Music

KS3

KS3 music is built around a skills based music curriculum, where students are given the opportunity to learn about music from around the world and build skills each year on the piano or keyboard, ukulele, voice, music technology, eg. Sibelius, Mixcraft, as well as world music ensemble skills.

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

KS4 - GCSE

The GCSE music course follows the WJEC EDUQAS specification.

The WJEC Eduqas specification encourages an integrated approach to the three distinct disciplines of performing, composing and appraising through four interrelated areas of study.

Students will follow three components:

Component 1: Performing (30%)

Students are required to perform for 4-6 minutes on their main instrument as a soloist or ensemble or a mixture of both.  This component forms part of the non-examined assessment (coursework).

Component 2: Composing (30%)

Students are required to compose two compositions which last a total of 3-6 minutes.  One composition is set to a brief from the exam board.  This component forms part of the non-examined assessment (coursework).

Component 3: Appraising  (40%)

Students will learn about the following 4 areas of study, developing their skills during project based work. 

• The four areas of study are designed to develop knowledge and understanding of music through the study of a variety of genres and styles in a wider context.
• The Western Classical Tradition forms the basis of Musical Forms and Devices
• Music for Ensemble
• Film Music
• Popular Music provide an opportunity to look at contrasting styles and genres of music from Rock and Pop, musicals and Bangra.

This component is assessed via a listening exam at the end of Year 11

http://eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/music/

KS4 - NCFE Level 2

Level 2 Technical Award in Music Technology

This qualification enables learners to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of the music technology industry. It’s suitable for learners who are motivated and challenged by learning through hands-on experiences. The qualification will allow learners to gain practical skills in creating music using technology.

This qualification is aimed at 14-16 year olds with an interest in music production and recording and is designed to sit alongside GCSEs in the Key Stage 4 curriculum. It’s a vocational qualification equivalent to GCSE at grades A*-C.

The qualification provides an introduction to the music technology industry and enables learners to acquire, develop and apply the skills and knowledge required for further academic and/or vocational study.

The course will consist of using digital audio workstations, creating music and sound creation, as well as learning how to record and produce music.

KS5

The A Level music course follows the WJEC EDUQAS specification.

The WJEC Eduqas specification is designed to allow students to pursue their own musical interests.  Students develop skills in the three distinct but related disciplines of performing, composing and appraising, whilst having flexibility to specialise in either performing or composing. Learners may choose to apportion 10% of their assessment to either performing or composing as an in-depth study.

The WJEC Eduqas specification is designed to offer contrast and breadth as well as depth of study. Learners will engage with both classical and popular music.

All students will study the development of the symphony, engaging with landmark orchestral repertoire, which is important in developing knowledge and understanding of musical elements and language in context. Students will use the musical language of this period to compose one piece of music to a brief.

Learners will also choose one area of study from Pop and Rock, Musical Theatre and Jazz and one further area of study exploring the musical language and styles from either the early twentieth century or the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.

Component 1: Performing (25-35%)

Students are required to perform for 6-12 minutes on their main instrument as a soloist or ensemble or a mixture of both.  This component is examined by a visiting examiner at the end of Year 12/13

Component 2: Composing (25-35%)

Students are required to compose two-three compositions which last a total of 4-10 minutes.  One composition is set to a brief from the exam board.  This component forms part of the non-examined assessment (coursework).

Component 3: Appraising  (40%)

Students will learn about the following 3 areas of study, culminating in a 2 hour 15min exam at the end of course.

The  three areas of study are designed to develop knowledge and understanding of music through the study of a variety of genres and styles in a wider context.

1. The Western Classical Tradition -  The Development of the Symphony

2. Choose one of the following:

• Pop and Rock
• Musical Theatre
• Jazz

3. Choose one of the following:

Into the Twentieth Century - the music of Poulenc and Debussy

Into the Twenty-first Century - he music of living composers

http://eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/music/

Enrichment

Each year the music department arrange trips for all year groups.  In recent years, we have been to see:

• Wicked
• Les Miserables
• Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
• Miss Saigon
• Matilda
• London Philharmonic Orchestra
• Aladdin
• Phantom of Opera
• Dreamgirls

Planned trips for this academic year are:

• Waitress
• Mary Poppins

Extra Curricular Schedule

The music department at Prince William School has a proud reputation of outstanding music making.  Each week over one hundred students are involved in a variety of music groups, culminating in concerts throughout the year.

During the last year the following groups have formed part of our extra curricular schedule:

• Concert Band
• Training Band
• String Orchestra
• Jazz Band
• Flute Choir
• Close Harmony choir (auditioned)
• Singers Choir

Music groups are open to all students.

If you would like any further information, please contact Mr P Allen, Head of Music - pallen@princewilliamschool.co.uk

Instrumental/Vocal lessons

Thank you for your interest in music tuition at Prince William School.  Lessons are provided by the Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust (NMPAT) and teachers make 33 visits to the school during the academic year.  

Learning an instrument is an exciting and valuable experience that can lead to an enjoyable life-long skill.  Here at Prince William School, we have an excellent extra curricular schedule in the music department featuring some very high quality ensembles.  Our ensembles include:

• Concert Band
• Training Band
• Jazz Band
• Flute Choir
• String Orchestra
• Junior Choir
• Close Harmony Choir

All music groups are paid for by Prince William School at considerable cost and consequently, all students receiving instrumental or vocal lessons participate in extra-curricular groups as directed by myself, Mrs Swailes and the teaching staff from NMPAT. 

Students who participate in music groups, have the opportunity to visit London each year and see a West End Show!  Shows visited in recent years include Wicked!, Les Miserables, Phantom Of The Opera, Matilda, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Dreamgirls, Aladdin, Miss Saigon, Lion King and Waitress.

We currently offer the following choice of lessons during the academic year:

• Brass - trumpet, cornet, french horn, tenor horn, trombone, baritone, euphonium, tuba.
• Woodwind - flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone.
• Upper Strings - violin, viola.
• Lower Strings - cello, double bass.
• Guitar - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar.
• Piano / Keyboard
• Drum kit
• Voice

Information regarding instrumental / vocal tuition from September 2022 will be updated shortly.