Music is taught weekly to students in Year 9. In Year 7 and 8 music is taught as part of Creative Studies and each class has a block of music lessons each term.
Students learn about different music styles and have the opportunity to play a range of instruments including keyboard, percussion and ukelele. They are given the opportunities to compose, perform and develop their understanding of a wide range of musical genres, including classical, contemporary, folk and world music. They learn about different composers and performers across the decades.
In Year 7, students develop their understanding of music through topics on the Orchestra, composing and the elements of music.
In Years 8 and 9, students gain knowledge and understanding of African and world music and extend their learning and musical skills further through the study of units such as rock anthems, pop ballads and classical music, as well as the study of groups and individual performers.
All year groups are introduced to musical notation and throughout Key Stage 3 are able to develop their skills in reading and writing music. Within and through music students are encouraged to develop their skills in team work and working independently. They work collaboratively and as individuals to express their own musical and creative ideas. The students will also have the opportunity to take part in workshops and/or visits outside of school.
In Music we have many cross curricular links - Science - sound, Numeracy - timelines, counting and timing, English - technical vocabulary, following instructions, reading notation etc, History - the history of music and timelines, Geography - World music, which countries different styles of music originated from and personal development.
At Ashley High music lessons are practical and students have fun learning!