Music
Staff
Mrs G English – Subject Leader of Music
Mr N Hitchman – Teacher of Music
Music website: http://shommusic.weebly.com
Follow us on Twitter: @SHOMMUSIC
Music Development Plan 2024-2025
Music Mission Statement
Music plays a central role in the life of Sacred Heart of Mary pupils. The Music department provides opportunities for all pupils to develop their musicianship with excellent provision across Key stage 3, GCSE and A Level lessons. Instrumental and singing lessons are made available to all pupils though our close partnership with Havering Music Service and private tutors and our extra-curricular activities are wholly inclusive where a safe, positive and encouraging environment is provided for high quality and enjoyable music making.
It is our mission to bring out the best in all those who enter our department by infusing a love of music in lessons, extra-curricular activities, assemblies, masses, concerts and in the local community.
Transition from Primary School
The Music department enjoys a close working relationship with local Catholic feeder schools where year 5 pupils are invited to join us for a “Fun Day”. This allows primary students to enjoy a taste of the Arts at Sacred Heart of Mary and makes for a very enjoyable day where friendships are formed and quality performances are executed by our participants.
Curriculum overview
KS3 pupils enjoy a wide curriculum over three years which covers a wide variety of music. Our Key Stage 3 curriculum allows for all pupils to develop the level of musicianship required for option at GCSE regardless of previous musical opportunities. Students across all key stages gain experience using Music Technology, including Sibelius 7.5. The Music department also broadens pupils’ musical experiences with annual trips to the theatre and workshops provided by Conductive Music.
Year 7 and 8 pupils engage in three lessons over a two-week time table and Year 9 attend one lesson a week.
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Singing Together | 60’s Music | Film Music |
| Changing Environment: Narnia | The Beatles | Theme and Variations |
| Keyboard Skills: Music Notation | Jazz and Blues | Musicals |
| African Music & STOMP | Samba Music | Song Writing: London |
| Keyboard Skills: Chords | Guitar: Don’t Stop Believin’ | Musical Futures: Cover of a popular song |
| Guitar: Chasing Cars |
GCSE Music
Year 11 currently follow the Eduqas GCSE Music course:
https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/music-gcse/#tab_keydocuments
A Level music
A Level pupils will be following the two year A Level course provided by Eduqas (WJEC):
http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/music/as-a-level/
Extra-curricular opportunities
There is a wide range of activities in which girls can participate:
- School Choir
- Year 7 Choir
- Chamber Choir
- Orchestra
- Guitar ensemble
- Havering Music school ensemble
- Theory lessons
There are many performing opportunities throughout the year including:
- Mass for the deceased
- Prizegiving evening
- Carol Service (St. Joseph’s Parish Church, Upminster)
- Spring concert
- Annual school musical.
The school’s House Music Festival takes place every other year. Girls across all houses are expected to get involved in at least one of the categories – House Choir, Junior or Senior Soloist and House Ensemble. Since 2013, pupils who had participated in musical activities and events are invited on a trip to the theatre. Recent trips have included trips to Wicked, STOMP, Les Misérables, Frozen, The Lion King and Matilda: The Musical.
Accommodation
Music is currently taught in a self-contained, purpose built block which was completed in 2014.
The music department has two large teaching rooms, which double as rehearsal and performance venues. The larger of the two rooms is also used for Informal concerts held throughout the year. We also have a Sixth form study room for A Level Music students, and four practice rooms.
Rooms are well equipped with professional musical equipment, including six pianos, full class sets of djembes and a Samba kit, classroom percussion, acoustic/electric guitars, keyboards, 5 drum kits, 2 electric drum kits, PA rig, and recording facilities.
Department facilities and ICT provision
H1 has desks to accommodate 32 pupils and is furnished with 17 high spec PCs. All pupils access these for composition, research work and accessing music software including IWB Music and first music. All computers in the Department are equipped with Sibelius 7.5 and Auralia. Both teaching rooms have an Interactive Whiteboard/Projector screen which is integral to teaching at all levels.
H3 is used both as practice room and small study room for A Level Music pupils and is equipped with 5 PCs. It also houses a large library of sheet music and CDs which are available for pupils to borrow, as well as the school copy of Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.
The Department also includes four Practice Rooms equipped with pianos, electric keyboards and CD players/iPod speakers. These rooms are used by pupils at all Key Stages during lesson time, as well as by the Instrumental and Vocal teachers.
