OVERVIEW

Here at Harris Church of England Academy, we believe that fulfilling students with the love and joy of Music are vital to their learning and personal development. Students are able to exercise discipline and patience through the practice required to learn an instrument. This helps to build their confidence, as a musician flourishes through constant encouragement to perform in front of members of their class. It is always a joy to see students’ confidence and skill grow through the positive culture and support that is nurtured in the classroom.

Our curriculum uses guidance from the National Curriculum for Music to educate all students about different styles of music. This incorporates the need for both practical and non-practical knowledge and skill development through the three disciplines of music: performance, composition, and listening and appraising.

KS3 CURRICULUM

Music at Harris in KS3 is a topic-based curriculum where students are able to build upon their practical skills alongside their key subject knowledge in each topic. Whilst learning how to perform, compose and appraise different styles of music, students will also gain the knowledge of the historical and cultural impacts of these styles within different cultures.

Our curriculum of music offers the unique opportunity to gain a recognised qualification from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in music theory. Students will study for these examinations throughout the year with the knowledge being embedded into the topics below.

Year 7

• ABRSM Grade 1 Music Theory (studied throughout the year)
• The Elements of Music
• The Evolution of the Orchestra
• Musical Theatre and Opera

Year 8

• ABRSM Grade 2 Music Theory (studied throughout the year)
• African Drumming
• Jazz and Blues
• The Production of Pop Music

KS4 CURRICULUM

KS4 Music at Harris allows students to gain a qualification in the BTEC Music First Award. This award can be tailored to meet the specific needs of different students with a choice of options for completing practical assessments. During this qualification, students will gain the ability to work with other people allowing them to develop the social skills and confidence that they can carry through to later life.

The topics covered in BTEC Music First Award are:

The Music Industry

• Understand the different types of organisations that make up the music industry.
• Understand job roles in the music industry.

Managing a Music Product

• Plan, develop and deliver a music product.
• Promote a music product
• Review the management of a music product

Introducing Music Performance

• Develop your music performance skills and review your own practice.
• Use your music performance skill within rehearsal and performance.

Introducing Music Composition

• Explore creative stimuli to meet a brief.
• Develop, extend and shape music for performance.
• Present compositions appropriately.

Through the exploration of these topics, students' skills in music will flourish with one to one contact with the teacher and consistent tailored feedback to ensure development and achievement.

EXTRA CURRICULAR MUSIC

Outside of the classroom, students are able to take part in the Harris Musical Theatre Group where students have the opportunity to put on performances both inside and outside of Harris Academy. Through Music at Harris, students also have the opportunity to take part in a community Musical Theatre Production which allows them to experience a highly professional level of performance and technical theatre elements. We are also able to offer instrumental lessons provided by Warwickshire Music Hub within the school day. Learning an instrument can promote great discipline and patience which supports the development of life skills and can open countless opportunities for future aspirations.

THE HARRIS VALUES AND MUSIC

Music at Harris promotes respect within the classroom for both students who are sharing work and the other musical cultures they learn about. Students will learn to show an appreciation for the traditions and customs of other cultures both musically and otherwise.

Students are a vital part of worship within Harris. Our school Worship Band is made up of both students and teachers who rehearse and work together to provide the music for whole school assemblies. This is not only a great performance opportunity for students but also a chance to demonstrate great responsibility towards our whole school worship.

In the classroom, students are encouraged to be ambitious in their own musical ability whilst also supporting their peers, especially with practical work. Music teaches students to work harmoniously together creating a safe environment in which to experiment, and to express themselves and promote a healthy attitude to learning where individual and group performance is both welcomed and celebrated.