Welcome to Music

Why learn Music?

Music is a universal language “where words fail, music speaks”.

At ACSC, we will engage and inspire pupils from across the school to develop a love of music. Music lessons will nurture the talent of students as young musicians as they learn and develop skills on a variety of instruments, learn about music from around the world and from across the decades of music. 

Music increases self-confidence, creativity and team work which are all vital skills for the future.

Within Music, students will learn to develop their composing, performing and critical listening skills as well as their ability to read music notation.

Music Curriculum Overview

Please click the year group and half-term to view additional information.

Half Term 1
Knowledge
Introduction to Music & Introduction to Keyboard 
What are the Elements of Music? Pitch, tempo, dynamics, duration, texture, timbre.
What is  the difference between Rhythm and Pulse?
How to read simple treble clef notation  
Learning to play simple melodies on the keyboard with good hand position.  
Skills / application of knowledge
Listening activities including training the analytical ear, in order to identify musical features. 
OWN independent practice time to learn how to practice effectively on the keyboard 
Links to prior learning
Baseline assessment to establish current understanding and previous music experience in ks2. 
 
Assessment
Baseline assessment 
Listening assessment  
Keyboard solo  performance assessment
Half Term 2
Knowledge
Introduction to Music & Introduction to Keyboard 
What are the Elements of Music? Pitch, tempo, dynamics, duration, texture, timbre.
What is  the difference between Rhythm and Pulse?
How to read simple treble clef notation  
Learning to play simple melodies on the keyboard with good hand position.  
Skills / application of knowledge
Listening activities including training the analytical ear, in order to identify musical features. 
OWN independent practice time to learn how to practice effectively on the keyboard 
Links to prior learning
Baseline assessment to establish current understanding and previous music experience in ks2. 
Assessment
Baseline assessment 
Listening assessment  
Keyboard solo  performance assessment
Half Term 3
Knowledge
Around the World  
How do we identify music from other countries?
How to play three contrasting sounds on an African drum. 
Why are rhythm and pulse important when performing world music? 
How to compose music using polyrhythmic texture. 
Skills / application of knowledge
Whole class performances using African drumming techniques including advanced rhythms, exploring texture in music, and opportunities for solo work.
Links to prior learning
Building on knowledge learnt in term 1 to apply this in listening, performing and composing contexts. 
Assessment
Listening assessment including assessment of musical vocabulary
Performing assessment on chosen instrument 
Half Term 4
Knowledge
Topic: Chord Sequences
Learning the correct technique for playing chords on the keyboard 
Understanding harmony and how this is used in music
Developing skills for effective practice on an instrument.
Developing performance skills as a member of an ensemble
Skills / application of knowledge
OWN independent practice time to develop keyboard skills from term 1 to include chords. 
Developing skills for effective practice, working towards ensemble performance in class.  
Links to prior learning
Using prior knowledge of introduction to keyboard, to begin to understand harmony.
Assessment
Keyboard ensemble performance assessment 
Treble Clef notation assessment 
Half Term 5
Knowledge
Ukulele Skills
Learning how to play the ukulele with correct technique.
Understanding chords, and simple harmonies. 
Composition using chords to create a chord sequence. 
Ensemble performing using chords, whilst developing essential musicianship skills. 
Skills / application of knowledge
Performing chord sequences on the ukulele, in time with a backing track. 
Developing knowledge of Harmony, and an understanding of how chords are put together effectively, building on the chord sequences work from last half term. 
Links to prior learning
 Building on keyboard skills from Half term 4 to enable pupils to develop ensemble skills, and an understanding of Harmony. 
Assessment
Keyboard performance assessment 
Chord sequence composition assessment 
Half Term 6
Knowledge
Topic: Musical Theatre 
Vocal skills for effective performance as both a soloist, and as part of an ensemble. 
Understanding how to sing in parts, including the use of round and simple harmonies. 
Further development of instrumental technique and musicianship skills. 
Skills / application of knowledge
Performing vocal music in parts, including singing a harmony part within an ensemble. 
Understanding the importance of ear training, and vocalisation for effective musicianship. 
Links to prior learning
Building on vocal and instrumental skills from throughout the year.
Assessment
Vocal performance assessment 
Final assessment: written assessment on treble clef notation, the elements of music, harmony and listening skills. 

