Welcome to Music
Staff
- Ms K Blackwood (Faculty Head)
- Mrs L Lockens (Acting Pupil Support)
- Mrs H Pride
- Mr R Paterson
- Ms R Marshall
- Mrs C Thomson (Area Cover)
- Ms A MacMillan (NQT)
Why choose music?
Music provides learners with rich opportunities to be creative and to experience inspiration and enjoyment. Performing and creating music will be the prominent activities for all learners. Through these activities, they develop their vocal and instrumental skills, explore sounds and musical concepts, and use their imagination and skills to create musical ideas and compositions. They can further develop their understanding and capacity to enjoy music through listening to musical performances and commenting on them. They use ICT to realise or enhance their composition and performance, and to promote their understanding of how music works.
Music is a broad field and there are lots of career choices, with jobs in teaching or music therapy, production, promotion, management as well as performance.
Music can also contribute towards a richness of experience which is highly valued by employers in areas beyond the music industry.
S1-S2
In the music department in 1st and 2nd year, your child will have the opportunity to develop listening and composition skills as well as learning to play a variety of classroom instruments including:
- Keyboard
- Tuned Percussion
- Guitar (Acoustic and Bass) (Tablature and chord diagrams)
- Drumkit
- Voice
They will also develop vocal skills and learn about reading music and understanding musical symbols and terminology.
Pupils learn to play, listen, compose and read music through the study of a variety of Topics and Musical Styles:
-
S1 – Instruments of the Orchestra
-
S2 – World music, Blues and Jazz, Film Music and Rock and Pop
Each topic lasts approximately 6 weeks. At the end of each topic pupils are assessed on performing skills and understanding music (listening and literacy).
Homework
Homework tasks are issued to support the listening and literacy elements of the course. The course in S1/2 is topic based. Each topic lasts for approximately six weeks and a series of compulsory Home Learning tasks (including historical and cultural context, musical literacy and musical concepts) are issued throughout the session.
In addition pupil are encouraged where possible to access alternative sources e.g. books, internet, family discussions etc in order to reinforce the knowledge of each topic.
Homework is marked by the class teacher.
Pupils taking instrumental instruction are expected to practise on a daily basis.
S3 Music Performance
In S3 all pupils will follow a Music course as part of a Broad General Education, covering Level 4 outcomes and experiences. During S3, pupils will also overtake some of the National 4 and National 5 outcomes.
Further details of units and course content can be obtained from:-
https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47387.html
https://www.npfs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/nutshells_music_N4_E.pdf
Assessment of Course
The course will be assessed throughout the session by teachers as appropriate to the subject and level of study. Assessments may include a combination of practical work, case studies, examinations and projects.
Progression
At the end of S3 pupils will progress to a course leading onto a qualification at National 3, National 4 or National 5.
At the end of S4 pupils could choose from the following progression routes:
- A pupil achieving National 3 may progress to National 4
- A pupil achieving National 4 may progress to National 5
- A pupil achieving National 5 may progress to Higher
These routes are, of course, suggestions and are provisional. Progress is essentially subject to the pupils’ continued potential towards improvement with their chosen instrument(s).
Homework
Daily practice is encouraged in addition to listening and appreciating music through attendance at musical performances, and involvement in the extra curricular work of the department.
Assignments may be required with deadlines for completion. Pupils will be required to undertake tasks in their own time but using school equipment. This will, almost certainly, involve lunchtimes and after school.
Equipment
All necessary specialist musical equipment can be provided, although, of course, many pupils will already own their own instrument.
On occasion, some music may be required to be ordered and purchased (this can be arranged through discussion with department staff).
All pupils are expected to have a pen, pencil and eraser with them for all lessons.
S3 Music Technology
Music Technology comprises a new suite of Courses that supplement technology work covered by pupils in S1 and S2. It contributes to the conclusion of their Broad General Education during S3, then offering progression from National 3 through to Higher. The courses complement more traditional Music (Performance) Courses, developing learners' technological skills and understanding of music concepts in a range of contexts.
