Music

Music has power! Music can transport the listener to a different time and place. It can change how we are feeling and connect us to memories of the past and the world around us. At New Mills School, the Music department strives to engage learners with that emotional journey. Through listening and performing, students develop an understanding and appreciation of diverse musical traditions and the rich culture that pioneered and moulded the music industry as we hear it today. We seek to inspire students to explore their own identity and self-expression through a variety of musical activities to perform, compose and listen to music from different starting points.

Music LTP 2025-26

Music at Key Stage 4

Music at Key Stage 4 is an optional subject.  The course on offer is the GCSE Music. 

 

Aims of the Course

This course encourages creativity and expression, allowing you to perform, compose, and analyse music. Through hands-on activities like playing an instrument or composing your own pieces, you’ll gain confidence in performance and deepen your musical understanding. 
 
The syllabus covers a variety of musical genres, giving you exposure to different styles and cultures. This broadens your musical appreciation and helps develop your analytical skills as you explore the elements of music in depth. The focus on both performance and composition allows you to showcase your talent and individuality, while the music theory element provides a solid foundation for further study. 

 

Course Content 

Three components completed over two years:  

1. Integrated Portfolio 

  • Students develop their understanding of performance and composition through exploration of their own instrument within styles and genres of their choosing. 
  • They demonstrate their playing skills and abilities by practicing and performing a piece musically, accurately, and with appropriate interpretation. In the composition element of this component, they demonstrate knowledge of composition techniques, use of musical elements and resources, including specific instrumental and technology techniques. 

2.  Practical Portfolio

  • Students develop their skills and understanding of performance and composition. The focus of the performance aspect of this component is on the demands of performing with an ensemble. Students are also required to compose a piece of music appropriate for one of the areas of study in response to a set brief.

3.   Listening and Appraising 

  • This component focuses on areas of study 2, 3, 4, and 5. Students demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of musical elements, contexts, and language. 
Area of Study focus: 
  • My Music 
  • The Concerto Through Time 
  • Rhythms of the World 
  • Film Music 
  • Conventions of Pop 
Assessment 

Component 1: Integrated Portfolio - Internally assessed, externally moderated: 30% 
Component 2: Practical Portfolio - Internally assessed, externally moderated: 30% 
Component 3: Listening Exam 1hour 30 Minutes, 80 Mark paper: 40% 

Beyond GCSE 

Music provides students with the opportunity to progress to Level 3 programmes such as; A or T levels including A level Music or Music Technology, BTEC Extended Diploma Musical Theatre, BTEC National in Music, either on its own or in combination with other A levels, RSL Certificate for Music Practitioners or Apprenticeships in the Performing Arts 
 
Music often leads to careers in the Performing Arts, sound engineering, composing, teaching, arts administration or media.  It can also be used in areas such as journalism, publishing, arts management, digital media, law, recording, broadcasting, etc. 


Further Information

 The awarding body for GCSE Music is OCR.  Further details about the qualification can be found on the OCR website here: GCSE Music (J536).