Expressive Arts - Music

COURSES

S1

Pupils have the opportunity to develop skills on keyboard, tuned percussion, guitar, voice and drum kit.
There is also the opportunity to improvise on tuned percussion and to compose a Scottish Waltz using 'Sibelius' software.
The listening element of the course involves developing knowledge and understanding of musical concepts.
Assessment of the course is continuous.

S2

The course is divided into three elements: Performing, Listening and Composing. Pupils play two instruments in a variety of styles including Ragtime, Blues and Rock. Listening concepts related to the performing topics are covered throughout the year. The composing element consists mainly of improvisation.

INTERMEDIATE MUSIC - COURSE DESCRIPTION for S3/S4

AWARD RECEIVED
Intermediate 1 Music (equates to Standard Grade General level)
Intermediate 2 Music (equates approximately to Standard Grade Credit level)

ENTRY LEVEL    
Ideally, pupils should have basic skills on 2 instruments (this can include voice) and to have made good progress during the S1 and S2 music courses. Pupils who are unsure of their suitability for the course should seek advice from their S2 music teacher.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Music with Performing course is made up of three units:

• Composing

Pupils will learn how to write melodies with chords and harmony parts in a variety of styles e.g. Scottish, Blues and Baroque showing originality, creativity, planning and good use of compositional techniques. Pupils will learn how to use a computer to record and edit their music. For assessment, an audio folio of compositions is assessed.

• Listening

The emphasis in this unit is on listening to a variety of music and developing an awareness of a range of different musical styles and concepts. In particular, pupils will develop the ability to identify stylistic features of music listened to, and to describe compositional features in terms of melody, harmony, rhythm, structure, timbre, genre and form. Their understanding of musical concepts and notation will be aided by experience in following scores of music listened to.  For assessment, a question paper requiring an ability to identify concepts learned throughout the course and knowledge of musical literacy will be given at the end of S4. End of topic listening tests will be given throughout the course.

• Performing

This unit allows pupils to develop performance skills in a wide range of styles, in solo or group situations, on TWO INSTRUMENTS (one of which may be voice). In the Course assessment they will demonstrate, in a prepared recital, the ability to perform with accuracy in pitch and rhythm and to play musically, maintaining the musical flow and realising and interpreting the composer’s intentions with regard to tempo, phrasing and dynamics.

ASSESSMENT
The key elements of the Course are the ability to:

• produce live performance programmes in two areas of musical performance
• use compositional skills creatively to produce work in composition which is musically coherent and makes sense to the listener
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of musical concepts
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of musical literacy

These key elements of the Course will be assessed by a combination of Unit and Course assessment.

HOMEWORK
Pupils will be expected to develop and extend their skills outside the classroom in all three elements of the course. This involves regular practice on their two chosen instruments as well as composing and listening. Attendance at extra curricular music activities is strongly recommended and will greatly enhance pupils’ musical education.

PROGRESSION
Successful completion of the Intermediate 1 course may lead to Intermediate 2 Music. Successful completion of the Intermediate 2 course may lead to Higher Music.

HIGHER MUSIC - COURSE DESCRIPTION for S5/S6

AWARD RECEIVED
Higher Music

ENTRY LEVEL    
Ideally, pupils should have a good pass at Intermediate 2 Music. Only in exceptional cases following discussion should someone consider taking Higher music without having completed the Intermediate 2 course.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Music with Performing course is made up of three units:

• Composing

Pupils will learn how to write melodies with chords and harmony parts in a variety of styles e.g. Scottish, Blues and Baroque showing originality, creativity, planning and good use of compositional techniques. Pupils will learn how to use a computer to record and edit their music. For assessment, an audio folio of compositions is assessed.