Learners will develop basic skills in the use of music technology hardware and software to capture and manipulate audio. They will also be able to use music technology creatively in sound production and to develop an understanding of a range of 20th and 21st century music styles and genres. Courses will allow students to develop skills and knowledge relevant to the needs of the music industry.
Course
In S3 all pupils will follow a Music Technology course as part of a broad general education, covering Level 4 outcomes and experiences. During S3 pupils will also overtake some of the National 4 and National 5 outcomes.
Learning experiences will include -
- Planning, Rehearsal and Direction (Enhance performance)
- Recording (Using music technology)
- Production (Mixing and Editing)
- Creating and enhancing music using software.
- Listening to music and learning about the technological developments in the 20th and 21st century.
Project work may include -
- Working on recording skills and techniques. This includes setting up recording equipment, using the mixing desk and learning about correct microphone placement.
- Using Reaper, Cubase, Audacity, Logic or Pro Tools to manipulate pre recorded music.
- Creating a Radio Broadcast which should include:
- Recording an interview, setting up at least 2 microphones.
- Creating an advert using the sound effects on Garageband and recording vocals.
- Imputing any sound effects and pre recorded music.
- Mixing and editing all of the above.
- Creating a Synth Pop track using plug-ins on DAWs.
Further details of units and course content can be obtained from:-
https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/56949.html
https://www.npfs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/nutshells_musictechnology_N4.pdf
Assessment of Course
The course will be assessed throughout the session by teachers as appropriate to the subject and level of study. Assessments may include a combination of practical work, case studies, examinations and projects.
Progression
At the end of S3 pupils will progress to a course leading onto a qualification at National 3, National 4 or National 5.
At the end of S4 pupils could choose from the following progression routes:
- A pupil achieving National 3 may progress to National 4
- A pupil achieving National 4 may progress to National 5
- A pupil achieving National 5 may progress to Higher
These routes are, of course, suggestions and are provisional. Progress is essentially subject to the pupils’ continued potential towards improvement.
Homework
Assignments may be required with deadlines for completion. Pupils may be required to undertake tasks in their own time but using school equipment. This may also involve lunchtimes and after school.
Equipment
All necessary specialist equipment is provided.
S3 Creative Industries
Overview
Creative Industries is a Skills for Work course which explores the Arts within the Creative Industries. The course is designed to link broadly to the Creative Industries sector and provides some of the underpinning knowledge required for the industry. The course also gives students experience of the practical skills required to work within the sector and helps prepare them for further training. The course introduces students to the Creative Industries, and works towards a creative project. The theme of the project is chosen by the students and they have to work both independently and in different groups to put together the project.
The course focuses on developing very basic knowledge and understanding of practical aspects of the creative industries. It is aimed at those who may want to explore the many activities and opportunities available in the creative industries sector,
Learners will gain an awareness of the opportunities and jobs in the different sectors — and they will develop transferable employability skills, including:
- an understanding of the workplace and the employee's responsibilities (eg time-keeping, appearance, customer care)
- self-evaluation skills
- positive attitude to learning
- flexible approaches to solving problems
- adaptability and positive attitude to change
- confidence to set goals, reflect and learn from experience
- skills to become effective job-seekers and employee
Course structure
Pupils will develop skills through a variety of active learning, co-operative learning and self-evaluation.
Assessment
There are 4 Units to complete during class time. There is no exam at the end and students are awarded a pass for each Unit they successfully complete.
Student work is individually reviewed during an interview. Students also have to self- evaluate their skills for work and set themselves targets throughout the course. The assessment process is continuous throughout the year.
Senior Phase - Music Performance
The Music department offers National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses.
