Music is a unique form of communication that can change the way pupils feel, think and act.

Music is often part of our identity and positive experiences with music can develop pupils' competence as learners and increase their self-esteem.

Music learning develops pupils' critical skills: their ability to listen, to appreciate a wide variety of music, and to make judgements about musical quality. It also increases self-discipline, creativity, aesthetic sensitivity and helps to develop a sense of group identity and togetherness.

Aims

The aims of Frederick Gough Music Department:

• To develop the knowledge, skills and understanding which will allow pupils to make music to the best of their ability and enable them to appreciate a wide range of music.
• To allow all pupils, regardless of physical or academic ability, or background, to engage fully in music-making.
• To make learning in music challenging, enjoyable, interesting and worthwhile.
• To develop intellectual capabilities, imagination, sensitivity, inventiveness and delight
• To increase aesthetic awareness.
• To build self-confidence and self-expression.
• To promote a sense of community, both in school and in the wider community and to encourage pupils to become responsible and mature citizens.
• To contribute to the delivery of functional skills, PSHCE, personal learning and thinking skills, and spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

In KS3, all pupils have one lesson per week. During these lessons, pupils develop each of the interrelated skills of performing, composing and appraising in all activities. They extend these skills through applying listening skills and musical knowledge and understanding, and there are opportunities to make connections between all areas of knowledge and musical experiences. They learn about how music is constructed, produced (including notation, instruments and technology) and how it is influenced by time and place. They work as a whole class, in smaller groups, and individually.

In KS4, GCSE Music can be studied as one of the option choices. The course caters for all interests and abilities, therefore any pupil with an enthusiasm for music is a suitable candidate. The course builds on and develops the integrated approach in KS3. Pupils study a range of styles including dance music and film music, classical western music and music from other countries. It encourages pupils to become more informed performers through the study of their instrument or voice, more skilled composers and understanding listeners. Candidates are marked on two performances, two compositions, three brief pieces of written work, a short composing examination, and a listening examination.

Extra-curricular Activities

The department runs activities every lunchtime and sometimes after school.

We have a jazz band and a senior band, a choir, and smaller ensembles such as brass, strings, woodwind, belle-plates, samba, and saxophone groups. We also run a training band for our less experienced musicians and which is open to primary pupils. We have theory classes for instrumentalists wanting to take the higher exams. We have visiting instrumental teachers from the North Lincolnshire Music Support Service who teach the whole range of orchestral instruments, drum kit and guitar. Our senior band undertakes a foreign band tour every two years and has so far visited Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Holland, and Belgium. Our saxophone group also visited China.

In collaboration with the Drama department, we have put on school productions every two years including Oklahoma, Bugsy Malone, Grease, Calamity Jane, Guys and Dolls, The Wiz, Oh What a Lovely War, Back to the 80's, Disco Inferno, Stars in their Eyes, We Will Rock You, Fred Gough's Got Talent and Little Shop of Horror.