Half Term 1
Knowledge
Hooks & Riffs / The Blues 
 What are hooks and riffs?
Learning to perform a hook or riff on keyboard or ukulele. Performing the 12 bar blues on either keyboard, ukulele, guitar or bass. 
 Composing a hook or riff in response to a stimulus, as a member of a small group. Learning to compose a blues song, incorporating stylistic features of the blues
Demonstrating broken chords, walking bass line ostinato and arpeggio on either keyboard or ukulele.  
Skills / application of knowledge
Instrumental performance on either keyboard or ukulele
An understanding of the origins of Blues music through historical timelines, and an understanding of the musical features of blues, including the influence of blues on popular music genres.
OWN independent practice time to learn a hook or riff, and prepare for solo performance.
Performing chords on the keyboard or ukulele, as part of a whole class ensemble.  
Links to prior learning
Listen  
Compose  
Improvise  
Perform  
Reading notation 
Assessment
Listening assessment  
Performing/composing assessment 
Half Term 2
Knowledge
Hooks & Riffs / The Blues 
 What are hooks and riffs?
Learning to perform a hook or riff on keyboard or ukulele. Performing the 12 bar blues on either keyboard, ukulele, guitar or bass. 
 Composing a hook or riff in response to a stimulus, as a member of a small group. Learning to compose a blues song, incorporating stylistic features of the blues
Demonstrating broken chords, walking bass line ostinato and arpeggio on either keyboard or ukulele.  
Skills / application of knowledge
Instrumental performance on either keyboard or ukulele
An understanding of the origins of Blues music through historical timelines, and an understanding of the musical features of blues, including the influence of blues on popular music genres.
OWN independent practice time to learn a hook or riff, and prepare for solo performance.
Performing chords on the keyboard or ukulele, as part of a whole class ensemble.  
Links to prior learning
Listen  
Compose  
Improvise  
Perform  
Reading notation 
Assessment
Listening assessment  
Performing/composing assessment 
Half Term 3
Knowledge
Topic: Instruments of the Orchestra 
Learning about different orchestral instruments and their role within an orchestra. 
Understanding sheet music notation, and learning an instrumental part. 
Developing ensemble skills to perform ‘Beethoven’s 5th Symphony’ as a class ensemble.
Skills / application of knowledge
Musical notation reading skills
Instrumental skills, with the opportunity to incorporate orchestral instruments. 
OWN independent practice time to develop instrumental skill on chosen instrument. 
Performing as a class incorporating different parts. 
Links to prior learning
Listen  
Compose  
Improvise  
Perform  
Reading notation 
Assessment
Listening assessment  
Performance assessment
Half Term 4
Knowledge
Topic: All About that Bass
Learning how to read musical notation using the bass clef. 
Developing skills of reading bass clef notation by performing a bass riff on either the bass guitar, or the keyboard. 
Learning to use specific musical vocabulary to analyse a piece of music. 
Skills / application of knowledge
Building on knowledge of keyboard skills to incorporate the left hand, and bass clef. 
An understanding of how the bass guitar works, and how it is used within popular music genres. 
OWN independent practice time to learn riffs using the bass clef.
Links to prior learning
Listen  
Compose  
Improvise  
Perform  
Reading notation 
Assessment
Written assessment:  bass clef notation. 
 Bass clef performance assessment 
Half Term 5
Knowledge
Topic: Rock through the Decades 
Building on notation reading skills to perform a rock song using either treble clef or bass clef notation. 
How do I practice effectively on an instrument in order to make good progress? 
An understanding of the key features of rock music, and how the genre has developed within the twentieth century.
Skills / application of knowledge
Building on skills of reading treble and bass clef through practical activities. 
Developing skills on a chosen instrument. 
OWN independent practice time to learn pieces of music on a chosen instrument, working towards a solo performance. 
Links to prior learning
Listen  
Compose  
Improvise  
Perform  
Reading notation 
Assessment
Solo performance assessment 
Listening assessment: Rock music. 
Half Term 6
Knowledge
Topic: Ensemble skills 
Developing skills in order to maintain an instrumental or vocal part, whilst performing as an ensemble. 
Utilising practice time effectively, to develop musicianship as a member of an ensemble. 
Demonstrating a sound understanding of ensemble skills including accuracy, timing, and listening skills.
Skills / application of knowledge
Applying the knowledge learnt this year to develop ensemble skills further on a chosen instrument. 
OWN independent practice time to develop skill on the chosen instrument. 
An understanding of how to be an effective musician within an ensemble. 
Links to prior learning
Listen  
Compose  
Improvise  
Perform  
Reading notation 
Assessment
Ensemble Performance assessment 
Final assessment: End of year assessment

