Music Curriculum Statement 2025
Intent
‘Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife’. – Kahlil Gibran
Intent
Try to imagine a world without music and you might begin to appreciate the degree to which the modern world is dependent on and shaped by it. Music is everywhere Television, radio, newspapers, magazines, advertising, film and the internet – music is manufactured and consumed in more forms and in greater quantities than ever before.
Love it or loathe it, you can never escape it. Music can change who you are and music has, and still does, shape and change the world; from fashion to politics – its impact is undeniable. Music can be incredibly therapeutic and when taking into account the various needs of our pupils it makes it even more imperative for Brookfield students to have the opportunity of music lessons.
In music studies you can create your own composition, have one to one tuition and learn an instrument. You can learn how to use recording software, how to compose to film or play with others as part of a band. Music lessons can be attained as music therapy sessions, an introduction to rock school with grading or even achieving an arts award qualification. From sensory to the sensational; there is a lesson for everyone here at Brookfield.
Implementation
At Brookfield I can deliver rock school tuition for all instruments including music technology and other media (film, photography, editing, promotion). Through music lessons not only do the pupils learn their given instrument but also get a chance to work with their peers from other forms that they might not have had the chance to meet; thus creating a team building environment, leading to positive connections between students which can have a further positive impact on the school as a whole. They can advance further through an artist development program where they can utilise my unique and vastly experienced set of skills to learn how to not only create a piece of music/film but to extend it beyond basic instrumentation tuition into multimedia projects.
As pupils develop their skills as a musician, playing a musical instrument or singing, attaining a musical grade to support their progress is a valuable way to evidence their progress and create an environment of pride through achievement.
The UK music education system is made of 8 Grades. Realistically students would only be able to attain beyond Grade three in key stage five. (Unless Mozart decides to enrol). Grade 1 is an elementary level and starts with basic notation, keys signatures and time signatures. Each subsequent grade is slightly more complex with added keys signatures, foreign terms, time signatures, musical symbols and intervals
- Grades 1 to 3 are targeted for beginner pupils
- Grades 4 to 6 are ideal for intermediate pupils
- Grade 5 introduces a theoretical element and is a gateway for Grades 6, 7 and 8 which benefit from UCAS points.
If your initial skill level is high enough, it is possible to start your examined musical journey at Grade 5, skipping out Grades 1 to 4.
To accompany this learning it’s essential that students can access the materials needed in order for them to achieve these grades. A worthwhile investment considering the impact it would have on our learners.
Impact
There is a great deal of research which shows pretty conclusively that music, drama and dance help improve academic achievements, increase self confidence, develop social skills and generally make a positive contribution to the development of those that engage in it. It has other subjects such as Maths, English and IT embedded within it, adhering to cross curriculum continuity. This means music is not only impactful to the learner and the school; but also to the world at large.
Music has a natural role in controlling people’s emotions and psyche because it is an emotive art. Music is incredibly appealing, and it has spread to every part of the globe. Its non-traditional expression form causes individuals to unconsciously resonate with music. Students can not only appreciate beauty while listening to music, but they may also reduce tension, cultivate emotions, and improve their personalities.
It can also have an impact on deeper aspects of people’s personalities, such as self-confidence. Mood disorders such as depression and anxiety are widespread. When a person is stressed, they may experience a variety of negative consequences. A stressful circumstance, for example, can affect a person’s mental ability to do ongoing duties. The use of music as a therapeutic tool has been documented throughout history. The idea of music, mood, and movement is one hypothesis that attempts to explain how music affects people’s psychological responses. According to this notion, “music causes a psychological reaction of enhanced mood, which leads to improved health outcomes.”
Music has increasingly been found to provide both physical and mental health advantages, including improvements in cardiovascular health, mental health, well being and stress reduction.
Consequently, music education is an efficient method of assisting students in overcoming their ‘dysfunctional’ personalities. Through music education students can develop their creative identities and experience a sense of self – worth and self efficacy, enabling them to overcome the multiple personality flaws generated by numerous negative factors in the current cultural environment.
‘If children are not introduced to music at an early age, I believe something fundamental is actually being taken from them.’ – Luciano Pavarotti