As a Curriculum Pioneer School for Expressive Arts, we are responsible for helping to develop the Expressive Arts Area of Learning and Experience for the whole of Wales. Expressive Arts incorporates the disciplines of Art, Dance, Drama, Film and Digital Media and Music. We currently deliver Expressive Arts to Year 7 incorporating an interdisciplinary approach to the AoLE. Staff Neil Hawkins (Head of Music and Performing Arts/Curriculum Pioneer Lead) Hilary Brown (Teacher of Music/Head of PSHE) Rachel Rawson (Teacher of Drama/Head of KS3 English) James Tiley (Head of Art) Emma Plumley (Teacher of Art) Immersion Day This year, pupils had an Expressive Arts Immersion Day to introduce them to the AoLE, The 4 Core Purposes and to create a sense of unity within their from classes. Pupils explored the idea of Who Are We? and chose a form anthem, created a form shield and a selection of form freeze frames. (Insert Immersion Day Video) Pedagogy Lessons are delivered in an engaging and pupil-led way, employing the pedagogy developed by the Expressive Arts Curriculum Reform Group.
Year 7 Term 1 Identity Pupils explore the idea of who they are across all of the disciplines. This includes performing songs about identity, looking how artists express their identity, line drawings using both their finger prints and favourite song lyrics and exploring the idea of emotions through Drama using the film Inside Out as a stimulus. Term 2 Community Pupils explore the idea of community and Wales through the traditional music of Wales (with a Celtic Band MuFu focus), how street art can be used to improve communities, and the use of rugby and Stomp based movement is it dance? Term 3 Carnivale Pupils explore their place within the wider world through a Rio Carnival inspired project which includes Samba, Puppetry and Dance. Parents are invited to a Rio Carnivale event in school as a celebration of the pupils work throughout the year. You can see some of the work pupils have been doing on our Expressive Arts Blog. This is a work in progress and as we develop the AoLE, pupils will be responsible for keeping the blog up to date, helping to develop their Digital Competency. https://blackwoodexpressivearts.edublogs.org/
For regular updates please: Like us on Facebook: Blackwood Comprehensive Music & PA {insert link} Or Follow us on Twitter: @BLKWD_Music Music plays an integral part of life at Blackwood with a large percentage of pupils taking part in the many musical opportunities available to them. The department operates an inclusive policy and ensures that both curricular and extra-curricular Music is accessible to all. Lessons are delivered in an engaging and pupil led way ensuring that our learners are prepared for life-long learning. Staff Neil Hawkins (Head of Music and Performing Arts/Curriculum Pioneer Lead) Hilary Brown (Teacher of Music/Head of PSHE) Mufu The department employs many of the pedagogical principles that are promoted by Musical Futures including Non-Formal Teaching and Informal Learning. This encourages our learners to be more independent and resilient in their studies. https://www.musicalfutures.org Resources We are extremely lucky to have a significant bank of resources which pupils are taught to respect and look after. These include: 2 class sets of Keyboards 2 class sets of African Percussion (including djembes and doun doun drums) 2 class sets of Ukuleles 2 class sets of Guitars A full set of tuned percussion
18 PCs running Sibelius 6 8 imacs running Garage Band (one of which is set up as a recording studio) 41 ipads A Yamaha Clavinova Piano in each teaching room Upright pianos in each practice room 6 drum kits Instruments for a full sac quartet 6 Harps A range of acoustic and electric guitars and bass guitars including amps etc. Accommodation The department is spread over two separate blocks. Each block consists of a large teaching room, Music Technology area and two practice rooms. We also have use of the 2 halls as rehearsal spaces. KS3 All pupils in KS3 study Music once a week and participate in a variety of activities including singing, performing, composing and appraising. Year 8 Term 1 Just Play Pupils develop the skills required to perform as part of a band. They learn how to play chords and accompanying patterns on keyboard, guitar, ukulele and bass guitar using popular songs they relate too. Term 2 African Pupils study the traditional music of West Africa including traditional rhythms and the techniques needed to play the djembe and doun doun drums. They work in groups to prepare an African inspired piece. They sing traditional African songs and use these to inspire their own vocal pieces. Term 3 Blues Pupils learn about the origins of blues music, the 12 bar blues and develop the skills required to improvise using keyboards. Year 9 Term 1 Uke Band Pupils form their own ukulele bands and prepare a cover song of their own choosing. They take on key roles within the group preparing them for the world of work. Term 2 In at the Deep End Pupils use the skills acquired over the 3 years to create a full band cover version of their favourite songs. Term 3 Song Writing Pupils explore lyric writing, hooks, riffs and the 4 chord trick. Using GarageBand, they record their own songs.
KS4 GCSE Music WJEC Music is an exciting, creative, challenging and versatile subject; one which universities and employers regard highly. Studying Music supports cognitive development and therefore drives academic achievement. The syllabus for Music at GCSE level is designed to offer all candidates a varied and interesting course based on the three main musical activities of Performing, Composing and Appraising. One of the main aims is to stimulate and develop an appreciation and enjoyment of many different types of music through an active involvement in each of the three musical activities. Students are expected to develop their skills in performing through practice within the classroom together with practice at home, as they will be required to sing or play for the Performing Unit of the course. If pupils do not currently receive instrumental/singing lessons in or out of school, we will endeavour to fit them into lessons in school to ensure that their performance is of the highest standard. It is also essential that pupils taking music take part in at least one extra-curricular ensemble (choir, orchestra, Celtic band etc.) to help develop their ensemble skills. The course will develop students musical creativity and prepares them to work individually to compose or arrange music in a variety of styles. Students will develop their critical appraisal and analysis skills so that they are able to make informed observations about a variety of different genres of music from the 17th Century to the present day during the Listening examination (30%). SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT Unit 1: Performing Total duration of performance: 4-6 minutes 35% of qualification (84 marks) A minimum of two pieces, one of which must be an ensemble performance of at least one-minute duration. The other piece(s) may be either solo and/or ensemble. One of the pieces performed must link to an area of study of the learner s choice. A programme note for one performance linked to an area of study. Unit 2: Composing Total duration of compositions: 3-6 minutes 35% of qualification 84 marks Two compositions, one of which must be in response to a brief set by WJEC. Learners will choose one brief from a choice of four, each one linked to a different area of study. The briefs will be released during the first week of September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken. The second composition is a free composition for which learners set their own brief.
