Music Overview

Head of Performing Arts” width=”140″ height=”180″> Andrew Moxon
Head of Performing Arts

Head of Department

Please email Andrew Moxon if you need to make an enquiry about music.

Curriculum Time

In Year 7 and 8 all pupils receive two hours a fortnight of music in the curriculum. In Year 9 pupils have the opportunity to continue with music as a GCSE option subject. Currently there are more than 70 GCSE musicians at Ryedale School, receiving five hours of class time per fortnight.

Homework

Homework is set routinely for all Year 9, 10 and 11 GCSE musicians, as part of the school Homework Timetable. Pupils keep a record of the homework in their planners. Music homework is not set for Key Stage 3 students.

Class Groupings

In Year 7, all classes are mixed ability. In Year 8 there is one high ability music set, and the other classes are mixed ability. There is one class of musicians in Year 9, 10 and 11.

GCSE Syllabus (for examination from Summer 2018 onwards)

Students follow Edexcel/Pearson 9-1 GCSE Music (1MU0) syllabus. There is only one tier of entry in music. The course is divided into three distinct areas: Unit 1 Performance (30%), Unit 2 Composition (30%) and Unit 3 Listening and Appraising (40%). Units 1 and 2 are controlled assessment units, and Unit 3 is examined at the end of Year 11.

Rooming and Resources

We have first-rate equipment and class spaces for all year groups, including a keyboard and PC workstation each in our main classroom, with Sibelius software to aid composing and performing, four practice rooms and a fully-equipped recording studio.

Departmental Ethos

The curriculum in Year 7-8 is fundamentally about enjoying music through performing and composing, and provides an excellent platform for GCSE and A-Level music. Learning to strike the balance between working hard and having fun is essential in music, and by getting this right, no matter what your musical experience is, you can make excellent progress.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

We offer a wide range of fantastic extra-curricular opportunities, from en-masse participation groups to bespoke ensembles for our most experienced musicians. Performance to parents and within the local community is vital for the positive promotion of the school and the department, and for building students’ confidence and a sense of enjoyment.

Other Information

We offer a wide range of instrumental and singing lessons. Please contact the Head of Department for more information.