Introduction and Aims

Year 8 students will continue to build on the skills that have been learnt in Year 7 and will continue to focus on the creative and practical.

• We will identify and build on the strengths of each students
• We will develop existing skills and interests
• We will offer new experiences in the arts
• We willf foster self-confidence, self-discipline and responsibility
• We will ensure success in music for all students
• We will encourage creativity in all students
• We will value all students equally

Term 1 

Unit 1   Theme and Variation

Students will be studying the techniques used in Theme and Variation and will be doing their own compositions in small groups.

Unit 2 Writing a Pop Song

Students will be looking at how to form a pop song and will be writing their own which they will perform at the end of the module

Term 2

Unit 3 African Music

Students will be looking at African music. They will be doing a lot of practical work on the instruments and will be learning the typical techniques used in African music. They will be composing and recording their own African composition.

Unit 4 The Blues

Students will be studying the origins of blues music and writing a composition based on the 12 bar blues.

Term 3

Unit 5 Performing skills/ Variations

In small groups students will do their own variation of a song of their choice.

Assessment Information

Each module is assessed through peer, self and teacher assessment.

Practical and performance work will be recorded and then leveled by students and the teacher.

Subject reports will be based on effort and the attainment achieved in each unit listed above.

Other Information

The work covered in Years 7 to 9 will focus on the new creative curriculum and will encourage students to explore new areas of music and to develop their skills.