Half Term 1
Knowledge
Soundtracks - Film music & Video Game Music 
Understanding the purpose of music in film and video games. 
A study of film music composers, and notable pieces. 
Performing themes and leitmotifs on the keyboard. 
Composition in response to a given brief from a film or video game genre. 
Skills / application of knowledge
OWN independent practice time to prepare and perform selections from film and video game music on the keyboard. 
Composition task independently to respond to a given brief. 
Listening and appraising of film / video game music. 
Links to prior learning
Listen  
Compose  
Improvise  
Perform  
Reading notation 
Assessment
Listening assessment  
Keyboard letimotif performance assessment 
Film music composition assessment
Half Term 2
Knowledge
Soundtracks - Film music & Video Game Music 
Understanding the purpose of music in film and video games. 
A study of film music composers, and notable pieces. 
Performing themes and leitmotifs on the keyboard. 
Composition in response to a given brief from a film or video game genre. 
Skills / application of knowledge
OWN independent practice time to prepare and perform selections from film and video game music on the keyboard. 
Composition task independently to respond to a given brief. 
Listening and appraising of film / video game music. 
Links to prior learning
Listen  
Compose  
Improvise  
Perform  
Reading notation 
Assessment
Listening assessment  
Keyboard letimotif performance assessment 
Film music composition assessment
Half Term 3
Knowledge
Topic: Folk Music 
Performing complex chord sequences on either keyboard, guitar, ukulele or bass guitar. 
Developing skills to perform in time with a backing track, and as a member of an ensemble.
Understanding what Folk music is, and how to identify styles of folk music, including the influence on popular music.  
Skills / application of knowledge
OWN independent practice to develop musical skill on chosen instrument. 
Practical tasks to develop knowledge of harmony, and ensemble skills.
Listening and appraising of folk music. 
Links to prior learning
Listen  
Compose  
Improvise  
Perform  
Reading notation 
Assessment
Listening assessment  
Performing assessment 
Half Term 4
Knowledge
Topic: Beat it 
Performing simple drum kit patterns using the snare, kick and hi-hat. 
Understanding how to read and play syncopated rhythms and cross rhythms. 
Further development on the understanding of timing in music, and being able to demonstrate a strong sense of pulse. 
Skills / application of knowledge
OWN independent practice to develop rhythmic skills on the drum kit. 
Practical tasks to develop rhythmic skills of syncopation, cross rhythms and polyrhythms. 
Developing musicianship to understand the importance of tempo and rhythm within an ensemble.
Links to prior learning
Listen  
Compose  
Improvise  
Perform  
Reading notation 
Assessment
Rhythm focussed performance assessment 
Written assessment: rhythmic notation  
Half Term 5
Knowledge
Topic: Music of the Twentieth Century 
An understanding of how music has developed throughout the twentieth century, including minimalism, serialism, and  experimental music.
An understanding of the famous composers from the twentieth century, and performing extracts from pieces that shaped history. 
Composition in the style of minimalism and serialism. 
Skills / application of knowledge
Practical tasks to develop instrumental skill, on pupils’ chosen instrument. 
Composition tasks to implement minimalist and serialist techniques. 
Listening and appraising of music of the twentieth century. 
Links to prior learning
Listen  
Compose  
Improvise  
Perform  
Reading notation 
Assessment
Composition assessment in a minimalist or serialist style. 
Listening & appraising assessment: Twentieth century
Half Term 6
Knowledge
Topic: My instrumental skill 
Choosing an instrument that has been learnt over the course of KS3, and further developing skill on this instrument. There is also the opportunity to learn a new instrument. 
Throughout this topic, students will learn how to practice effectively, and increase their progress over time. 
At the end of the project, students will perform a piece of their choosing, on their instrument. 
Skills / application of knowledge
Practical tasks to develop instrumental skill, on pupils’ chosen instrument, resulting in a final performance which demonstrated their learning ability. 
Listening and appraising of performances, to understand what makes a good musician, and an effective performance. 
Links to prior learning
Listen  
Compose  
Improvise  
Perform  
Reading notation 
Assessment
Performance assessment on chosen instrument. 
Listening and appraising assessment: end of KS3.

Curriculum