Music

Head of Department: Mr. Harrison

 

Department Background
 Music plays a central role in the life of Latymer.  Many pupils are attracted to the school, not just because of the academic excellence, but also because of the considerable opportunities that exist in the arts, both in the curriculum and in ‘extra-curricular’ activities.  Central to the work of everyone in the Music Department is a desire to encourage pupils to give their very best at whatever level they can achieve.  The result is an enormous number of pupils involved in musical activities of one kind or another and of a very high quality, culminating in the almost professional standards of some of the most able pupils.

Year 7 - 9
 All pupils study music as part of the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum.  In Year 7 pupils are taught in whole class groups, having four lessons (two singles and a double) in each two-week cycle.  In Years 8 and 9 pupils are taught in two half-class groups of mixed ability, having one double lesson in each two-week cycle.  Year 9 classes receive an extra double period, alternating each half term with Art; these Extra Music lessons are geared towards music technology, each pupil completing three projects over the course of the year using Sonar and Sibelius software.  

Projects in Music for Key Stage 3 are completed each half term, usually lasting for three double lessons.  The emphasis is on practical music-making wherever possible, with differentiation to cater for all levels of ability.  Projects include classical, jazz, pop and world music, with assessment usually made every half term of pupils’ progress through performing, composing and listening activities.
Year 10 - 11
 Edexcel GCSE Music is taught to two groups (typically 35 pupils per year) of equal ability each year, both groups working with their teacher on concurrent topics.  Pupils are taught the three areas of Performing, Composing and Listening, across the four Areas of Study.  Solo and ensemble performing takes place in lessons and Chamber Concerts; composition is taught in various styles and set works (analysed through various activities) cover a broad range of styles.
 Sixth Form

 Typically we have about 17 music students in Year 12 and 13 in Year 13.  For Edexcel AS level Music students take three units, covering performance, composition (harmony exercise and free composition), aural and history/analysis.  All students take the AS exam at the end of Year 12.  Lesson content reflects the diverse range of requirements.

At A2 Music students present a 12-15 minute recital; complete further composition, including an extended pastiche exercise; and study in greater depth a range of extracts from the anthology.  

All sixth-form musicians are expected to involve themselves fully in the musical life of the school and there are various opportunities for them to perform in and direct their own instrumental and choral groups.

 Activities
 The extra-curricular life of the music department is very rich, providing many valuable opportunities for those studying music at all levels to experience the excitement of live performance.  The aim of the department is to provide an opportunity for as many pupils as possible to perform in an ensemble of some kind appropriate to their ability.

Auditions for many of the groups are held at the end of each academic year (beginning of the year for pupils new to the School) by the Heads of Section and full-time staff.  The weekly extra-curricular music rehearsal timetable includes rehearsals for five orchestras (Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia, Concert Orchestra, Wind Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra), three choirs (Senior Choir, Chamber Choir and Junior Singers, Concert Band, Jazz Band; and a number of smaller ensembles and choral groups meet on a regular basis, such as Junior Strings,  (Senior Choir, Chamber Choir and Junior Singers, Concert Band, Jazz Band; and a number of smaller ensembles and choral groups meet on a regular basis, such as Junior Strings,  (Senior Choir, Chamber Choir and Junior Singers, Concert Band, Jazz Band; and a number of smaller ensembles and choral groups meet on a regular basis, such as Junior Strings, woodwind and brass ensembles, guitar groups and saxophone groups.

There are five large scale concerts every year, seven Chamber Concerts, a Pop, Jazz and All That evening, Carol Service, Carol Singing at Trafalgar Square, a solo instrumental performance competition, biennial House Music competition and opportunities for performances in full and year assemblies.

Recent trips have included Year 12 performing in local primary schools and a Music Tour to Belgium and Holland (Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Choir – July 2010).