Music
"An Outstanding Department that sets the standards for others to follow."
The music department at Canon Lee is recognised as an outstanding department across the City of York. Results at both GCSE and KS3 are well above national averages. Musicians at Canon Lee perform on average 1 GCSE grade better than musicians at other state schools across the City, relative to ability on a like for like basis.
Students are given the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument if they wish. This service is administrated by the Arts Service and we have 8 peripatetic teachers visiting the department every week teaching keyboards, singing, brass, woodwind, strings, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar and drums.
KEY STAGE 3
In Key Stage 3 all pupils receive an entitlement to one hour of music lessons per week. In this time they cover topics from singing and simple rhythm work in Year 7, song-writing in Year 8, up to complex group performances in given styles such as The Blues or Dance Music in Year 9. The curriculum is designed to be accessible to all, so that all pupils can achieve, but flexible enough to extend even the most talented musician.
Topics are planned in a spiral so that prior knowledge is built in from previous tasks to enhance learning and pupil progress. Topics are chosen that will grab students' attention as well as meeting the requirements of the National Curriculum. Music at Key Stage 3. As well as developing specific musical skills, is also about teaching pupils to solve problems and think independently. Recent educational studies have shown that pupils who can achieve well in music enhance their performance in other subjects.
KEY STAGE 4
Music is an optional subject at this more advanced level. The department follows the AQA syllabus which is based on five topics:
1. Popular song since 1960
2. Music for Film
3. Music for Dance
4. Orchestral Landmarks
5. Music for Special Events
Pupils are assessed on a portfolio comprising of one composition and two performances - a group and solo performance. They also submit an additional composition, the ‘Integrated Assignment' which is set by the exam board at Christmas in year 11 and sit a listening exam in the summer of year 11. Pupils at Canon Lee perform exceptionally well at GCSE and achieve excellent results.
Music Technology
Pupils are regularly given access to the department's 9 networked PC's and digital recording studio. Students are trained in the use of this equipment and by year 11 are expected to be able to operate it independently and record their own CDs. The Department also offers a vocational Music Technology Course
MUSIC DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES
LUNCHTIME & AFTER SCHOOL
MONDAY
KS3 samba band - g66
KS4 Music Tech - G69
TUESDAY
KS4 singing - G66
School Band - G66
WEDNESDAY
KS3 Choir - G66 KS3
Rock Bands - G78/68
THURSDAY
Theory - G66
Soul Band - G66
FRIDAY
Big Band - G66