At Shoeburyness we run a successful music department, with a tradition of good wind and choral ensembles.

In year 7 we teach:

• Basic knowledge – Instruments of the orchestra.
• Musical Elements
• Note reading
• Rhythm reading
• How to write a melody using notation.

We also run a band method programme that enables students to learn wind instruments as part of their KS3 curriculum. They will learn:

• Band Method – Basic skills.
• Learning to read and play music on selected instrument.
• Learning music theory (above and beyond simple notation)

In year 8 we teach:

• Basic Knowledge – Intervals and chords
• Compositional techniques (Ostinatos, Fanfares and Call and Response)
• Continue how to read and play pieces of Music (simple)

Band Method students will:

• Band Method – Intermediate
• Learning to play both solo and ensemble music pre-grade 1/grade 1.  (AOS1 GCSE)
• Learning music theory (grade 1)

In year 9 we teach:

• Basic Knowledge –  Learning about more popular GCSE components AOS 4 and 5 (Jazz, Disco and Film)
• Continued recall of notation, sequencing.
• Last term spent on AOS5 conventions of rock and pop – 1950’s to present day.

Band Method students will:

• Band Method – Intermediate
• Learning to play both solo and ensemble music (for some) grade 3 and 4.  (AOS1 GCSE)
• Learning music theory (grade 2)
• Using computer software Logic to begin using learnt theory skills to complete GCSE styled compositions from set briefs.

At GCSE level (KS4) students will learn:

• Knowledge – AOS 1 – solo and ensemble performances. Composition (Coursework)
• AOS2 – Concerto through time
• AOS3 – Rhythms of the world
• AOS 4 – Film and Game Music
• AOS5 – Conventions of Rock and Pop

Please follow us on twitter @musicdep_shs

P. Heron       Head of Subject: Music

E. Harper       Head of Faculty:Creative Arts