Music

Head of Department – Mrs Evonne M Pellow

Music is a powerful, unique form of communication that can change the way pupils feel, think and act. It brings together intellect and feeling and enables personal expression, reflection and emotional development. As an integral part of culture, past and present, it helps pupils understand themselves and relate to others, forging important links between the home, school and the wider world. The teaching of music develops pupils’ ability to listen and appreciate a wide variety of music and to make judgements about musical quality. It encourages active involvement in different forms of music making, both individual and communal, developing a sense of group identity and togetherness. As an inclusive school the arts are a valuable means of developing confidence and communication skills, and facilitating expression, ideas and feelings. In addition, through purposeful, imaginative and ambitious activities, pupils learn to take managed risks, trying out new ideas and new ways of working without fear of failure.

We aim to develop over time, following the National Curriculum and Model Music Curriculum, a number of areas for all learners that are sequenced in such a way to build and strengthen skills over time. Foundation Learners will receive flexible access to the Music curriculum. The same topics are covered but the required level of performance will be adapted to suit the needs of the individual learner.

By the time a pupil leaves Holy Family, regardless of ability, they will have had the opportunity to:

take peripatetic lessons in an instrument of their choice
perform as part of a group including percussion, ukulele, steel pans, keyboard or choir
perform music in solo, duet and larger groups
learn how to use music technology software to record, edit, and develop their work
study how to compose music and create several pieces of their own work
study the work of famous composers from throughout music history and look at the development of music and musical instruments since the medieval period
study music theory throughout Key Stage 3, and in greater depth at KS4 should they choose music at GCSE level
develop an appreciation of music by learning how to critically listen to music, analyse and understand how music works
experience music in both live and recorded form, with enrichment from visiting live performances where appropriate

SEND Learners receive adapted access to the mainstream Music curriculum. The same topics are covered but the required level of performance will be adapted to suit the needs of the individual learner. Prior learning is ascertained for ALL learners, and the curriculum is adapted accordingly.

Music Curriculum Map

	AUTUMN 1	AUTUMN 2	SPRING 1	SPRING 2	SUMMER 1	SUMMER 2
YEAR 7	EXPLORING RHYTHM DEVELOPING AURAL DISCRIMINATION	USING MY VOICE	EXPLORING MELODY	EXPLORING HARMONY	WHAT MAKES A GOOD SONG	DEVELOPING SONG STRUCTURE
YEAR 8	EXPLORING CHORDS	DEVELOPING CHORDS & MELODY	EXPLORING SYNCOPATION	DEVELOPING AURAL DISCRIMINATION	EXPLORING TEXTURE & STRUCTURE	→→→→→→
YEAR 9	DEEPENING KNOWLEDGE OF MELODY, CHORDS & HARMONY	DEVELOPING CRITICAL ENGAGEMENT	EXPLORING 20^TH CENTURY	DEVELOPING CRITICAL ENGAGEMENT	EXPLORING MUSIC FOR FILM	DEVELOPING CRITICAL ENGAGEMENT
YEAR 10	LEVEL 1/2 TECH AWARD IN MUSIC	LEVEL 1/2 TECH AWARD IN MUSIC	LEVEL 1/2 TECH AWARD IN MUSIC	LEVEL 1/2 TECH AWARD IN MUSIC	LEVEL 1/2 TECH AWARD IN MUSIC	LEVEL 1/2 TECH AWARD IN MUSIC
YEAR 11	LEVEL 1/2 TECH AWARD IN MUSIC	LEVEL 1/2 TECH AWARD IN MUSIC	LEVEL 1/2 TECH AWARD IN MUSIC	LEVEL 1/2 TECH AWARD IN MUSIC

Key Stage 3

Music Key Stage 3 Curriculum Maps

Updated: 20/06/2023 67 KB

Updated: 20/06/2023 70 KB

Updated: 20/06/2023 67 KB

Key Stage 4

Music Key Stage 4 Curriculum Maps

Updated: 27/06/2023 23 KB

Updated: 27/06/2023 22 KB

Enrichment

The Music department offers educational trips to the theatre (including West End), orchestral concerts and regularly has visiting musicians to augment the delivery of Music. GCSE booster sessions are offered each week to enhance pupils learning and help with any difficulties they have encountered. Peripatetic lessons are offered weekly on the following instruments: woodwind, brass, lower and upper strings, drum kit, voice, electric and acoustic guitar. Pupils showcase their work throughout the year at various concerts, school celebrations and community events. There is a lively extra-curricular programme running weekly – choir, guitar club and percussion group are central for musical enrichment.

Spring Arts Review - 2024

This year's Holy Family High School Spring Arts Concert took place on Monday 25^th March, 2024 in the school hall and featured a tightly packed programme of music covering a wide range of styles. The two-hour show gave proud parents and pupils a chance to sample some of the work undertaken over the past months by the pupils and teaching staff.

The concert opened with a ‘Stand by Me’ mashup performed by the choir. Layering songs such as ‘Every Breath You Take’ and ‘Just the Way You Are’ by Bruno Mars.

Daisy Bond was performing in her seventh and final Spring Arts concert and sang ‘Defying Gravity’ which was enthusiastically received!

Evie Hardie performed a passionate version of ‘Part of Your World’, which left the audience stunned by her enthusiasm for singing.

Layla Sambrooks’ accomplished performance of ‘Yours’ by Ella Henderson was outstanding. She is definitely one to watch in the future!

