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Music Department

Sha Tin College strives to be an International School and the Music Curriculum and Extra-Curricular Programme reflect this. Below are tangible aims we strive for in all our activities.

The Music Curriculum aims to be:

  • Inclusive
  • Performance, Composition and Listening orientated
  • International in its outlook
  • Broad in the range of music styles covered
  • Supportive of the Equal Opportunities Policy on inclusion
  • Differentiated for EAL, SEN and Gifted and Talented students
  • Practical and relevant to current trends in Music Education
  • At the cutting edge of Music Technology in education
  • Attentive to the changing needs of individuals, the school and community

The Extra –Curricular Programme aims to be:

  • Inclusive to students, parents and staff
  • High profile and make a value contribution to the whole school ethos
  • Broad in the range of performances it offers, encouraging links on projects with other departments, including Drama, Dance, Art and Film Studies
  • Follow the schools Equal Opportunities Policy on inclusion
  • Differentiated for EAL, SEN and Gifted and Talented students
  • Engaging, progressive and aiming for excellence
  • Attentive to the changing needs of individuals, the school and community

A Guide to the Music Curriculum

The Music Curriculum through Year 7 – 13 encourages robust participation in Performance, Composition and Listening. Schemes of work are sequenced through Years 7-9 to provide maximum opportunity for individual progress, skill acquisition and personal development, leading towards preparation for GCSE and IB Music.
More specific details on content and assessment methods can be found in the departmental schemes of work, the on-line reporting module, Gateway and the current GCSE and IB examination syllabus. Being a smaller department, we have a level of professional flexibility in the way we deliver all topics that meet the strengths of each teacher and class.

Key Stage 3

All students follow a broad Foundation Course which allows for Performance, Composition and Listening Activities. Topics include World Music, Music Technology, Popular Music and also reflection of the traditions of Music throughout History. Students are assessed during individual and small group work and careful records are kept by students, staff and available to parents through the school on-line reporting module, Gateway.

GCSE Music

We currently follow the Edxcel GCSE Music course which is generally well suited to our students. Content, modes of assessment are prescribed in detail and we use our own guide sheets to support curriculum delivery. As classes are somewhat smaller, we can add a bias to performing or composition to aid the delivery of the prescribed topic areas. There are also excellent course books which we now use specifically produced for the GCSE Examination.

IB Music

IB Music is delivered in much the same way as GCSE with dedicated course books and use of teacher specialists to deliver a tailor-made curriculum for each new class. The main areas covered are Performance, Composition, Prescribed Works, General Listening and a Musical Investigation. Current content, aims and objectives and modes of assessment are as prescribed in the IB Curriculum.

Methodology Within Music

The Music Department rationalises its methodology against the need for students and staff within the school to express their creativity through sound. We regard the classroom teacher as the key player in music development within the school. Below is a generic list of common methodology used within the classroom.

Performance

  • Solo/ensemble work
  • Large/whole class Ensemble
  • Self-rehearsal of students
  • Teacher rehearsal
  • Video and audio recording of performance work
  • Student/staff evaluation of video/audio recordings
  • Classroom /Assembly Performances
  • GCSE and IB Recital preparation and performance

Composition

  • Individual/ small group composition
  • Use of various notation methods
  • Music Technology to record and realize compositions
  • Large/whole class composition
  • Video and audio recording of performance
  • Student/staff evaluation of video/audio recordings
  • GCSE and IB Compositional course work

Listening

  • Individual/ group listening tasks
  • Verbal and written responses
  • Assignments and research projects
  • PowerPoint and oral presentations
  • Musical investigations
  • Extended essays

Assignment

  • WORD or other ICT documentation
  • Aural presentation
  • Individual/group- based presentation

Assessment

  • Explanation of all assessment criteria
  • Opportunities for self evaluation
  • Teacher assessment / feedback for individual pupils in order to enhance progress and achievement- identifying strengths and weaknesses
  • Target setting for individual pupils where needed
  • Recording of pupil progress and attainment in accordance with departmental and school policy

Accommodation & Equipment

Music Rooms 351, 355 and Practice Rooms

We have a purpose built music suite which has two main music studios, 4 practice rooms and two large ensemble rooms which are also used as a library and office. A central screen can be opened to combine both music rooms together for a larger rehearsal and performance space.

Generic Equipment

Both main studios have generic instruments and AV resources to deliver the whole curriculum Y7 – 13.

Below is a list of the main features:

  • Interactive White Board
  • Dolby Sound System
  • Class set of MIDI keyboards
  • Class set of acoustic guitars
  • Class set of tuned and untuned percussion
  • Class set of recorders
  • Electric and bass guitars with amplifiers
  • Drum kits
  • Digital and acoustic pianos
  • Music software: Sonar – Sibelius – Soundforge-Guitar Pro
  • Generic software: Microsoft Office and graphics programmes
  • Various sound systems/amplifiers

Specialist Equipment

  • 24 track digital portable recording system and speakers
  • Timpani
  • Additional drum kits and Percussion
  • Grand piano
  • Hall sound system

Practise Rooms

The department has 6 practice rooms used extensively in curriculum time but also used by students doing extra-curricular music and by visiting instrumental teachers.

Sound and Book Library

The music department has a comprehensive recording and music reference library which is used by all staff and students. This is extensively stocked with the latest classroom and extra-curriculum materials.