All NQ music courses are designed to serve the needs of those who:
· wish to study the subject as part of a general education
· wish to pursue a leisure interest in music
· intend to follow a career in music
The performing skills, conceptual knowledge and understanding, and creative use of compositional techniques which form the content of Courses in Music at NQ levels, build on skills and knowledge developed at National 4. Performing continues to be at the centre of these courses.
Performing
Candidates will have the opportunity to develop performance skills in one of the combinations below:
· two instruments
· one instrument and voice
· one instrument/voice and accompanying
In addition to taking one of the above options, all candidates will take mandatory Units in Composing and Listening.
Recommended Entry
A student with a PASS at National 4 might expect to undertake National 5.
A student with a pass (preferably, but not exclusively, an A or B) at National 5 might expect to undertake Higher.
A student with a pass (preferably an A or B) at Higher might expect to undertake Advanced Higher.
However all students should discuss with music staff whether their balance of skills are sufficient to move on as suggested above.
Progression
These courses or their units may provide progression to
· courses/units at the level above
· Higher National programmes (HND/HNC)
· Higher Education (degree courses)
· Any course for which NQ Music might be accepted as an entry qualification
· Training or employment
Course Content and Assessment
All students must undertake and pass three Units in:
· Performing
· Composing
· Understanding Music
The course mark awarded will be based on an allocation of;
- 60 % of marks to Performing, equally weighted between the two elements. [30 + 30]
- 40 % of marks to an external Listening paper.
Senior Phase - Music Technology
For Higher Music Technology you will have four parts of the course. You will cover:
- Music Technology Skills (This is all about setting up different microphones/placement/stereo recordings/how to get the best ambiance/recording problems)
- Mixing and Editing (This is using the software to enhance your recordings correctively or creatively. For Example using EQ to bring out certain frequencies to give it the sound more space or make it sound tinny, etc or to add Reverb to make it sound as though it is in a different room)
- Music Technology in Context (This is what type of project you will be completing Radio Broadcast/Audio Book/ Film Foley/Multi-track)
- Understanding 20th and 21st Century Music (This will include learning about different Music Genres such as Jazz-Funk and Soul Music. You will learn how to identify different technology and music concepts when listening to Music)
There are two assessments in order for you to achieve your final Higher Music Technology.
Assignment= 70%
Listening Question Paper= 30%
Assignment
The assignment which you complete in class is worth 70% of your overall grade. Before you start your project you will complete parts 1,2 and 3 from above. This is where you will gain the skills in order to complete your project. Your project will be either an Audio Book, Radio Broadcast or Film Foley WITH a multi-track in the project.
Question Paper
This will be an exam that you sit in May. It is a short question paper where you identify different genres and concepts which you have learned throughout the year.
Recommended Entry
A student with a pass (preferably, but not exclusively, an A or B) at National 5 might expect to undertake Higher.
Please read the following document from the SQA about the course. This is a more in depth description on the course.
https://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/HigherCourseSpecMusicTech.pdf
Musical Theatre - NPA (SCQF Level 6)
Course Outline
The National Progression Award in Musical Theatre will be delivered within our Performing Arts Faculty, across both our Music and Drama Departments. The NPA in Musical Theatre is designed to equip candidates with an introduction to the knowledge, understanding and skills required for progression to further qualifications and/or potential employment within the performing arts industry. The Award enables learners to develop a range of skills associated with musical theatre across music, acting and dancing.
The NPA in Musical Theatre is suitable for learners who have an interest and/or experience in Musical Theatre. The course is assessed at SCQF Level 6 (the same as Higher) and it is a suggested pathway, though not exclusively, leading on from National 5 or Higher Music, Drama or Dance.
Assessment
Pupils must complete three units in order to achieve the course award:
- Unit 1 - Acting Through Song
- Unit 2 – Solo Singing Skills OR Group Singing Skills OR Preparation for Audition
- Unit 3 – Group Dance Performance
The assessment for this qualification is ongoing and internally assessed. The majority of assessment is practical based with some written assignments and projects.