• Listening

The emphasis in this unit is on listening to a variety of music and developing an awareness of a range of different musical styles and concepts. In particular, pupils will develop the ability to identify stylistic features of music listened to, and to describe compositional features in terms of melody, harmony, rhythm, structure, timbre, genre and form. Their understanding of musical concepts and notation will be aided by experience in following scores of music listened to.  For assessment, a question paper requiring an ability to identify concepts learned throughout the course and knowledge of musical literacy will be given at the end of S5/6. End of topic listening tests will be given throughout the course.

• Performing

This unit allows pupils to develop performance skills in a wide range of styles, in solo or group situations, on TWO INSTRUMENTS (one of which may be voice). In the Course assessment they will demonstrate, in a prepared recital, the ability to perform with accuracy in pitch and rhythm and to play musically, maintaining the musical flow and realising and interpreting the composer’s intentions with regard to tempo, phrasing and dynamics.

ASSESSMENT
The key elements of the Course are the ability to:

• produce live performance programmes in two areas of musical performance
• use compositional skills creatively to produce work in composition which is musically coherent and makes sense to the listener
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of musical concepts
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of musical literacy

These key elements of the Course will be assessed by a combination of Unit and Course assessment.

HOMEWORK
Pupils will be expected to develop and extend their skills outside the classroom in all three elements of the course. This involves regular practice on their two chosen instruments as well as composing and listening. Attendance at extra curricular music activities is strongly recommended and will greatly enhance pupils’ musical education.

PROGRESSION
Successful completion of the Higher course may lead to Advanced Higher Music.

ADVANCED HIGHER MUSIC - COURSE DESCRIPTION for S5/S6

AWARD RECEIVED
Advanced Higher

ENTRY LEVEL    
Ideally, pupils should have a good pass at Higher music. Only in exceptional cases following discussion should someone consider taking Advanced Higher music without having completed the Higher course.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The music course is made up of three units:

• Composing

Pupils will learn how to write melodies with chords and harmony parts in a variety of styles e.g. Scottish, Blues and Baroque showing originality, creativity, planning and good use of compositional techniques. Pupils will learn how to use a computer to record and edit their music. For assessment, an audio folio of compositions is assessed.

• Listening

The emphasis in this unit is on listening to a variety of music and developing an awareness of a range of different musical styles and concepts. In particular, pupils will develop the ability to identify stylistic features of music listened to, and to describe compositional features in terms of melody, harmony, rhythm, structure, timbre, genre and form. Their understanding of musical concepts and notation will be aided by experience in following scores of music listened to.  For assessment, a question paper requiring an ability to identify concepts learned throughout the course and knowledge of musical literacy will be given at the end of S5/6. End of topic listening tests will be given throughout the course. Pupils will also undertake an in-depth study of selected musical works.

• Performing

This unit allows pupils to develop performance skills in a wide range of styles, in solo or group situations, on TWO INSTRUMENTS (one of which may be voice). In the Course assessment they will demonstrate, in a prepared recital, the ability to perform with accuracy in pitch and rhythm and to play musically, maintaining the musical flow and realising and interpreting the composer’s intentions with regard to tempo, phrasing and dynamics.

ASSESSMENT
The key elements of the Course are the ability to:

• produce live performance programmes in two areas of musical performance
• use compositional skills creatively to produce work in composition which is musically coherent and makes sense to the listener
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of musical concepts
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of musical literacy
• produce a 1500 word listening commentary

These key elements of the Course will be assessed by a combination of Unit and Course assessment.

HOMEWORK
Pupils will be expected to develop and extend their skills outside the classroom in all three elements of the course. This involves regular practice on their two chosen instruments as well as composing and listening. Attendance at extra curricular music activities is strongly recommended and will greatly enhance pupils’ musical education.

PROGRESSION
Successful completion of the Advanced Higher course may lead to further musical study at college or university.

FACILITIES

MUSIC DEPARTMENT FACILITIES
The music department is split into 3 levels with 3 classrooms, 5 practice/instrumental teaching rooms, rehearsal room, recording studio, computer suite and staff base.