Music

At Mossbourne Community Academy we believe that music should impact on the lives of all pupils in a positive way. Our dynamic department aims to deliver a multifaceted curriculum through which learners can take a number of different routes, enabling them to maximise their potential. This year...

87% of students achieved A* to C in GCSE Music

67% of students achieved A to D in AS Music

100% of students achieved A to C in A2 Music

100% of students achieved A to C in AS Music Technology

We are committed to innovation within the classroom and strive to promote the music of the diverse communities that London schools serve by providing children with engaging practical experiences; for it is through success and enjoyment that we hope children will feel empowered to want to learn.

Assessment is embedded into the infrastructure of schemes of work, enabling us to personalise learning to meet the needs of all pupils in our care, making achievement and progress visible to both the children and their parents and carers.

Music has the facility to allow every child to be proud of their involvement.

Our extensive enrichment programme offers pupils the opportunity to further their musical learning both within school and through links with external organisations (such as LSO, EPOC, HMS) and the wider community.

People

Mrs C Barker - Head of Expressive Arts	Mr B Reeve - Head of KS4 Music	Miss S Denton - Music Teacher + Leader of Scholars programme
Mr A Kinnair - Music Teacher	Mr M Watson - Music Teacher	Miss S Parish - Music Admin

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Key Stage 3

The key stage 3 curriculum for music aims to improve students' skills in performing, listening and appraising. This is achieved through varied schemes of work that impact on these skills in different ways, ensuring a broad, stimulating curriculum that is both challenging and enjoyable.

 

YEAR 7 UNITS:

Skills & Resources - Contrasts - Samba - African Drumming - Hip Hop - Melody

 

YEAR 8 UNITS:

Fakin' it (basic instrumental skills) - Reggae - Stories and Cartoons - Cover Versions - Music and Media - Carnival of the Animals

 

YEAR 9 UNITS:

Blues - Jazz - Remix - Songwriting - Film Music - Ensemble Performing - GCSE taster lessons

 

Key Stage 4 - GCSE (Edexcel)

Mossbourne follows the Edexcel GCSE specification. The course is divided into 3 parts comprising of 60% coursework, 40% exam.

 

COMPOSITION: Students must compose 2 compositions over the 2-year course

 

PERFORMANCE: Students must record a SOLO performance and an ENSEMBLE performance over the 2-year course

 

APPRAISING: Students will sit a 90-minute listening paper on 12 set works studied throughout the course

 

The set works are based around 4 Areas of study - Classical Music, 20th Century Music, Popular Music, World Music.

 

To view the Edexcel specification click on this link: Edexcel GCSE Music

 

- GCSE Music is an extremely popular option subject, with around 80 children currently on the course.

 

Key Stage 5 - AS/A2 Level (Edexcel)

Mossbourne follows the Edexcel specification at AS and A2. In both years, the course is divided into 3 parts comprising of 60% coursework, 40% exam.

 

AS MUSIC

 

COMPOSITION: Students must compose 1 composition, alongside a CD sleeve where they explain how they have composed their piece. The exam board offer four briefs to choose from each year, reflecting the instrumental and vocal music studied over the course.

 

PERFORMANCE: Students must record a performance of 6 minutes length, in either a group or as a soloist. The suggested standard at this level should be of Grade 6 ABRSM, although this is not a compulsory requirement.

 

APPRAISING: Students will sit a 90-minute examination paper on 10 set works studied throughout the course, featuring listening questions and two essays.  The set works feature both instrumental and vocal music from across Music History. They will also be examined on their understanding of Music harmony.

 

MUSIC A2

 

COMPOSITION: Students must compose 2 compositions in the second year. The exam board offer four briefs to choose from each year, reflecting the instrumental and applied music studied over the course. Alternatively, students can opt to compose technical studies choosing from: a Bach Chorale, Figured Bass exercise or Pop Song arrangement. 

 

PERFORMANCE: Students must record a performance of 12 minutes length, in either a group or as a soloist. The suggested standard at this level should be of Grade 7 ABRSM, although this is not a compulsory requirement.

 

APPRASING: Students will sit a 90-minute examination paper, featuring listening questions on any area of music and three essays on the set works that they have studied.  The set works feature both instrumental and applied music from across Music History.

 

To view the Edexcel specification click on this link: Edexcel Music AS/A2

 

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY

 

AS Music Tech = 70% portfolio, 30% exam                            

 

- Portfolio consists of:  Sequenced Realised Performance    

                                         Multi-track Recording                                                                 

                                         Creative Sequenced Arrangement                                             

                                         Logbook for these tasks                                                     

 

A2 Music Tech = 60% Portfolio, 40% Analysing + Producing and production tasks under controlled conditions

 

- Portfolio consists of:  Sequenced Realised Performance 

                                         Multi-track Recording

                                         Composing using Music Technology

 

Analysing + Producing is a mixture of commentaries and production tasks in controlled conditions 

 

To view the Edexcel specification click on this link: Edexcel AS/A2 Music Technology

 

Extensions/Extra-Curricular Activities

The Academy offers a wide range of music extensions to its students. These classes get regular opportunities to perform throughout the year, and the premier ensembles get to play in the biggest event of the calendar, the summer concert.

 

Here is a list of current extension/extra-curricular classes available to pupils:

 

Karaoke Club - Key Stage 3 Chorus - Gospel Choir

Keyboard Club - School of Rock - African Drumming - Samba - Theory Club

Show Band - Training Band - Intermediate Band - Senior Band - String Ensemble - Percussion Ensemble

6th Form Music Enrichment

 

The music department also offers frequent opportunites for children to showcase their talents, such as:

- Bandslam (a 'Battle of the Bands' competition held annually)

- Summer/Winter Fair

- Carnival (for the Samba extension class)

- School Assemblies

- Various concert opportunities

 

Instrumental Lesson Programme (ILP)

Mossbourne's ILP offers instrumental lessons to students at a very reasonable, subsidised price. Lessons are taught by visiting professionals each week and are extremely popular amongst the children. These lessons can be solo, or group.

 

The Academy currently offers tuition on Woodwind, Brass, Strings, Percussion, Voice, Guitar/Bass, Piano/Keyboard.

 

At the end of each term, selected instrumentalists on the ILP play in a concert to demonstrate their musical skills.

 

For more information on the ILP, please contact Miss Sarah Parish - sparish@mossbourne.hackney.sch.uk