Music
Meet the team:
Mr V Smith – Faculty Leader for Performing Arts & Media
After working in industry for over 18 years as an electrical engineer I decided to retrain as a music teacher, where I completed A level music, a licentiate diploma in directing as well as a degree with the open university. I have been teaching at Great Wyrley for 13 years. I began as a classroom teacher and during my time at Wyrley I have performed many roles within the pastoral system, finishing as Director of key stage 3 at the end of last year. I was given the opportunity to take over the role of Faculty leader for performing arts and media in September and I am really looking forward to re-establishing the faculty as one of the strengths of the school. It is my aim to give lots more opportunities to our students in all of the arts subjects as well as building a strong community ethos.
In my spare time I am the musical director for Great Wyrley Community Band and occasionally conduct other ensembles.
Mrs L Nardone – Lead Teacher of Music
I have been teaching at Great Wyrley for ten years and I am very proud of the work that the students continue to produce year after year in the Music department. I love my subject and feel privileged to be able to teach something that is so inspiring and shows the best of people.
I studied Music at GCSE, A Level and then at University and am passionate about passing on the experiences I had to others. I believe music is learnt best through performing and so we strive to make sure there are numerous opportunities for pupils to be involved in solo and ensemble music making both in and out of the classroom.
Through their studies in music, students will learn to work with others, communicate and be creative, whilst developing self-confidence and independence.
Key information to note:
Music is a member of the Performing Arts and Media faculty at Great Wyrley High School. Students receive 2 x lessons per fortnight in Key stage 3, 5 x lessons in Key stage 4 and 6 x lessons in Key stage 5. We offer AQA GCSE Music in years 10 and 11 and Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Performing in years 12 and 13.
Learning Journey:
An outline of what pupils will learn and when and how they will be assessed. Use the guidance below:
Year 7
|
Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
|
|
What knowledge, skills and understanding I will learn: |
Understanding Musical Notation, Performing using keyboards, Musical Elements, Singing |
World Music including African drumming & Indonesian Gamelan |
Blues, Improvisation and Composition, Singing Skills & Harmony |
|
How I will be assessed: |
Performing, Composing, Ensemble Work, Listening & Understanding |
Performing, Composing, Ensemble Work, Listening & Understanding |
Performing, Composing, Ensemble Work, Listening & Understanding |
|
Opportunities for wider learning: |
Arts Award Level 1 -Bronze Christmas Festival/Carol Concert Viva Voce, Ukulele Group |
School Musical Viva Voce, Ukulele Group |
Music Festival |
Year 8
|
Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
|
|
What knowledge, skills and understanding I will learn: |
Reggae, Performing an off-beat rhythm, Developing advanced keyboard skills |
Reggae, Composing an original song, Musical Structures |
Arranging using Garage band, Working as an Ensemble, Performance |
|
How I will be assessed: |
Performing, Ensemble Work, Listening & Understanding |
Performing, Composing, Ensemble Work, Listening & Understanding |
Performing, Composing, Ensemble Work, Listening & Understanding |
|
Opportunities for wider learning: |
Christmas Festival/Carol Concert Viva Voce, Ukulele Group |
School Musical Viva Voce, Ukulele Group |
Music Festival |
Year 9
|
Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
|
|
What knowledge, skills and understanding I will learn: |
Irish Jig composition, Indian Raga analysis and performance |
Song Composition, Composing Techniques using ICT |
Music and the Media |
|
How I will be assessed: |
Performing, Composing, Ensemble Work, Listening & Understanding |
Performing, Composing, Ensemble Work, Listening & Understanding |
Performing, Composing, Ensemble Work, Listening & Understanding |
|
Opportunities for wider learning: |
Christmas Festival/Carol Concert Viva Voce, Ukulele Group |
School Musical Viva Voce, Ukulele Group |
Music Festival |
Year 10
|
Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
|
|
What knowledge, skills and understanding I will learn: |
AoS 2 – Popular Music, Study Pieces – The Beatles ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ Performing solo Composing skills |
AoS 2 – Popular Music AoS 1 – Western Classical Tradition 1650-1910, Haydn’s Symphony 101 in D major ‘ The Clock’ Performing as an ensemble Composing skills |
AoS 1 Western Classical Tradition 1650-1910, Performing solo / ensemble Free Composition |
|
How I will be assessed: |
Listening & Understanding, Performing solo |
Listening & Understanding, Performing ensemble, Composing |
Listening & Understanding, Performing solo/ensemble, Composing |
|
Opportunities for wider learning: |
Christmas Festival/Carol Concert Viva Voce, Ukulele Group Soul Band |
School Musical Viva Voce, Ukulele Group Soul Band |
Music Festival Viva Voce, Ukulele Group Soul Band |
Year 11
|
Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
|
|
What knowledge, skills and understanding I will learn: |
AoS 3 Traditional Music, Performing solo/ensemble, Composing to a brief |
AoS 4 Western Classical Tradition since 1910, Performing solo/ensemble, Composing to a brief |
Listening Exam, Performing solo/ensemble, Composing |
|
How I will be assessed: |
Listening & Understanding, Performing solo/ensemble, Composing |
Listening & Understanding, Performing solo/ensemble, Composing |
Listening & Understanding, Performing solo/ensemble, Composing |
|
Opportunities for wider learning: |
Christmas Festival/Carol Concert Viva Voce, Ukulele Group Soul Band |
School Musical Viva Voce, Ukulele Group Soul Band |
Music Festival Viva Voce, Ukulele Group Soul Band |
Useful Links/Resources that will help to consolidate learning:
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/music/gcse/music-8271
https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zpf3cdm
Extra-curricular activities:
- Viva Voce (Singing group) All welcome - Tuesday lunchtime
- Ukulele Group All welcome - Wednesday lunchtime
- Soul Band Invitation only - Tuesday afterschool
- Bellissimo (Handbells) All welcome - Wednesday lunchtime
- Performance opportunities:
- Performing Arts & Media Christmas Festival – December
- Christmas carol Concert - December
- School Musical - July
- Year 13 Charity Talent Show - May
- Wyrley in the Park Summer Festival - July
