Music
A thriving, vibrant and creative hub, this specialist music department nurtures talent and interest to inspire high quality music making and maximise achievement. Superb opportunities to showcase our students have included professional collaborations at prestigious venues. For example, St. John's, Smith Square in March 09 and the Barbican Centre in February 09 (world premiere) with Crouch End Festival Chorus. AS music students sustained an intriguing partnership with students from the Purcell School - a specialist school for gifted musicians, focussing on composition, peformance and competition throughout the academic year. In June 09 Year 7 students completed a highly successful collaboration with The English Pocket Opera Company in a public performance of Rossini's Cinderella.
Learning traces the history of music in classical, popular and world genres, strengthened by a wider experience of music in the community and the music profession. The curriculum challenges musicianship, technical skill and intellectual application through diversity, detail and high expectations. The popularity of Music is reflected in the large numbers that opt to study the subject at KS4 and KS5, with growing numbers entering music conservatoires and pursuing careers in the music profession.
A fully equipped recording studio enables students to engage in high level composition, recording and sequencing work. Since the introduction of BTEC music technology the department has fostered professional links with The Roundhouse, leading to a collaboration with top professional producer Jim Carey who broadcast students' work on BBC3.
With a a highly dedicated and expert team of 4 music staff and 20 visiting instrumental/ vocal teachers, excellent opportunities exist for ensembles and extension activities, with a real focus on seeking out and nurturing talent. The range of extra curricular music groups are extensive, plus an array of independent groups formed by highly-motivated students. Over 250 students benefit from high quality individual instrumental/ vocal lessons that take place each week. International music tours are a highlight of our calendar. Previous tours have included: Italy, France, Ireland, Spain, China, and most recently Salzburg in October 08. In September 2008 the department launched the new FMC (Fortismere Music Centre) on Saturday mornings. This is an exciting new venture offering students and the local community instrumental/ vocal tuition, workshops, seminars and performance opportunities. A state-of-the-art new Music Block is scheduled for 2010 and will complete the 'Arts Complex' in North wing.
KS3 - Examples of topics covered
Musical Elements & the Classroom Orchestra
Word Setting and Melody writing
Music technology
Harmony: chords and chord progressions
Music in the Media
Twentieth Century Art Music & World Dance Music
KS4 - Exam board = Edexcel 2MU01 www. edexcel.com
4 topics: 1. Western classical music 1600-1899
2. Music in the 20th century 3. Popular Music
4. World Music
Unit 1 = Performing music 30%
Unit 2 = Composing music 30%
Unit 3 = Listening and Appraising paper 40%
Post 16
Exam Board = Edexcel 8MU01 (new specification Sep 2008) www.edexcel.com
AS Music
Unit 1 = Performing
Unit 2 = Composition
Unit 3 = Developing Musical Understanding
A2 Music
Unit 4 = Performing
Unit 5 = Composition and Technical Study
Unit 6 = Further Musical Understanding
Extra Curricular
