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Notre Dame High School

Notre Dame
High School

Music

Why study Music?

 

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The Music Department is at the heart of the school community.  All music students take an active part in the busy musical life of the school.  A level music students are eligible for a subsidised weekly half hour instrumental lesson from a visiting specialist teacher.

We have a large team of highly experienced visiting teachers and regularly enter pupils for Associated Board, Guildhall, Trinity and Rock School exams and diplomas.

The department boasts excellent facilities with two large music rooms, several practice rooms and a computer music suite, running Sibelius, Dorico and Cubase composition/ recording software with high specification keyboards. This facility is used extensively for composition at A Level.

Why our students like this course

 ‘There is a great balance of theory, composition and performance throughout the course…’       

'Music is definitely the most well rounded A-Level I take: the teaching is wonderful and we cover most different aspects of music.  There is a great balance of theory, composition and performance throughout the course which means that you have a good basis to go on and study music at a higher level.  The extra-curricular clubs mean that we get the opportunity to perform in ensembles or as a soloist which is wonderful experience too.'

Entry Requirements

Either a GCSE in this subject Or Grade 5 Theory and Grade 5 Practical in standard.

Exam Board
Eduqas (for Y12 from Sept 2022)
Edexcel (historic for current Year 13 2022/23)

Course Structure 

Y12 Half Term Unit 1: Performance Unit 2: Composition Unit 3 Appraising
Autumn 1 Assessed performance: Sixth Form Chamber Concert Exploring Western Classical tradition composition: Writing a melody

Score reading, notation and keys

Baroque, Rococo and early Classical periods and Classical structures including sonata form

The origin and development of Rock and Pop with a focus on 1960s
Autumn 2   Exploring Western Classical tradition composition: Texture, harmony and modulation

Scales, chords, cadences,

key relations and modulations

The Symphony in the Classical period and Haydn Symphony 104, mvmts 1 and 2

Developments in Rock and Pop 1960s and 1970s

Spring 1 Assessed performance in class

Composition to a brief: Responding to a brief, melody creation and development

Key signatures, modulations and intervals

The symphony in the Classical period and Haydn Symphony 104, mvmts 3 and 4

Developments in Rock and Pop 1970s

Spring 2  

Composition to a brief: Chords and cadences, texture and harmony

Intervals in depth

The symphony in the late Classical /early Romantic periods and Mendelssohn’s 4th h Symphony

Developments in Rock and Pop 1980s

Summer 1 Assessed performance in class Refining brief compositions: Structure and form and modulation.

Transposition and transposing instruments and rhythmic dictation

20C styles including expressionism/ serialism, impressionism and neoclassicism and Poulenc’s Trio

Developments in Rock and Pop 1980s

Summer 2   Refining brief compositions

Melodic dictation and exam technique

20C stylistic features of  expressionism/ serialism, impressionism and neoclassicism and Debussy’s Nuages

Developments in Rock and Pop revision from 1960s - 1990s

 

Y13 Half Term Unit 1: Performance Unit 2: Composition Unit 3: Appraising
Autumn 1      
Autumn 2      
Spring 1      
Spring 2      
Summer 1      

Where does this subject lead to? 

Nearly all music degree courses at universities, colleges and music conservatoires require A Level Music.  Music can also raise candidates profile and make them stand out from other applicants for other subject courses. Additionally, many students benefit from gaining a vast array of transferable skills from studying music and this is also recognised by higher educational establishments as well as employers.  Instrumental exams, such as ABRSM music exam, count as UCAS points and many pupils who enjoy A Level Music go on to study different subjects or take vocational routes into higher education.

You can watch a great series of videos of people who are working in jobs that use music at icould.

For example university degree courses and careers leading from this subject click here.

Creative Industries: explore a wide selection of creative careers

Apprenticeship courses: Info on what an apprenticeship is and courses available

 

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Norwich University of the Arts
NUA is a dynamic and creative community providing arts, design, architecture and media education.

Peripatetic Lessons 

If you would like your child to receive instrumental/vocal lessons in school, we offer lessons in the following instruments: Bass Guitar, Guitar, Singing, Drums, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Recorder, Oboe, Bassoon, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Trumpet, Trombone, Cornet, French Horn, Tenor Horn, Euphonium, Tuba, Piano and Jazz Piano. 

From September 2023, the school will offer subsidies for the following students/instruments: 

  • Orchestral instruments (brass, woodwind, orchestral strings) 
  • Students who are studying A Level or GCSE music 
  • Students who are eligible for pupil premium/ free school meals 

All remaining students/ instruments will continue to be taught by a qualified, experienced teacher, but will receive no subsidy. 

Music lesson Fees from September 2023: 

  • non-subsidised music lessons will be £140 a term for eleven 20-minute individual lessons (for piano, jazz piano, drums, guitar and singing).  
  • Orchestral music lessons will be £98 a term for eleven 20-minute individual lessons 
  • GCSE music students’ lessons will be £98 a term for eleven 20-minute individual lessons 
  • A level music students’ lessons will be £98 a term for eleven 30-minute individual lessons 
  • Music lessons will be fully funded for children eligible for pupil premium and Sixth Form Bursary students. 

For students eligible for a subsidy, please note the following stipulations: 

  • Only one subsidy is available per student 
  • Students receiving a subsidy will be expected to regularly attend one of the extra-curricular music clubs on offer in school as a condition of this. Non-attendance will result in a loss of subsidy and therefore lessons will be charged at full price.  

Once your child is allocated a place you will receive an invoice at the start of term. Lessons are delivered during term time on a rotational basis and take place during the hours of a normal school day. We require half a term’s notice for cancellation of lessons. 

Priority is given to students who are already taking lessons and wish to continue. After this, new applicants are allocated lessons on a first come first served basis. Any pupils who cannot be timetabled for lessons will immediately be placed on a waiting list. 

If you need to hire an instrument, Norfolk Music Service may be able to provide your child with one free of charge, subject to availability. You will however be responsible for the maintenance of the instrument. Please refer to the school's Peripatetic Music Instrument Policy

To apply for lessons please click and complete the online google form.  Please also refer to the school's Peripatetic Music Instrument Policy.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to get in touch with Mrs Selwood, Head of Music kselwood@ndhs.org.uk  

Contact a teacher 

If you have any subject specific questions that you'd like to ask.  You are very welcome to contact the relevant Head of Subject.  To find their email address click on Teaching Staff.  For general enquiries, contact the 6th Form Team.

Induction Resources

 Please view the Transition Booklet below to help you to prepare for starting our course in September.