Music

Ethos and Values

• To provide students with skills, knowledge, and confidence in a wide variety of music genres and styles.
• To foster students' sensitivity to, and their understanding and enjoyment of all aspects of music, including world music.
• To encourage students to take ownership of their own compositions and performances.
• To enable students to experience live musical performances and to work with professional artists in workshops and performances, in a variety of genres.
• To have consistently high expectations and match these with high quality resources and learning strategies.
• To encourage students to become independent learners.

Knowledge and Skills

• Students learn about the elements of music, to be able to compose, perform and listen to music with greater understanding.
• Students learn how to play the keyboard and to use it for performance and as a compositional tool.
• All students are given the opportunity to have vocal or instrumental tuition and are encouraged to use their instruments in class lessons.
• Students are encouraged to share their work with others to build confidence.
• All students are encouraged to participate in showcases at the Academy.

Resources and Facilities

Somercotes Academy has one full time music and performing arts teacher, as well as visiting instrumental teachers. The music department comprises of a well-equipped teaching room and an instrumental teaching room.

The music room is equipped with 13 Yamaha MIDI synthesizers which are all connected to a PC. The 13 PCs have access to Sibelius and Cubase to give students the opportunities to compose and produce their own pieces of music in a variety of different genres.

Courses & Qualifications

KS3

At Key Stage 3, all students have one Music lesson a week and follow a varied programme of music, which involves performing as an individual or in an ensemble, composing and listening. Students work through a variety of stimulating and exciting topics which are updated regularly. From the start of Year 7 students are taught to read and understand music notation, a skill that is built upon through their music education. Schemes of work currently include Film Music, World Music, Popular Classics and Dance Music.

KS4

Students have the opportunity to continue their Music studies at Key Stage 4. We currently offer BTEC Tech Award in Music Practice, GCSE Music and BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts.

BTEC Tech Award in Music Practice

Students explore the music industry whilst developing their performance skills. They respond to briefs set by Pearson that allow them to develop in three discipline areas: Music Performance, Creating Original Music, and Music Production.

The qualification is organised into three Components:

Component 1: Exploring Music Products and Styles
Component 2: Music Skills Development
Component 3: Responding to a Commercial Music Brief.

BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts

Students explore the performing arts industry whilst developing their performance skills. They respond to briefs set by Pearson to allow them to develop as an actor.

Component 1: Exploring the Performing Arts
Component 2: Developing Skills and Techniques in the Performing Arts
Component 3: Responding to a Brief.

EDEXCEL GCSE MUSIC

Students explore a variety of different musical styles and genres, and are encouraged to think critically and creatively with the music they have listened to. They develop an understanding of the place of music in different cultures and contexts, and reflect on how music is used in the wider-world. They develop their performance skills through performing as a soloist and within an ensemble, whilst learning how to compose within varying music styles.

Component 1: Performing
Component 2: Composing
Component 3: Appraising

Lincolnshire Music Service

Lincolnshire Music Service provide supplementary instrumental lessons at Somercotes Academy. Students receive tuition from an experienced and professional instrumental tutor, which then builds their confidence and skills when learning an instrument. Currently, students can learn to play a variety of woodwind instruments, electric/acoustic/bass guitar, piano, drum kit and voice.

Learning Outside The Classroom

Here at Somercotes Academy, we have a wide range of extra-curricular music clubs available. Students also have the opportunity to perform in our regular Showcases throughout the year.

Somercotes Singers

This is open to any student who enjoys singing in a group. Students across the academy take part in a variety of concerts and showcases.

Ukulele Club

For Key Stage 3 students who want to learn how to play the Ukulele in an Ensemble.

Brass Club

For students who want to learn to play a Brass instrument. No experience necessary.

Little Voices

A more advanced vocal group who like to sing in two to three part harmony.

Keyboard Club

Keyboard Club allows students to develop their keyboard skills outside of lesson time.

Somercotes Band

For students who can play a musical instrument across all years. The Somercotes Band is a great opportunity for students to play in an ensemble and perform in front of an audience.

Interhouse Music Performance Competition

An annual event that is open to any student in the Academy who can sing or play an instrument. Anyone can sign up to represent their house.

How can parents/carers help and what can be done at home?

• Speak to your son or daughter about how music has evolved in your lifetime. Music is so accessible now and it is difficult for them to understand when music was not instantaneous.
• Attend a variety of local and wider field concerts. Encourage students to research the contextual background behind the pieces they have experienced at the concert - even better do it retrospectively, then students can engage more with the music.
• Encourage students to involve themselves musically in the community.
• Share likes and dislikes in music and justify them. We find students struggle to justify their preferences and resort to the opinion that ‘it's on the radio’ or ‘my friends like it’.
• Most importantly, have a variety of music playing in the house.