S1 and S2 Music

S1 and S2 classes attend Music in practical classes (i.e. no more than 20 pupils). All S1 classes are allocated 1 period of Music per week and S2 classes are allocated 2 periods per week.

AIMS OF COURSE

To ensure that all pupils have the opportunity to perform and respond to music to the best of their ability; and to encourage all pupils to become musically literate and realise their musical potential.

COURSE CONTENT

The emphasis is very much on practical music making and encouraging pupils to become involved in a range of musical activities, including;

PERFORMING:     All pupils play at least two instruments in class, working from individualised course units. The instruments include electronic keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, tuned percussion and drum-kit. Pupils are encouraged to develop their musical ability by participating in instrumental and/or vocal group performances in class. Those pupils who play other instruments are also encouraged to participate in class activities.

COMPOSING:      All pupils learn to become more aware of sound and develop their musical imagination through improvising and composing using a variety of sound sources. Such sound sources may include acoustically or electronically produced sounds.

LISTENING:        All pupils listen to a variety of music and are encouraged develop an informed interest in their own musical world through becoming more aware of particular musical styles, features and concepts.

While the coursework in S1 and S2 should provide pupils with a complete and varied musical experience in itself it should also develop the appropriate skills and insights necessary for further study in S3 and S4. In other words pupils in S1 and S2 will be covering the groundwork for National Qualifications in Music.

The pupils experience the above elements through a range of topics that involve a great deal in integration of musical concepts within the context of performing, composing and listening activities.
 

A summary of the topics studied in S1 and S2 include:

S1 COURSE TOPICS AND ACTIVITIES

Playing the keyboard, guitar and tuned percussion in blocks of 10 – 12 weeks.

Developing playing and reading skills associated with the above instruments.

Participating in ensemble work and inventing activities using the above instruments.

Developing musical literacy skill (both in the reading and writing of music).

Exploring a range of musical concepts through:

• Groupings of instruments.

• Sections of the orchestra.

• Musical styles (including vocal, instrumental, traditional and popular)

• Music in The Media (including film and television music).

• World Music (including the music of India, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Scotland).

S2 COURSE TOPICS AND ACTIVITIES

Choosing to play two instruments (or one instrument and voice) from a variety of instruments including: keyboard, classical guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, tuned percussion, drum-kit, and pupils’ own instrumental interests (e.g. piano, woodwind, brass, strings etc.).

Further developing playing and reading skills associated with the above instruments.

Further developing musical literacy skill (both in the reading and writing of music).

Participating in more varied ensemble work.

Participating in more varied inventing activities.

Exploring a range of musical concepts through:

• Instruments of the orchestra.

• Popular Musical styles (including Rock, Rock’n’roll, Jazz, Blues, Swing, Soul etc.)

• The Music of Scotland (including Scottish dance music).

• World Music (including Latin American, Indian, African and Indonesian).

Pupils keep a record of their progress in their own individual Workbooks and are continuously assessed on a regular basis. Assessments are based on general class performance and on short assignments and listening tests, all of which form the basis of pupils' reports.