Music
BackWelcome to the Music Department
Our Department Vision
Music is at the very heart of Copthall life.
We offer a challenging, progressive and inspiring music education which combines a deep and diverse knowledge and musical understanding, and the opportunity to strengthen and develop skills that challenge students to thrive, both individually and collaboratively with others in the classroom and the wider world.
Music lessons deliver new learning that is intended for lifelong learning, in which the practical skills learned are transferable, and the creative, expressive demands support personal skills and wellbeing. Knowledge learned will equip students to explore deeper independent learning, and instil an appreciation of music across time and place.
Students write and talk articulately about music heard, demonstrating music literacy. This is explored through staff and graphic notation, written analysis, and accurate application of key words.
Music Technology (Logic Pro X) is a frequent platform for composition across all key stages, and promotes equality of access and ambition in the quality of student output.
Lessons take place twice a fortnight at KS3 and half termly projects include performing, composing and listening appraisal. These might be created in pairs, small groups or whole class workshops.
The Curriculum Leader may be contacted via email enquiries@copthall.barnet.sch.uk
Curriculum
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Students opting to study GCSE Music in Year 9 will follow a programme of study set out by EDUQAS. They will focus on Performing (30%), Composition (30%) and Music Appraisal (40%). This allows students to develop into well rounded musicians and our key stage 3 curriculum is designed to support students in making the best possible progress in this examination by providing them with a solid grounding in all of the above musical disciplines. Our curriculum allows student opportunities to develop their individual instrumental skills as well their ensemble skills by providing a wide range of musically enriching activities.
Key Stage 3
The KS3 (Y7&8) curriculum is designed to bridge and extend learning from primary to secondary through the use of music technology in pairs and practical whole class/group tasks that explore composition and performance. All lessons target music literacy building on the Musical Elements, so that students can demonstrate their understanding through verbal, written and practical contexts. Students respond to music heard as exemplar learning and learn to listen critically as a model for their own practical work. Music heard is used as a stimulus to analyse and understand music across time and place.
Key Stage 4
At KS4 (Y9-11) students continue the model of KS3 exploring the three components, performing (30%), composing (30%) and listening/ appraising (40%) in more depth. We follow the Eduqas exam board for GCSE Music which comprises 60% coursework (internally marked and externally moderated) and 40% written paper (1 hour 15 mins) that requires knowledge of 2 set works and a wider knowledge of music and literacy.
Students are encouraged to work on their coursework in school beyond the lesson, and additional teacher support is available.
Extra-Curricular
Extra curricular
Student frequently visit the music rooms throughout the school day for both classroom lessons and extra-curricular opportunities.
| Monday | 3.30-5pm | Composition, Practice and rehearsals |
| Tuesday | 1.30-2pm | Year 8/9 choir |
| 3.30-5pm | Composition, Practice and rehearsals | |
| Wednesday | 1.30-2pm | Flute choir |
| Thursday | 1.30-2pm | Y7 Choir |
| 3.30-5pm | Composition, Practice and rehearsals | |
| Friday | 1.30-2pm | Composition, Practice and rehearsals |
Students are encouraged to make independent use of the music resources to rehearse, practise and compose at break/ lunch and after school, forming their own groups too.
Instrumental and vocal lessons are being reintroduced from January 2022 as an additional, optional lesson for individuals or small groups. 10 lessons per term, either 20 or 30 minutes each
Concerts and trips take place regularly:
| Summer 2021 | Outdoor GCSE Performance |
| October 2021 | Pure Piano Concert |
| November 2021 | Music assemblies |
| December 2021 | Winter Concert |
| January 2022 | GCSE Performance Evening |
| July 2022 | Whole School production |
| Musical Theatre trip | Y11 | January 2022 | Frozen |
| Musical Theatre trip | Y7 | Matilda |
Careers & Employment
Careers in Music
Music is a well-respected A level and degree for its complexity of skills, and depth of literacy and knowledge, as well as the demands on student's time and commitment to practise, rehearse, compose and perform. The personal skills developed and refined through these processes demonstrate much sought-after personal qualities.
- www.youthmusic.org.uk
- https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/job-sectors/creative-arts-and-design/careers-in-music
- https://www.sonymusic.co.uk/careers/
Top universities to study Music: www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/music
The 11 UK Music Conservatoires to achieve music degrees: https://conservatoiresuk.ac.uk/
Recommended Reading
These websites particularly support the developing knowledge and understanding of music literacy.
GCSE & A level Music exam board : www.eduqas.co.uk
KS3: www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/secondary
KS4: www.musictheory.net
KS4: www.musicmark.org.uk
Facilities
We are proud our students benefit from a brand new fully equipped music technology imac mini suite installed September 2021 with Logic Pro X software, Sibelius and GarageBand. Additionally, we have class Macbooks.
The music department features two music classrooms and additional practise rooms, and has access to two large performance spaces.
Classrooms are equipped with Clavinovas, Electronic Keyboards, a class set of Djembes, a range of Guitars, Ukuleles, Drum kits and tuned/ untuned percussion.
