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Notre Dame High School

Notre Dame
High School

Music

In KS3 Music you will find out more about different forms of music from pop, jazz, contemporary to music for theatre or media. 

You will learn how to appraise the different types of music as well learn how music has changed over time.

You will develop lots of skills studying this subject from production to performance and composition. 

You will also gain lots of transferable skills in administration, team work, organisation and planning. 

Music students take an active part in the busy musical life of the school, performing in concerts, school musicals, Masses, competitions, festivals and tours.

Check out this track composed by Callum in Y.7!

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Curriculum 

  Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
Aut.1 Building Bricks: Introduction to the Keyboard and basic notation Music and Purpose: Music for Special Occasions Music and Image: Programme Music
Aut.2 Building Bricks: Elements of Music, Graphic Scores and Sonority City Music and Purpose: Music and advertising Music and Image: Film Music
Spr.1 I’ve Got Rhythm: Body Percussion and Chair Drumming The development of Pop Music: Blues and Rock n’ Roll Popular Song: Ensemble performance
Spr.2 I’ve Got Rhythm: Rhythmic notation and Djembe Drumming Popular Song: Ensemble performance Popular Song: Song Writing
Sum.1 Medieval Music and its Catholic links and Western Classical notation Music from the Americas: Samba and Salsa Music from the Americas: Samba and Salsa
Sum.2 Voiceworks: Developing the Voice Music from the Americas: Latin American Inspired Music Music from the Americas: Latin American Inspired Music

 

Peripatetic Music Lessons 

If you would like your child to receive instrumental/vocal lessons in school, we offer lessons in the following instruments: Bass Guitar, Guitar, Singing, Drums, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Recorder, Oboe, Bassoon, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Trumpet, Trombone, Cornet, French Horn, Tenor Horn, Euphonium, Tuba, Piano and Jazz Piano. 

From September 2023, the school will offer subsidies for the following students/instruments: 

  • Orchestral instruments (brass, woodwind, orchestral strings) 
  • Students who are studying A Level or GCSE music 
  • Students who are eligible for pupil premium/ free school meals 

All remaining students/ instruments will continue to be taught by a qualified, experienced teacher, but will receive no subsidy. 

Music lesson Fees from September 2024: 

  • non-subsidised music lessons will be £143 a term for eleven 20-minute individual lessons (for piano, jazz piano, drums, guitar and singing).  
  • Orchestral music lessons will be £100 a term for eleven 20-minute individual lessons 
  • GCSE music students’ lessons will be £100 a term for eleven 20-minute individual lessons 
  • A level music students’ lessons will be £100 a term for eleven 30-minute individual lessons 
  • Music lessons will be fully funded for children eligible for pupil premium and Sixth Form Bursary students. 

For students eligible for a subsidy, please note the following stipulations: 

  • Only one subsidy is available per student 
  • Students receiving a subsidy will be expected to regularly attend one of the extra-curricular music clubs on offer in school as a condition of this. Non-attendance will result in a loss of subsidy and therefore lessons will be charged at full price.  

Once your child is allocated a place you will receive an invoice at the start of term. Lessons are delivered during term time on a rotational basis and take place during the hours of a normal school day. We require half a term’s notice for cancellation of lessons. 

Priority is given to students who are already taking lessons and wish to continue. After this, new applicants are allocated lessons on a first come first served basis. Any pupils who cannot be timetabled for lessons will immediately be placed on a waiting list. 

If you need to hire an instrument, Norfolk Music Service may be able to provide your child with one free of charge, subject to availability. You will however be responsible for the maintenance of the instrument. Please refer to the school's Peripatetic Music Instrument Policy

To apply for lessons please click and complete the online google form.  Please also refer to the school's Peripatetic Music Instrument Policy.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to get in touch with Mrs Selwood, Head of Music kselwood@ndhs.org.uk  

Where will this subject lead me? 

GCSE Music

Music is a 'preference' subject at KS4.  The course is split into three main elements; performing, composing and appraising set works.  GCSE Music students are eligible for a subsidised weekly instrumental lesson from a visiting specialist teacher.  For more info., visit our KS4 Music page.

Career Pathways

Music can lead into careers in performance, education, creative media and computer games.

Music is seen by employers as a subject that fosters a number of valuable transferrable skills: teamwork, communication, responsibility, self-motivation, discipline, time management, using initiative and creative thinking to name but a few. Music GCSE is considered an interesting subject to see on a job application and could lead to a wide range of opportunities unrelated to music.

If you wish to specialise, the music business is one of the biggest in the UK with a wide variety of opportunities. You may wish to take the study of music further to A Level or beyond and music GCSE is excellent preparation. Specialist careers include music therapist, teacher, production promotor, recording engineer, composer, publisher, music manager and performer.