Music Key Stage 4

The Music Curriculum- Key Stage 4

Students in KS4 will study for a BTEC in Music. This course is highly tailored to student needs, ensuring they leave SHS as a rounded musician.

As the BTEC is a highly practical course it is widely recognised by colleges and further education provision as a route that will produce exceptional performers and musicians.

Year 10

Year 10 Curriculum Overview	Component	Overview
Term 1	Managing a music product and the music industry, Performance, Live Sound, and (optional) composition.	Building on work from Key stage 3 students will begin to prepare a concert in school. This will entail: planning, promoting, rehearsing, set up, and performing. Students will plan each element and be marked on the quality of their input into the process as well as the standard of their performance. Students will also be given 1-2-1 instrument lessons to make sure they are prepared for their performance. The work we complete in each unit has an impact on other units of work as such we work holistically meaning each unit is covered in each lesson through practical music making and planning. Students may also engage composing and have their work performed at the school concerts. More information on how BTEC Music works is available from Mr Rigby.
Term 2
Term 3

Year 11

Year 11 Curriculum Overview	Component	Overview
Term 1	Managing a music product and the music industry, Performance, Live Sound, and (optional) composition.	Year 11 builds on the work from year and will give students the opportunity to fully create a product, this can be a CD or a concert. The promotional material students create will be of a professional standard and showcase the work they have completed for families at home. The main performance of the year will see students performing a full length concert of 1:30, full of high quality music they have selected. Students will be shown how they can take music further as a career along with their options for further study. More information on how BTEC Music works is available from Mr Rigby.
Term 2
Term 3

During the 2 years of KS4 students will study 4 units of work, with 2 being compulsory and 2 optional. The two compulsory units are:

Unit 1: The Music Industry- this is an external exam that looks at the wider world of the music industry and the wide range of jobs and roles in this.
Unit 2: Managing a Music Product- this unit has students planning and organising a concert/CD from scratch which forms one of our big shows in the year.

Students must choose 2 optional units, they include:

Unit 3: Introducing Live Sound- setting up and organising the sound system for a concert/recording, we complete this as part of unit 2
Unit 4: Introducing Music Composition- students will compose one 3-minute piece of music
Unit 5: Introducing Music Performance- students will perform music; we complete this as part of unit 2
Unit 6: Introducing Music Recording- students will record music; we complete this if we chose a CD as part of unit 2
Unit 7: Introducing Music Sequencing- students will make music using a computer sequencer and produce a CD as part of Unit 2

The Music department supports students to engage in a qualification that has a clear progression into further education, employment or an apprenticeship. The Music department has close links with many Manchester based organisations, including: Brighter Sound, Trafford Music Hub and The Royal Exchange Theatre.

As a practical qualification this provides a clear progression route into a music specialism and offers students with experience of leading and reviewing products and performances.

Students will engage in a highly performance based qualification that sees them taking the lead in organising, booking resources and handling budget while maintaining detailed logs and minutes.

By the end of the course students will have created a professional standard product that will be available to the school and community, this could include:

> A CD
> A concert
> A music video

By the end of the course students will have:

> Planned, developed and delivered a music product
> Promoted a music product
> Review the management of the music product

As well as demonstrating:

> An understanding of different organisations that make up the music industry
> And understanding of jobs in the music industry

Students will have shown their work within school and the community and made links with external organisations.