At the Academy Music is taught in mixed ability classes with 2 lessons a week in S1, and 1 lesson in S2. If pupils opt for Music as an option in S3 then they have 3 lessons a week.
S1
All pupils will focus on the three areas of Listening, Performing, and Composing, and will perform on a variety of instruments including African djembe, keyboards, ukulele and tuned percussion. Some performance tasks will be solos and some with a small group. In addition, pupils will learn how to read musical notation (treble clef) and tab.
Topics covered in S1 include:
Reading and writing music
Rhythm skills and African drumming
Keyboard and tuned percussion performance unit
Ukulele performance unit
Blues
Pupils are assessed on their performance skills and their understanding of the musical concepts involved in each of the topics.
S2
All pupils will continue to focus on the three areas of Listening, Performing, and Composing and will continue to develop their performance skills on their chosen instruments. Individual and group tasks are set in each of the topics as well as more in depth musical notation (bass clef).
Topics covered in S2 include:
Instruments of the orchestra
Ragtime and Jazz
Pop music and Band skills (bass guitar, guitar, drum kit, keyboard and vocals)
Instrument performance unit
Music from Latin America
Pupils are assessed on their performance skills and their understanding of the musical concepts involved in each of the topics.
S3
Pupils are invited to ‘opt in’ music lessons in S3 and receive three lessons in a week. Listening, Performing and Composing tasks further develop their knowledge of different musical styles and theoretical understanding. Pupils continue to perform on their chosen instruments and work towards a National 3/4 set of pieces which are recorded for assessment.
Topics covered in S3 include:
Music periods of history
Minimalism and using Sibelius
Instrument performance unit (two instruments)
Film music
Indian Music
Reggae
Pupils are assessed on their performance skills and their understanding of the musical involved in each of the topics in preparation for National 5 studies next year.