Home

Music

Music at Holte School aims to:

• Give pupils the experience of practical music making, both individually and co-operatively. This encourages pupils to accept responsibility for their own learning and behaviour whilst also enabling them to develop their self-confidence
• Give pupils the experience of working in a wide range of situations to develop a variety of strategies
• To work collaboratively with others, developing their own talents and appreciation in a secure environment of mutual respect
• Being a practical subject, pupils are encouraged to work professionally and safely
• To develop an understanding and appreciation of music from different cultures and different times through composition and performance activities
• Pupils also take part in listening and appraising activities to further develop listening skills; these skills can be transferable throughout many other subjects
• Provide a basic core of knowledge and appreciation of music, which will enable pupils to continue their participation in music both in school and beyond.

Staffing

Head of Department: Miss Allen

Teacher of Music: Mr Thomas

Key Stage 3

In KS3 we cover the following topics:

Key stage 4

The Music Department currently offers a BTEC Tech Award in Music Practice.

The following components are studied:

Component 1 – Exploring Music Products and Styles

Component 2 – Music Skills Development

Component 3 – Responding to a Commercial Music Brief

The Tech Award gives pupils the opportunity to develop sector-specific applied knowledge and skills through realistic vocational contexts. The focus is on four areas of equal importance, which cover the:

• Development of key skills that prove pupils’ aptitude in music, such as responding to a musical brief using musical skills and techniques
• Processes that underpin effective ways of working in the music sector, such as the development of musical ideas, and using skills and techniques for rehearsal, creation, production and performance to respond to a music brief
• Attitudes that are considered most important in the music sector, including personal management and communication;
• Knowledge that underpins effective use of skills, processes and attitudes in the sector, such as musical skills and styles.

Extra-Curricular

Instrumental lessons are delivered by Mr Spiers throughout the week.

Mrs Allen-Smith delivers a Keyboard Club after school on Mondays.

The History of Jazz by Ted Gioia

History of the Blues: The Roots, the Music, the People Book by Francis Davis

How Music Works by David Byrne

The Cambridge Companion to Electronic Music

Careers  

Artist Management – Negotiates business deals on behalf of the artist. Also has input on the creative and marketing ends of an artist.

Audio Engineer – Audio production specialist concerned with how sound is manipulated, recorded, and mixed in an audio recording.

Blogger – A journalist, writer, or commentator who writes about a specific subject and sells products, memberships, and advertising space on their websites.

Business Management – Starts and/or oversees the day-to-day operations of a music business, including a performing arts venue, nightclub, music store. Promoter – Individual or company that is responsible for organising a tour or performance.

Film Music Composer – Commercial music composer who specifically works to make music as the background for film and television.

Instrument Sales – Working at a music store or distribution website to sell instruments and associated music equipment, like bows, music software, and amplifiers.

Marketing: Traditional and Digital Marketing – Working with an artist, publicist, college institution, or other musical entity to effectively market their products, concerts, etc. Includes a savvy understanding in both traditional marketing methods as well as digital marketing practices, such as social media and integrative marketing.

Music Teacher – Teaches music at a public or private primary, secondary schools or higher education.

Music Journalist/Critic – Someone who professionally reviews music performances, albums, and entertainment industry news.

Music Supervisor – Someone who oversees all of the musical choices for a visual medium, including television, video games, advertisers, and films. Not to be confused with a commercial music composer.

Music therapy – Music therapy is an evidence-based clinical use of musical interventions to improve clients’ quality of life.

Music therapists use music and its many facets— physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic, and spiritual— to help clients improve their health in cognitive, motor, emotional, communicative, social, sensory, and educational domains by using both active and receptive music experiences.

Publisher Sales Representative – An agent from a publishing company trying to sell published compositions to labels and artists for recording and selling. Record Producer – Oversees all aspects of producing an artist’s album.

Session Musician – Musician who plays on recording projects for different artists, labels, etc.

Social Media Strategist – A social media savvy marketer who works with a company to promote their content via social media.

Solo Musician – Musician who performs as a complete soloist (like a pianist) or as the central figure with an accompanying musician or ensemble.

Stage Management – Organising and putting together a music, theatre, dance, or multimedia production. Involves coordinating stage personnel, production managers, and more.

Video Game Composer – Composer for the soundtrack and background of video games.