An evaluation of the composition composed in response to a brief set by WJEC. Unit 3: Appraising Written examination: 1 hour 30% of qualification 72 marks This unit is assessed via a listening examination. Eight questions in total, two on each of the four areas of study. Area of study 1: Musical Forms and Devices Area of study 2: Music for Ensemble Area of study 3: Film Music Area of study 4: Popular Music Two of the eight questions are based on prepared extracts set by WJEC. Music by Welsh composers and performers is incorporated within the specified areas of study. There are 2 set works: Rondeau from Abdelazar by Henry Purcell and Handbags and Gladrags by the Stereophonics. BTEC First Award in Music- EDEXCEL BTEC Music is a vocational qualification (equivalent of 1 GCSE grade A*-C) that focuses on working within the Music Industry. How is the course assessed? Unlike previous BTECs, the new Music course is assessed externally as well as internally. Unit 1: The Music Industry (External Assessment) This is a 60 Minute Exam based on a study of the Music Industry. What are the different organisations that make up the Music Industry? What are the various job roles in the Music Industry? Unit 2: Managing a Music Product (Internal Assessment) This will require you to work in groups to plan, prepare and market a music product. A possible example could be a CD. You will need to decide on the performers, pieces etc. and record them and market your CD for sale. Pupils will be required to study two additional units and we will decide the best-fit options for the cohort from the following units: Unit 3: Introducing Live Sound preparing a venue for a public performance, setting up the sound equipment etc. Unit 4: Introducing Music Composition learning the skills required to write a variety of musical genres. Unit 5: Introducing Music Performance learning the skills required to prepare for a public music performance.
Unit 6: Introducing Music Recording learning the techniques to make a digital recording (this will require you to learn how to use the imacs to full effect).
BTEC First Award in Performing Arts - EDEXCEL BTEC Performing Arts is a vocational qualification (equivalent of 1 GCSE grade A*-C) that focuses on working within the Performing Arts Industry. How is the course assessed? Unlike previous BTECs, the new Performing Arts course is assessed externally as well as internally. Unit 1: Individual Showcase (External Assessment) (Example assessment) A letter of application to a further education college to be considered for a higher level Performing Arts course. (This is sent off for marking). An entry audition for college consisting of 2, 2 minute performance pieces from a musical. (This is filmed and sent off for marking). Unit 2: Preparation, Performance and Production (Internal Assessment) This will require you to participate in the school musical as part of the company and demonstrate your progression through rehearsals and final performance. Unit 5: Musical Theatre Skills (Internal Assessment) (Example assignments) Musical Theatre Bootcamp you will be involved in a series of workshops on singing, acting and dance, these will be taken by staff and visiting professionals. Musical Theatre Showcase you will prepare and perform a short performance piece from a musical. Throughout the course, pupils will have access to ipads to diary their progress as well as keeping progress journals. Many of the lessons and workshops will be filmed to provide evidence to the exam board. It is expected that you will also attend drama club and other musical rehearsals to develop your skills and to ensure you fulfil all the requirements to pass the course!
Extra-Curricular The department offers a busy and varied range of extra-curricular activities, most of which are inclusive to all. These include: String Orchestra Wind Band Orchestra Percussion Ensemble Senior Strings Harp Ensemble Choir Hand Bells Celtic Band Ensembles are run by both teaching staff and our peripatetic instrumental teachers. Practice rooms are also available daily for pupils to rehearse their own ensembles and bands.
Successes
The department has had many successes over the years in a number of competitions including regional winners and 3 rd Place winners (in Wales) at the Urdd National Eisteddfod. Pupils regularly compete in CCBC Young Musician Competitions and regularly receive winning places. Concerts The department maintains a regular concert season within and out of school. School events include the Annual Carol Service at St Margaret s Church and the Summer Concert. Pupils regularly participate in external concerts including the CCBC Showcase at St David s Hall, Tredegar House Folk Festival, Music for Youth, Llandaff Cathedral and County Concerts.
Musical
The Music and Performing Arts department continue to produce Welsh premieres when it comes to Musical Theatre. Our most recent production was Legally Blonde. Over the years we have produced and performed Little shop of Horrors, 13 The Musical (Welsh Schools Premier), Our House (Welsh Schools Premier), Sunshine on Leith (first school outside of Scotland) and Fame Jr.
Trips
We offer a biannual cultural trip to our pupils who are part of the performing life of the department. We regularly visit Venice, Verona and Lake Garda or New York. We are currently planning an Expressive Arts trip along with the Art department to Italy. Peripatetic Instrumental Lessons All pupils are able to learn an instrument at Blackwood and we pride ourselves on the full variety of lessons available including: Upper Strings Lower Strings Brass Woodwind Percussion
Harp Guitar and Bass Guitar Voice Piano Lessons (except for piano) are provided by Caerphilly Music service and cost 125 a year. Pupils receive a minimum of 20 minutes a week on their chosen instrument. Many pupils receive lesson on more than one instrument. Piano lessons are provided by a private teacher and details of these can be found here: [Insert link to Jo s site]