In the Music Department we provide opportunities for pupils to gain skills, knowledge and understanding in the following areas:
• Controlling sounds made by the voice and instruments;
• Responding and reviewing own and others’ work;
• Listening and applying knowledge and understanding;
• Communicate musical ideas to others by means such as speaking and writing;
• Performance – both individual and ensemble;
• Creating and developing musical ideas in response to a stimulus.
Pupils will experience a variety of experiences/activities during a unit and during an individual lesson. There will be many opportunities for individual and/or group activities, e.g. performing, listening, composing, writing, discussion, appraising and using ICT equipment.
In the Music Department pupils will have the opportunity to study Music at Key Stage 3 and beyond to AS and A Level.
The Music Department not only teaches Music as a subject but provides endless opportunities for pupils to perform it outside of school in an extra curricular setting. Pupils are encouraged to be part of the various clubs such as Junior & Senior Choir, Orchestra, Concert Band, Woodwind Group, Brass Group and the String Group. There are many events in the Music Department that allow the pupils to showcase their talents such as:
• Prize Distribution
• Annual school Musical Production
• Christingle Service
• Open Evenings
• College Assemblies
• Music Festivals
• Charity Events
Below are some of the events which the music department have taken part in
Please click on an event for more information:
Recent Events to Wellington College
- Prize Day
- Annuel College Musical 'Oliver'
- Annuel Christingle Service
- Woodwind, Brass and concert band entered holywood & Ballymena festival
- Year 13 Music Class Trip to London to see 'Hairspray'
- Annual Spring Concert
- Ulster Orchesta Workshop at the Ulster Hall for GCSE and A Level classes
- Various musical froups taking part in assemblies
- Concert Band at St. Anne's Cathedral for Action Cancer
- RAF Band concert for whole school
Coming Events
- School Production - 'Oklahoma' - December 2011
- Annual Christingle Service - December 2011
- Annual Spring Concert - December 2011
Scheme of Work - Overview
Year 8
- Elements of music and basic notation.
- Danse Macabre
- World Music
- Ostinato
- Messages and Music
- Instruments of the Orchestra
- Carnival of the Animals
- Classy Music
Formative assessment: 4 written tests, 3 spelling tests, 3 homeworks, 2 performances, 2 Compositions, Keyboard Performance (Classy Music) and a summer exam.
Year 9
- Elements of Music
- Graphic Scores
- Step and Leap
- Film Music
- Next Door Neighbours
- Musical Moods
- Musicals and TV themes
- Classy Music
Formative assessment: 3 written tests, 2 spelling test, 4 homeworks, 2 Compositions, Keyboard Performances (Love me Tender, Fur Elise, Classy Music) and a summer exam.
Year 10
- Elements of Music
- Listening on 'The Planets'
- Primary Chords
- Careers in Music
- Music and Games Consoles
- Blues
- Ragtime
- Jazz
- What makes a good song?
Formative assessment: 3 written tests, 3 homeworks, 2 Compositions, Performance (Yellow Submarine, Jackass Blues, Classy Music) and a summer exam.
Key Stage 4 Board - CCEA
Year 11
- Listening: Repeated Patterns in Music, Incidental Music, Vocal Music and general Eras of Music.
- Composition: Melody writing, primary, secondary and 7th chords, cadences, musical form, accompaniments.
- Performance: sole and ensemble
Formative assessment: 5 homeworks, 4 written tests, 1 vocabulary test, 3 performances, (2 solo and one ensemble), 2 Compositions and a summer exam.
Year 12
- Listening: Musical Arrangements and consolidation of year 11 listening.
- Composition: modulation, variations, ensemble writing and implementation of techniques learnt to create two compositions lasting in total 3 to 5 minutes duration. Commentary of both composition.
- Performance: Solo and ensemble.
Summative assessment (Mock and GCSE exam): Listening exam (25%), 2 compositions (40%) and performance (both solo and ensemble) (35%).
Board - CCEA
AS Level
- Music for Orchestra (approximately 1700-1900): analysis and listening
- Aural perception: 1700 to the present day including both instrumental and vocal music.
- The Musical 1900 - today: essay work
- Solo/Ensemble Performance: Preparation of a repertoire lasting 5-8 minutes. Viva voce questions based on chosen repertoire.
- Composition/sequencing: In addition to GCSE more advanced structures such as sonata form, modulations, fugal writing and implementation of techniques learnt to create a composition/sequenced arrangement of 1 1/2 - 2 minutes duration. Commentary writing.
Formative assessment: 8 topic tests, 10 homeworks, 3 performances, 1 composition, 1 viva voce, 1 mock exam in January on all written areas of study (aural perception and 1 essay).
A Level
- Compulsory area of study: 'Music for Orchestra in the Twentieth Century'
- Optional area of study chosen: 'Jazz in the USA, 1930-1960' - essay work
- Aural Perception: 1700 to the present day including both instrumental and vocal music.
- Solo/Ensemble Performance: Preparation of a repertoire lasting 5-8 minutes. Viva voce questions based on chosen repertoire.
- Composition/sequencing: In addition to GCSE more advanced structures such as sonata form, modulations, fugal writing and implementation of techniques learnt to create a composition/sequenced arrangement of 2-3 minutes duration. Commentary writing.
Formative assessment: 7 topic tests, 8 homeworks, 3 performances, 1 composition, 1 viva voce, 1 mock exam in January on all written area of study (aural perception and 1 essay)
Mrs E McCloskey HoD
Mrs S Hodgins
Peripatetic Music Staff
Miss S Kelly - Brass
Ms S Kendall - Upper Strings
Miss J Ferguson - Lower Strings
Mr G Stitt - Flute
Mr P Masterson - Woodwind (Reeds)
Miss S Tohill - Rock School Singing
Mrs S Perrins - Classical and Music Theatre Singing
Mrs R Brunton - Piano
MrP Richardson - Guitar