The welcome addition of the Year 11 band playing ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ was the perfect close to the first half and left the audience wanting more. Exciting times ahead for this group as some venture on to LIPA to study Music.

Harry Cinnamond played a ‘Ballade’ on piano, but his secret love lies with the Vox Continental on which he offered an impromptu Ska number! There were contributions from Year 7, 8 & 9 vocal groups and this year there were some super duets from the Year 11 Music class.

Seasoned performers Alice Melling and Ruby Pellow came through again with a strong performance of ‘For Good’ from Wicked. Finally, a passionate performance by Ruby singing ‘Bring Him Home’ from Les Miserables. A reflective conclusion to a varied and entertaining evening.

In February, Mrs Pellow took a group of GCSE Music pupils to Manchester for three days. They had a wonderful time and enjoyed a variety of workshops and performances.

The Royal Northern College of Music

Our day at RNCM was brilliant, the tour was really good at showcasing all of the college's facilities that are used for recording with modern audio recording/mixing technology and sound proofed rooms. Students can book these rooms any time.

The vocal workshop was fantastic, even though it was difficult for me I still found it fun. Warming up with silly songs but ending up singing in harmony!

We were also lucky to be able to watch a lunchtime concert performed by RNCM students. They were playing music from the Baroque era and many were on traditional Baroque instruments, including a harpsichord.

Overall, our day at the RNCM was phenomenal and I already wish to visit again next year.

By Liam Woolley, Year 9

Chetham’s School of Music

We attended Chetham's School of Music on the first day of our Music trip to Manchester and our first activity was to attend the lunchtime concert. The talent level of everybody who performed was incredible. The people who inspired me the most were a pianist, who sounded brilliant, a young cellist, who’s talent level was far above her age (she seemed to be about seven, but played like an adult), and a singer, who sang three songs, a couple of which were in a different language, which was extremely impressive. The experience was really lovely, and I enjoyed all of the performances.

Afterwards we had a Q&A with some students who were currently studying there in Year 12. We spoke about what an average day looked like there, what they enjoyed about life at Chetham’s, what you are expected to do and what not, and much more.

Something we talked about was the accessibility of the school - how everyone was welcoming, what it took to get accepted there, accommodation, etc. Some students were from abroad, and they also mentioned that the grades that you have were not the only thing taken into consideration when applying, musical talent was a huge deciding factor.

I also enjoyed talking about what they were looking at going into after they had finished school. It interested me to know that not everyone there wanted to go into something musical, and some people applied for the good education that is provided there.

Overall, it was extremely informative, and everyone was extremely kind and welcoming. They answered all of my questions thoroughly, and they seemed to genuinely enjoy studying there.

I got a lovely feeling from the place and the people there, nobody seemed overly competitive compared to other places, and it was a fun day.

I would love to revisit to find out more, and I genuinely would consider it as an option to look at to study in sixth form. Written by Maisie Jo Farrell, Year 9

Hamilton - Manchester Trip

What an incredible experience! During our visit to Manchester, we were fortunate enough to see a production of ‘Hamilton’ at the Manchester Palace Theatre. We were seated close to the stage in the stalls, which meant we had a great view of the show and could see the remarkable detail of the set. The actors were phenomenal and impressed every single one of us with their vocal ranges, dancing, and ability to memorise such rich, fast-paced lyrics.

This is the first time ‘Hamilton’ has toured the UK and it did not disappoint. We would like thank Mrs Pellow for arranging the tickets for such an unforgettable performance.

By Zoë Bennett, Year 10

Percussion Workshop

During our Manchester Music Trip, we had many workshops, one of which was a percussion workshop with a man called David Hext, the principal percussionist at the Halle Orchestra who rehearse at Bridgewater Hall. Our activity was about percussion in Minimalism and the minimalist style. David wanted us, as a group, to compose a piece. Each person was given a different percussion instrument. Then we each composed a small melody to play repeatedly throughout the piece. David then played a piano melody over this and we performed together. I really enjoyed this activity because of the unique experience of creating a composition and performing it. We did this as our second to last activity on our final day. The whole trip was amazing and especially this workshop!

By Charlie Stratford, Year 9

BBC Philharmonic

During our Music trip to Manchester in February, we were lucky enough to visit the BBC Philharmonic in their rehearsal space at MediaCity. We were the only people watching the rehearsal and we all felt very fortunate to have had this opportunity. We got to see just how much preparation goes into getting a performance ready for a concert. This was a brilliant opportunity to see the instrument I play in its natural setting. My favourite were the violins. Watching all the bows move in sync with each other was wonderful. We were welcomed by the conductor and some musicians even spoke with us during their break. This was a wonderful and unique experience for us all.

By LilyAnn Moran, Year 9

Pop Music through the Decades at LIPA

On the 22nd of February, a select number of pupils attended a ‘Decades’ gig at LIPA Sixth Form.

When we arrived, we were welcomed warmly by all pupils and received a tour of the school. They showed us equipment that students get to use and talked to us about the courses that take place there. They told us that anyone could get in no matter their background which has been seen by a number of ex-pupils from our school going there for sixth form.

After the tour, we had a gig that celebrated music from the 60s to the 2000s. There was a wide variety of genres and pupils got to showcase their wide range of talents. Everyone who attended had a wonderful time and would love to go back.

By Jodie Hunter, Year 9