Music Department

Music is considered to be a very important aspect of learning and life at Windsor School and it operates within the Creative Arts Faculty alongside Drama and Art.

Rationale

We are an extremely busy and committed department who believe that 'Music is for All' regardless of age, gender, ability and interests. We believe that Music offers unparallel opportunities for the development of imagination, sensitivity, inventiveness and essential elements that make up a balanced curriculum.

Our aims provide opportunities for pupils to:

• Stimulate their imagination and encourage the desire to participate in music making of any kind.
• Develop pupils' individual aural perception and ability to understand and appreciate a wide range of music in order to promote an awareness of oneself, our world and its cultures thus aiding social integration.
• Encourage an appreciation of the importance the role of Music has in a modern society and how it is used to manipulate the emotions of the individual.
• Develop the capacity to express ideas and feelings practically, verbally and symbolically through the medium of sound.
• Develop an awareness of musical traditions and developments and allow individuals to explore their musical skills through composing, performing, listening and appraising.
• Encourage musical performance in the classroom and outside the school curriculum and build links with the wider community.
• Encourage pupils to take responsibility in the department by taking on roles as Music Senior Leaders, Deputy Leaders and Mentors.

Accommodation & Resources

The new Music block was completed in December 2005 and is situated above the Dance studio.

Music is taught in two main classrooms. In addition to this, our visiting instrumental teachers use accompanying practice rooms to teach specific instrumental lessons.

The complete department consists of two main teaching classrooms, an office / practice and recording room, a store room and four further practice rooms.

Both main classrooms contain interactive whiteboards and a vast collection of equipment including keyboards, percussion instruments, recording equipment and ICT music software.

There is general storage of files, portfolios, microphones, amplifiers, music text resources, TV, CDs / DVDs and other music equipment.

The curriculum

At Key Stage 3, pupils receive one lesson per week lasting 50 minutes. At Key Stage 4, pupils receive three lessons per week, each lasting 50 minutes.

Please note that any pupils who receive instrumental lessons from visiting teachers of 'Dudley Performing Arts' or by Windsor staff will be allocated a 20 minute lesson per week on their chosen instrument.

At both Key Stages 3 and 4, pupils are organised into mixed ability groups. For general classroom work they are seated boy / girl as this has been proven to be an effective method to facilitate good teaching and learning and ensure high standards are met.

The Key Stage 3 Scheme of Work is divided into 6 annual topics which are studied in depth. These are designed and organised in such a way that they enable pupils to build on their strengths and develop their musicianship year on year.

At Key Stage 4, pupils study GCSE Music according to the OCR syllabus. Our exam results are always above the national average.

Extra-curricular activities

A large number of our students are involved in our music clubs. These operate on a weekly basis and range from classical instrumental ensembles through to choirs and rock bands.

Each term, our music clubs are reviewed by staff and extra – curricular timetables are published and sent out to tutor groups and are advertised in the school newsletter. We are constantly reviewing our music groups to cater for the interests of both our staff and pupils.

Concerts take place on a regular basis and range from talent contests, concerts, GCSE Recital Evenings, Christmas activities for the Senior Citizens and joint concerts with other organisations / schools and with the Dance department at Windsor, as well as performances in the community and with Dudley Performing Arts.

In addition to this, we also offer opportunities for pupils to involve themselves in Music Workshops such as African drumming, Salsa, Blues Performance, Jazz Masterclasses, DJ mixing etc.