Purpose

Key Stage 3 music education plays a crucial role in students’ academic, social, and personal growth. It enhances communication skills, critical thinking, and creativity, fostering adaptability and innovation. Music helps develop emotional intelligence and empathy, while also promoting collaboration and cultural awareness. The discipline required builds resilience, and performing boosts confidence. Overall, KS3 music equips students with essential life skills, shaping them into well-rounded, capable future leaders.

Content

Year 8 Music covers diverse genres. Autumn introduces jazz, starting with the 12-bar blues, improvisation using the blues scale, and walking bass lines. Students apply these to "Jackass Blues" and later "Watermelon Man," progressing to 16-bar blues and new keys.

Spring explores Musical Theatre. Students learn "Alexander Hamilton," developing vocal and rhythmic skills, including rapping and three-part harmony, and accompanying themselves on piano. They then focus on "Heart of Stone" from Six, refining vocal technique, harmonies, and musical notation for piano accompaniment.

Summer begins with reggae, focusing on syncopated rhythms, bass lines, and melodies. Students develop confident singing, harmonies, and steady tempo using percussion. They explore Jamaican culture and reggae's origins through performance and critical listening. The term concludes with a Shakespeare Festival, where students collaborate to prepare and perform a play with music and dance, developing ensemble and directing skills for a final performance.

Beyond the classroom

Appraising, Composing and Listening. Whole Class Singing. Whole Class Instrumental Performance, Shakespeare Festival, Christmas performance