Curriculum Plan for Parents – Year9
Subject / MUSIC / Contact Person / Mrs V. Collier
Half term and topic / Your child will learn.... / Key Homework / Assessment
Autumn
Theory 3 – A
Composing 3 – A
Listening 3 – A
Performing 3 – A / Revision of musical signs and developing understanding of note values including:
  • Dotted notes, triplets and syncopated rhythms
  • Following/clapping/ composing rhythm patterns
World Music (Samba)
  • Geographical context
  • Fashion/social issues
  • Traditional instruments
  • The role of the Apito
  • Use of layering sound
  • Simple and complex rhythm patterns
  • Use of Call and Response and Question and Answer
  • Transition between musical sections
  • Using sequencing software (Cubase) to compose
  • Compose an original ‘Samba inspired’ piece
  • Evaluate success and process of composition
Developing aural ability and recognition of musical features:
  • Comparing more complex musical features
  • Recognition of musical devices
  • Describing musical elements
  • Identifying instrumentation
  • Recognising metres
Using music technology to record performance work in the composition task:
  • Timing
  • Quantising
  • Accuracy
/ Musical Sums using dotted and tied notes
Revision for assessment
End of composition evaluation
Definitions of musical terms covered in listening assessments
Wordsearch to find the same musical terms
Practice / Written test
Assessment of composition
Series of 3 listening tests
Live performance
Spring
Theory 3 – B
Composing 3 – B
Listening 3 – B
Performing 3 – B / Revision of music notation and developing understanding basic music notation instructions including:
  • Understanding Italian terms for dynamics and tempo instructions
  • Articulation signs eg slur/staccato etc
  • Other musical signs eg DS/DC, Coda, fermata etc
Film Music
  • Use of chromaticism
  • Use of cluster chords
  • Use of regular and irregular sounds
  • Investigating ways to create tension with sound
  • Investigating use of instrumental timbres to create tension
  • Experimenting with sound effects
  • Creating sound to follow actions
Developing aural ability and recognition of musical features:
  • Recognising musical timbres
  • Recognising musical structures
  • Recognising musical genres
  • Recognising musical devices
  • Following patterns in music
  • Identifying errors in pitch and rhythm from notation
  • Describing elements of music
Using music technology to record performance work in the composition:
  • Timing
  • Quantising
  • Accuracy
/ Revision for assessment
End of composition evaluation
Revision for Mid-Year Exam
Practice / Written test
Assessment of composition
Mid-Year Exam
Accuracy of recorded solo performance
Summer
Theory 3 – C
Composing 3 – C
Listening 3 – C
Performing 3 – C / Revision of note names and developing understanding basic music notation including:
  • Use of ledger lines
  • Use of tab notation
  • Following/singing/ composing melodies
Applying theory learning of notation to compose warm-up exercises for keyboard and guitar with consideration to key for performance work
Developing aural ability and recognition of musical features:
  • Identifying differences through aural awareness
  • Understanding of traditional features
  • World music – predicting what would be heard
  • Vocal and instrumental groups/ensembles
  • Recognising changes in texture
  • Comparison of musical excerpts
Keyboard Skills – 3/Blues Music
Revision of keyboard layout and enharmonic keys
  • Developing hand position and posture
  • Applying learning from theory (following pitch and rhythms)
  • Developing use of Right Hand and Left Hand to play the keyboard
  • Developing use of independent fingers
  • Revision of use of finger numbers on notation
  • Practice techniques
  • Practical skills to play/recordmelody, harmony and bass lines of a Blues piece
  • Musical history: origins of Blues Music and Blues Performers
Guitar Skills – 3
Revision of parts of the instrument and tab notation.
  • Following chord progressions
  • Following strumming patterns
  • Playing with increasing dexterity
  • Playing with increasing fluency
/ Notes on, above and below the Treble and Bass Staves
Revision for assessment
Create a 4-bar warm-up exercise for keyboard
Revision for End of Year Exam
Practise parts ready for ensemble performance/ recording in computer software (paper layout of keyboard provided and keyboard club on offer)
Practise for guitar performance (guitar club on offer) / Written test
Assessment of composition
End of Year Exam
Assessment of Blues multi-track piece
Practical assessment of playing accompaniment chords for a popular song