ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE
MAGHERA
Music
Welcome To The Music Department
Music Department: Staff
Ms J. Conway - Head of Music
Mrs R. Taggart - Teacher of Music
In addition, there are six visiting instrumental teachers. We currently have approximately 70 pupils taking music lessons in the school. All pupils receive individual lessons which last 20-30 minutes throughout the school day. We offer lessons in Strings, Woodwind, Brass, Drum- kit, Piano and Guitar. Pupils are also encouraged to take part in extra-curricular activities to reinforce the excellent work of the instrumental tutors.
Mrs S. Mc Connell - Strings
Miss L. Skelton - Woodwind
Mrs B. Murray - Woodwind
Mrs J. Dickey - Piano
Mr H. Reed - Guitar
Mr F. O’ Hagan - Drums
We have two music classrooms, a technology studio and three practice rooms used by pupils and instrumental teachers.
Music Department: Aims
Ethos:
The ethos of the music department at St. Patrick’s College is to promote learning through creativity and practical music making, which will enable each child to reach their full potential. We believe that everyone should have access to playing and appreciating many different types of music and should have the opportunity to develop and showcase their skills as often as possible.
We as a department aim to:
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Help all students experience an in-depth and varied musical education, to prepare them towards KS4, KS5 and further musical study.
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Have a balance between practical performance work, composition and learning how to listen to and appraise music.
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Encourage students to develop their musicianship through a wide range of musical experiences, genres and cultures
Music Department: Subject Overview
Key Stage 3
Years 8, 9 and 10 receive one class of music per week.
Students study a very wide variety of musical genres and styles throughout Key Stage 3. These units are underpinned by the essential composing, performing and listening and apprising skills needed for examination at KS4 and 5.
We cover the following topics in Years 8, 9 and 10:
Year 8
Baseline
Spooky Music
Instruments of the
Orchestra
Feel the Rhythm
Careers in Music
Ukulele
Year 9
Elements Revision
Keyboard
Fanfares
Variations
Music and the Media
Folk Music
Year 10
All about the Bass
Musical Traditions in Ireland
Film Soundtracks
Offbeat Reggae
Making Arrangements
Dance Music
Key Stage 4
Examination Board: CCEA
Years 11 and 12 receive seven classes of music across the two-week timetable.
GCSE Music is designed to appeal to, and cater for, a wide range of interests, instruments and personalities. Talented performers and budding composers can develop their creative skill and flair whilst gaining a worthwhile qualification.
The course focuses on the three main components;
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Listening and Apprising
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Composing
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Performing.
Unit 1
Performing and
Appraising
Complete one solo and one ensemble performance Short discussion about your performance with the visiting examiner. Solo (30 marks) Ensemble (30 marks) Discussion (10 marks)
35%
Unit 2
Composing - Controlled Assessment
Create two compositions:
A) One in response to a pre-release stimulus and
B) One free choice. Composition A (30 marks) Composition B (30 marks)
30%
Unit 3
Listening and
Appraising - External written examination 1 hour 30 mins Answer questions based on familiar and unfamiliar music relating to the Areas of Study:
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Western Classical Music 1600-1910
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Film Music
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Musical Traditions of Ireland Popular Music 1980- Present day
35%
Key Stage 5
Examination Board: CCEA
Entry Requirement: GCSE Music B+. Grade 5 in chosen instrument.
Pupils in Years 13 and 14 receive eleven classes of music across the two-week timetable.
A level music is an excellent choice for students who wish to either further their musical development or add variety to other A level subjects. Students develop essential skills in communication, problem solving and working with others.
AS Level
Unit 1
Performing and Appraising
A solo performance at a level equivalent to at least Grade 4 standard of 5 to 7 minutes duration and a viva voce.
Assessed by Visiting Examiner
32.5% of AS 13% of A level
Unit 2
Composing - Controlled
Assessment Choice of composition task:
Option A) – Free composition
Option B) - Composition with music technology task.
1½ to 2½ minutes duration accompanied by a written commentary of no more than 1000 word
Internally assessed Externally moderated
32.5% of AS 13% of A level
Unit 3
Listening and Appraising
Three compulsory areas of study, each containing four set works:
A) Music for Orchestra 1700–1900;
B) Sacred Vocal Music (anthems)
C) Secular Vocal Music (musicals)
A 1 hour test of aural perception and a 2 hour written examination
35% of AS 14% of A level
A2 Level
Unit 1
Performing and Appraising
A solo performance at a level equivalent to at least Grade 5 standard of 8 to 10 minutes duration and a viva voce.
Assessed by Visiting Examiner
19.5% of A level
Unit 2
Composing - Controlled
Assessment Choice of composition task:
Option A) – Free composition
Option B) - Composition with music technology task 2 to 3 minutes duration accompanied by a written commentary of no more than 1200 words
Internally assessed Externally moderated
19.5% of A level
Unit 3
Listening and Appraising
Three compulsory areas of study each containing four set works:
A) Music for Orchestra in the Twentieth Century;
B) Sacred Vocal Music
C) Secular Vocal Music (1600 to the present day)
A 1¼ hour test of aural perception and a 2 hour written examination
21% of A level
Music Department: Extra-Curricular
We aim to encourage a wide variety of music-making opportunities and to develop the potential of each pupil by making music an enjoyable and rewarding experience inside and outside the classroom.
The Music Department hosts a variety of events and extra-curricular activities throughout the year. Highlights of the musical calendar include the Christmas Carol service, Inaugural School Mass and Taize events. Music also occurs at Prize-giving events and other small performances throughout the year. These events are supported with music from our Senior and Junior Choirs, Traditional Music group and String and Woodwind ensembles.
Both the Senior and Junior Choirs compete in local music festivals across Northern Ireland including BBC School Choir of the Year.
The School Production occurs biannually and is always a huge event on the school calendar. The department has produced many sell-out performances over the years from Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat, West Side Story, Little Shops of Horrors, Calamity Jane, Fame and most recently Beauty and the Beast.
Students can also enrol in the instrumental tuition programme and receive one-to-one lessons with a specialist instrumental teacher. Many of our students take advantage of our extensive extra-curricular music lessons including Piano, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Guitar, Singing and Drums and successfully take graded exams on their instruments.
Music Department: Careers
Many of the students who have taken A level Music successfully continue to third level education. Over the years we have had pupils study music at Queens University, University of Ulster, Dublin Music College (BIMM) and others who have specialised in performance in the London College of Performing Arts. These students have successfully acquired professional status in the music industry in a variety of job roles.
Music Department: Educational Visits & Trips
Students have opportunities to enjoy music trips to see professional orchestras and artists perform. Over the year’s students have travelled to London to see theatre productions such as Wicked and Wizard of Oz. Pupils have also participated in West End workshops with professionals and visited the Harry Potter Studios.
Both the Senior and Junior Choirs have entered a variety of music festivals across Northern Ireland including BBC School Choir of the Year Competition.
Music Department: Gallery
