Welcome to the Music Department

“Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind and life to everything.”

Plato

At KS4 we study the OCR GCSE Music syllabus. Students complete non-examined assessments (NEA) in solo and ensemble performance and composition. Alongside NEA, students study the content required for the listening examination. This includes aspects of music theory and four areas of study. These focus on film music, development of popular music, rhythms of the world and concertos. The music curriculum at Archbishop Ilsley provides all students with the opportunity to be a musician in the classroom. Our curriculum ensures that students gain an understanding of the musical processes and practices used in different genres and in musical cultures throughout the world while learning skills in performance, composition and music appraisal.

The study of music goes beyond the study of the subject itself. Our students gain a wide range of transferable skills through the study of music such as teamwork, social skills and listening skills. Learning an instrument and composing music requires self-regulation, resilience and patience. It is proven that the study of music has benefits for students’ concentration, memory and self-esteem. These are emphasised to students in relation to character education in school.

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Welcome to the Music Department

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