Curriculum Team Leader
Mr Chris Rodaway (c.rodaway@tgs.starmat.uk)
We encourage students to learn to play a musical instrument as we have a great belief in the benefits this can have on all aspects of a young person’s education and wellbeing. We can facilitate individual or group lessons lasting 20 or 30 minutes delivered by our team of visiting specialist instrumental teachers. Lessons currently available for voice, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, drum kit and piano.
We use the North Yorkshire Music Hub for all our instrumental and vocal lessons as they give discounts for various levels of income and we can support students receiving Pupil Premium funding. Please see the information below for more details:
Instrumental & Vocal Tuition (Sept 2023)Key Stage 3
All students receive one hour of music a week in Years 7 – 9.
Key Stage 4
Music GCSE
At GCSE we follow the Eduqas specification which comprises the three components below.
Component 1 – Performing.
Students give a solo and group performance with a minimum combined time of 4 minutes.
Component 1 makes up 30% of the GCSE grade.
Component 2 – Composing.
Students submit 2 compositions. One of which is a free composition and one is in response to a given brief with a combined duration of 3-6 minutes.
Component 3 makes up 30% of the GCSE grade.
Component 3 – Appraising.
Students listen to and identify key features of music from following areas of study:
AoS1 -Musical Forms and devices
AoS2 – Music for Ensemble
AoS3 – Film Music
A0S4 – Popular Music
Component 3 makes up 40% of the GCSE grade.
Key Stage 5
Music A Level
We teach the AQA A level music specification which comprises the three components below. We have a dedicated teaching space with piano, keyboards and music computers running sibelius and cubase software.
Component 1 – Appraising Music.
Students listen to and analyse music from the following Areas of Study:
AoS1 – The Western CLassical Tradition
AoS4 – Music for Theatre
AoS 5 – Jazz
Component 1 makes up 40% of the A level grade
Component 2 – Performance.
Students give a performance lasting a minimum of ten minutes
Component 2 makes up 35% of the A level grade
Component 3 – Composition.
Students submit 2 compositions. One of which is a free composition and one is in response to a given brief.
Component 3 makes up 25% of the A level grade
Extra-curricular
Students are encouraged to extend their musical experience and enjoyment by joining one or more of the groups which rehearse at lunchtime or after school each week. Current ensembles include: Concert Band, Big Band, Pop Choir, Chamber Choir, Saxophone Ensemble, Ukulele Group and Jam Club. There is a group for everyone whether they have plenty or musical experience or are just beginning their musical journey.