The Music Department

"Music is the universal language of mankind."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Music Department at Ripon Grammar School aims to give all pupils the opportunity to become involved in and enjoy making music throughout all key stages.

Key Stage Three:

During Key Stage three pupils will undertake a balanced programme of activities which will allow all of the pupils to succeed. The pupils will be exposed to a wide range of musical styles and experiences, they will have chances to play a range of instruments, listen to numerous pieces and create their own pieces. There is a wide range of musical material, recordings, computers, instruments and recording equipment available to enable the pupils to build upon their own interests, abilities and tastes in music whilst encouraging them to discover new fields of music. During Year 7 and Year 8 pupils will have two forty minute Music lessons per week, during Year 9 pupils will have one full form forty minute lesson plus one half form forty minute lesson.

Key Stage Four:

At Key Stage Four pupils will follow the Edexcel GCSE Music syllabus which offers a wide range of musical experiences and caters for a range of musical tastes and abilities. There are also options that may be offered to aid those pupils wishing to follow a Music Technology pathway rather than the traditional Music route. This course serves to develop the three main areas of music; performing, composing and listening/theory. Areas of Study for GCSE Music are: 1) Form and Structure in Western Classical Music 1600 - 1899, 2) Western Art Music since 1900 focussing upon compositional styles and techniques, 3) Britpop, Dance Music since 1985 and Musicals, 4) African Music, Indian Music and Fusions.

Post 16:

The Music Department offers Edexcel AS and A2 Music as well as AS and A2 Music Technology.

The AS and A2 Music course continues to build upon the three main areas covered at GCSE: performing, composing and listening/theory. For AS/A2 Music pupils will study set musical works from a range of musical styles and periods.

AS/A2 Music Technology uses both the recording equipment and computers and requires the students to have an in-depth knowledge of the development of music technology, film music and popular music. Music Technology students are required to develop their recording skills, as well as their skills as an arranger, using both sequencing and notating software, and as a composer. To aid with these developments the Music Department boasts a suite of 15 i-Mac computers running Sibelius and Logic Express as well as an excellent recording studio using Digidesign ProTools.

Extra-curricular Activities:

Ripon Grammar school hosts a very busy Music Department that frequently demonstrates a high standard of performances both in concerts, local competitions, Music for Youth festivals and on foreign tours.

Current ensembles are:

Monday:
Lower School Big Band
Chamber Choir

Tuesday:
Saxability
Orchestra

Wednesday:
Improvising Group
First Year Band
Upper School Big Band

Thursday:
Brass Group

Friday:
Rock Workshop
Musicality Choir (Lower School)

The Music Department ensembles frequently represent the school in a range of events such as Harrogate Festival, Music For Youth, The Great Yorkshire Show, Voices for Hospices, Harrogate International Youth Music Festival, The National Teachers' Awards and local charity events.

Within school the music department also hosts three annual concerts, the R Factor competition, Music Awards and Battle of the Bands.