Music

Why is the subject important?

At Trinity Academy Halifax, students are equipped with a firm understanding of the value of music through singing, performance, aural appreciation and composition across a variety of periods, styles, traditions, and musical genres. The breadth of study leads students to an understanding and acceptance of the validity and importance of all types of music, and respect for the role that music plays spiritually, morally, socially and culturally. We are committed to ensuring children understand the value and importance of music in the wider community and are able to use their musical knowledge, skills and experiences to involve themselves in music via a variety of theoretical and practical contexts.

To support their contextual knowledge, students will learn how to play a variety of instruments as well as participate in regular vocal activities, deepening their appreciation of the required performance skills to progress in this subject.

Year 7

What will I be studying?

  • Unit 1: Graphic Score
  • Unit 2: Music Through Time
  • Unit 3: African
  • Unit 4: Contemporary
  • Unit 5: Pop
  • Unit 6: Programme Music

Career Links

Careers – Linking vastly to historical understandings of the world where geographers and potential historians may gain further understanding in world influences via major historic events.

Employability skills – Music allows learners to experience and develop key attributes such as achievement, self-confidence, community bonds with and awareness of others.  Building their respect to performers, empathy toward feedback and personal reflection in work. The making of a skill and recall and imbed muscle memory of situations.

How will I be assessed?

Students will take part in a practical assessment at the end of each unit. Performing in pairs or as a group the knowledge accessed through the 4 major assessment strands: singing, performing, composing and appreciating music.

Which websites should I use to support my learning?

What will I be studying?

  • Unit 7 : Gamelan
  • Unit 8 : Reggae
  • Unit 9: Rap
  • Unit 10: Music Technology
  • Unit 11: Film Music
  • Unit 12: Battle of the Bands

Career Links

Careers – Linking vastly to historical understandings of the world where geographers and potential historians may gain further understand in world influences via major historic events.

Employability skills – Music allows learners to experience and develop key attributes such as achievement, self-confidence, community bonds with and awareness of others.  Building their respect to performers, empathy toward feedback and personal reflection in work. The making of a skill and recall and imbed muscle memory of situations. Exploring job roles within the music industry and how the media impacts those positions within our society and cultures.

How will I be assessed?

Students will take part in a practical assessment at the end of each unit. Performing in pairs or as a group the knowledge accessed through the 4 major assessment strands: singing, performing, composing and appreciating music.

Which websites should I use to support my learning?

What will I be studying?

  • Unit 13: Music Production
  • Unit 14: Gaming Music

Career Links

Careers – Music technology and computer skills are an essential part of todays’ employment. Looking at various careers and professional case studies.

Employability skills – The ability to work via new and complex software will ignite curiosity and independent practice in understanding and navigating new ICT endeavours.

How will I be assessed?

Students will take part in a show and tell practical assessment at the end of each unit. Performing in pairs or as a group the knowledge accessed through the 4 major assessment strands: vocal, performing, composing and appreciating music.

Which websites should I use to support my learning?

What will I be studying?

The specification has three components based on the three skills of performing, composing and appraising. An integrated approach to the three skills is encouraged through each area of study and serves to highlight the importance of the relationship between composer, performer and audience. Knowledge and understanding of each area of study is assessed explicitly in Component 3. However, learners are also required to perform and compose music using conventions, styles or idioms linked to at least one area of study. Learners may choose the same or different areas of study for Components 1 and 2. Learners will also have the opportunity to follow their own musical interests in composition and performance.

Year 1

  • Composition and Appraising

Year 2

  • Performance and Appraising

Career Links

Year 9 Careers Links

Careers- Extra-curricular opportunities relating to this unit ensure students understand how workers gain their positions and the benefits of the various job roles in the sector. Studying practitioners process and journey as inspiration for their own career choices.

Employability skills- Developing life skills as they transition from student towards a career in the arts. These include, resilience, confidence, appreciation of music and cultures and its impact on the world.

Year 10 Careers Links

Careers – Career pathways in performing, composing and producing. Students experience visits from guest speakers and professional practitioners who deliver workshops. Students are offered the opportunity to see live theatre or concerts and experience a range of cultures beyond Halifax.

Employability skills – Equipping students with the knowledge to make decisions and justify choices, to be able to make mistakes and learn from them using a professional approach.

How will I be assessed?

    • Component 1: Performing – Total duration of performances: 4-6 minutes Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated (30% of qualification)

    A minimum of two pieces, one of which must be an ensemble performance of at least one minute duration. The other piece(s) may be either solo and/or ensemble.

    One of the pieces performed must link to an area of study of the learner’s choice.

    • Component 2: Composing – Total duration of compositions: 3-6 minutes Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated (30% of qualification)

    Two compositions, one of which must be in response to a brief set by WJEC. Learners will choose one brief from a choice of four, each one linked to a different area of study. The briefs will be released during the first week of September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken. The second composition is a free composition for which learners set their own brief.

    • Component 3: Appraising – Written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes (approximately) 40% of qualification. This component is assessed via a listening examination. Eight questions in total, two on each of the four areas of study.

    -Area of study 1: Musical Forms and Devices

    -Area of study 2: Music for Ensemble

    -Area of study 3: Film Music

    -Area of study 4: Popular Music

    Two of the eight questions are based on extracts set by WJEC.

Which examination board am I following?

Exam Board: Eduqas

Specification: WJEC Eduqas GCSE (9-1) in MUSIC

Website: https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/music-gcse/#tab_keydocuments

Which websites should I use to support my learning?

Ofsted Outstanding Provider
Trinity Scholars

Trinity Scholar students benefit from an additional investment of up to £6000

Click to find out more!