The music department at Sawtry Community College is set in a purpose built building consisting of two teaching rooms, one of which is equipped with a suite of computers, Yamaha keyboards and an interactive whiteboard. The other, also equipped with Yamaha keyboards, offers a large space which is used for rehearsing various groups and ensembles.

We also benefit from two practice rooms that are used by the visiting instrumental teachers and by the students during morning break and lunchtime for individual or group practice.

Staffing consists of one full-time and one part time member of staff and we currently have seven visiting instrumental teachers.  

Music at Key Stage 3

Students from years 7 to 9 have one lesson of music per fortnight and will be given performing, composing and listening activities delivered through relevant topics and projects. Students will also learn how to create music using Cubase, a music sequencing package.

Topics covered in Year 7

• Beat, Rhythm and Pitch
• Fanfares
• Musicals
• Carnival Of The Animals
• Calypso
• Sequencing with samples

 

Topics covered in Year 8

• Gospel Music
• Chinese Music
• Rock And Roll
• Programme Music
• MIDI sequencing

 

Topics covered in Year 9

• Club Dance Remix
• Film Music
• Using a Sequencer to compose music for a film clip
• Adverts and Jingles
• Pachelbel’s Canon

 

Music at Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4, the students will follow the Edexcel GCSE specification. In year 10, the students have five lessons per fortnight and in year 11, they have six lessons per fortnight. The students have to study twelve set works from four different areas of study, which build on the topics studied at Key Stage 3.

The students will have to compose two pieces of music in different styles, perform a solo on an instrument of their choice (including voice) and perform in a group. The students will also sit a listening paper at the end of the course based on the twelve set works they have studied throughout years 10 and 11. They also study specific key skills including basic music theory, aural skills and competence in using the music notation software (Sibelius) and music sequencing software (Cubase).

The students following the GCSE course are encouraged to perform both solo and ensemble pieces in concerts / shows that the music department organise.

Music at Key Stage 5

Currently, there is no formal courses running at Key Stage 5, but this year we are offering a Music Technology option as part of the school’s enrichment programme in the sixth form. Throughout this course, students will study:

• Music Sequencing
• Recording techniques
• Sound synthesis
• Sampling and remix techniques

 

Extra-Curricular Music at Sawtry Community College

The students at Sawtry Community College are actively encouraged to take part in the various music groups that rehearse weekly throughout the year. The music department organise several major events throughout the year, including a Christmas Carol concert and a musical. Students are also able to get involved with ‘backstage’ jobs such as sound and lighting.

The current groups that are students are able to join are:

• Concert Band
• Brass Group
• Rhythm and Blues Band
• Chorus

 

Students need not wait to be invited to join these, anyone who is interested, please see Mr G.H. Green in the music department.

 

 

Instrumental Lessons

We have seven visiting instrumental teachers and offer music tuition across a wide range of popular and classical instruments. Please see the separate page on instrumental lessons for more details on the lessons and how to apply.

We currently offer tuition in:

• Guitar and Bass Guitar – Mr C. Watson and Mr J. Bamforth
• Drum Kit – Mr M. Miles
• Singing – Mr J. Jessop
• Brass – Mr G. Green
• Piano – Mrs C. Patmore-Hill
• Woodwind – Mr C. Radford
• Strings – Mrs N. Weston

Music CAREERS

coming soon..