Music Department

Music is taught in 2 Rooms. An extra rehearsal room is used for practical work or peripatetic Music staff use it for instrumental tuition.

We have a wide range of electronic keyboards, drum kit. We are now equipped with 10 computers, 5 of them with Sibelius program and are linked to keyboards for various music work.

Clubs

Students who would like to participate in extra musical activities may attend The Sanders Draper School Choir, Small Ensembles. Students have plenty of opportunity to perform i.e. The Christmas Carol Concert, Summer Musical/Show and various presentation evenings.

Courses

Years 7, 8 & 9 have 50 minutes per week. (Music is available as a GCSE option in Year 10 and 11). A wide range of projects cover Composing, Performing and Listening Appraising to music as prescribed by the National Curriculum.

Composing

Year 7 - Students begin this difficult component at the start of the Music course. They are eased in very gently. This ranges from working in groups to perform different pieces of music to individual composition.

Year 8 - Students study music from different countries and times. They then work in pairs, groups and individually to produce more advanced work based around this theme.

Year 9 - Students study film music and other styles of music. They then produce their own composition and perform

Performing

Every year group performs a range of music, from Classical to current chart music. The Music Department is committed to practical music making.

Listening

Each Year group listens to and studies various types of music. Classical music is introduced here.

Assessment is an ongoing process. It covers both written and practical assignments and is designed to cover the National Curriculum 'Programmes of Study' statements. These are completed by the teacher and student.

Examinations

Students in every Year group receive a written paper and performance assessment annually. These they do in pairs, groups and individually.

Instrumental Tuition

Every child is given the opportunity to learn an instrument.

Lessons are of 20 minutes duration and undertaken Individally. Students are given a time during the day, then their lessons are rotated by 20 minutes every week so as not to affect any one lesson unduly. Tuition costs are paid per term or half term if preferred. Students receive annual reports and may be entered for external Associated Board Examinations at the discretion of the tutor. The possession of an own instrument is necessary, although various schemes are available. (i.e. Rental of instrument.)

The Future

The smooth running of the department will be maintained, but we are always looking at ways to improve and enhance this further via the purchasing of modern equipment, cross curricular links, liaison between ourselves and primary schools, extra curricular activities and the use of our computer.

Staff

Mrs G Lee  Head of Department