:
- Pupils who are able to join higher education or the workforce with creative skills, independence, and the ability to work with and lead others
- Pupils who can appreciate and understand different cultures and how music has evolved
- Confident pupils who are resilient and able to break through challenges
Approach to Teaching
Music is taught to all pupils in KS3 for one hour a week and five hours a fortnight in KS4. The music curriculum is aimed towards developing a variety of practical skills within the context of a musical style, device or genre. Pupils are encouraged to work independently to refine their skills but also collaborate and contribute to create confident group performances and compositions. Pupils receive regular verbal and written feedback as well as being encouraged to evaluate their own work and others. Group work, perseverance and development of self-confidence are skills transferable across other subjects.
The music department has a rich extra-curricular programme including choir, band, flute ensemble, samba and music theory classes. Pupils perform regularly in school celebrations as well as partaking in city wide events. Pupils contribute musically to the spiritual life of the school through assembly music and music for masses. In September 2018, pupils travelled to London and performed a fantastic concert in Covent Garden. The music department work closely with the other performing arts subjects throughout the school year culminating in a successful, professional school production each summer.
We have a strong and committed team of peripatetic teachers offering lessons in most instruments. Pupils receive individual 20 minute lessons per week throughout each term.
STEMunity Waterloo Station
STEMunity Parliament
STEMunity 2025
Choir Trip to Parliament
Key Stage 3 (Year 7-9)
Year 7:
Who Knows?, Rhythm, Keyboard Skills, Singing Monsters The Elements of Music, Variations, Film Music, Samba, RaiseYour Voice.
Year 8:
Bass Riffs, Chords, African Drumming, Sea Shanties, Pachelbel’s Canon, Reggae, Film Music.
Year 9:
Recycling, Blues Music, Music For Adverts, Video Game Music, Blinding Lights, Dance Music.
Key Stage 4 (Year 10-11)
- Performing
- In this unit you have to perform 2 or more pieces of music lasting a minimum of 4 minutes
- One performance is a SOLO, one is an ENSEMBLE
- The performance can be on any instrument and in any style.
- Composing Music
30% of final mark
- You will compose 2 pieces of music lasting a minimum of 3 minutes
- One composition will be in response to a set brief based on one Area of Study.
- One composition is a free choice.
- For each composition you have to produce a recording (live or electronic), a score and programme notes.
- Listening & Appraising
- Listening exam taken at the end of Year 11
- 1 hour 30 minutes, 6 listening questions based on the set works and 1 extended response question.
- Instrumental Music 1700-1820
- Vocal Music
- Music For Stage & Screen
- Fusions
Music For Youth
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We Compose Pupils in Year 9 and 10 are taking part in an exciting project called ‘We Compose’. Pupils visited Portsmouth Guildhall to watch a concert by a professional string quartet to introduce them to four key pieces of music. Pupils have since drawn inspiration from these pieces to compose their own pieces of music. Pupils have been visited by professional composers to guide their composing work. The culmination of the project will be in June 2025 when professional musicians will perform the music the students have written in a concert at Portsmouth Guildhall. This is a brilliant opportunity for pupils to work collaboratively and develop their composition skills, for some in preparation for Key Stage four music courses.
Music For Youth Performance at The Royal Albert Hall
The journey to Music For Youth Festival began back in January with pupils rehearsing songs for a regional audition in Surrey. Pupils formed part of the ‘Cross Keys’ choir alongside pupils form St John’s Cathedral Primary School. Pupils rose to the challenge of not only learning the songs and harmonies but also learning British Sign Language to accompany the songs adding a powerful element to their performance. After a successful audition, pupils travelled to Birmingham Symphony Hall for the next stage – national auditions. Out of 73 groups who auditioned that day, Cross Keys were delighted to be selected to perform at the Music For Youth Prom held annually at The Royal Albert Hall in London. After many more rehearsals, on Wednesday 27th November the pupils travelled to London for the final performance. As well as their own performance pupils rehearsed on the day with almost 1000 young musicians and singer to perform a world premiere of the piece ‘All Things Constant’ by ‘Cassie Kinoshi‘ and the finale of ‘Earth’ by film composer Hans Zimmer. Cross Keys then performed their two songs, ‘One World’ and ‘Changemaker’ sending a powerful message to the audience about our responsibility to look after our planet. The pupils were not daunted by the vast 5000 seat auditorium and sang with confidence and passion, we could have not been any prouder of them. The Daily Telegraph reported that the theme of the performance was ‘expressed with touching fervour’. Stephen Morgan MP said he was ‘super proud of Portsmouth children, an incredible event which inspires a generation of creativity’. I cannot express my immense pride in these pupils, your commitment and enthusiasm has been outstanding and an absolute credit to St Edmund’s and Portsmouth. Well done! Cross Keys Performance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjvkxOlGSEk |
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Instrumental Lessons at St Edmund's
Instrumental lessons are offered weekly for pupils for Woodwind, Brass, Guitar (electric/acoustic/bass), Drum Kit, Piano. Strings and Voice.
Lessons are charged at £90 per term for 10 individual lessons.
Pupils can collect a letter from Mrs Toogood in room 139 or download above to sign up for lessons. Reply slips must be returned by Wednesday 15th September.
Any enquiries, please contact carolyn.toogood@saintedmunds.org.uk
Portsmouth Music Hub
Portsmouth Music Hub is an active network of organisations working in partnership and committed to enhancing music and music education in and around Portsmouth.
Click on the link below to view the Portsmouth Music Hub website:
