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 contact the college for information 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

•   Agent

Agents represent performers and creative team members who work across the disciplines of Film, Television (including Commercials), Radio, and Theatre.

•   Arts administrator

Administrators are responsible for areas such as accountancy, fundraising, publicity, organising exhibitions, customer care and management of people and buildings.

•   Booking agent

Booking agents provide an essential service to artists/bands by helping to find gigs and venues - in essence acting as an agent through which the band or artist can find paid work.

•   Classical musician

Classical musicians perform, compose and/or conduct music. They might play an instrument or sing live or recorded classical music, do session work for backing tracks, adverts and films, conduct performances, or write music.

•   Composer/arranger

Music composers write compositions by applying knowledge of musical elements such as rhythm, melody and texture.

•   Concert promoter

Concert Promoters in the music industry can work for individual performers, a company or a particular venue.

•   Development staff

Development staff in music work with others to establish, develop and manage music related activities.

•   Distribution staff, music

Distribution staff are responsible for getting records into retail outlets so they are available to the public.

•   DJ

DJs (disc jockeys) play recorded music for audiences on the radio or at live venues, often making original mixes of two or more tracks of music.

 

•   Events staff

Events staff work with centre and gallery and theatre managers to manage/organise/oversee an event taking place at the venue or organised for promotional purposes.

•   Licensing and royalty collection

Licensing and royalty collection staff are responsible for ensuring that musicians, performers, artists, orchestras, composers, and anyone involved in recorded music are able to protect copyright and collect royalties owed to them.

•   Lyricist/song writer

Writers develop a tune or harmony into a song, or write the words for a song.

•   Management - record retail

A record retail manager manages a retail store that sells records, video and other products associated with recorded music.

•   Management and admin

All live events and venues need accounting and administrative support to take care of the business activity. The work covers areas such as accountancy, publicity, organising exhibitions, customer care and management of people and buildings.

•   Management record label

Record labels need managers and administration staff to carry out a range of tasks that support the label to run.

•   Manager - arts centre

All cultural activities and organisations need accounting and administrative support to take care of their business activity.

•   Manager - music

Managers promote and plan the careers of the artists they manage, who can be singers, musicians, performers or anyone else working in the music or creative industries.

•   Marketing - record retail/record label

Marketing managers in record retail are responsible for directing all marketing activity for a record retailer. Marketing managers with record labels are responsible for directing all marketing activity for the labels products and services.

•   Music and audio manufacturer

Musical instrument and audio equipment makers produce instruments and audio equipment that gives a high quality of sound.

•   Music conductor

Music conductors help groups of instrumentalists and singers to interpret and perform pieces of music.

•   Music director

Music directors are responsible for making the creative decisions associated with a live performance.

•   Music industry promotions manager

A music industry promotions manager finds publicity opportunities for solo instrumentalists, singers and bands, or for live music venues.

•   Music publisher

Music publishing is concerned with developing, protecting and valuing songwriters and composers, and the music they create. They 'discover' new songwriters and composers, and encourage them to develop their talent.

•   Music teacher

The education and training sector requires talented, well-trained, versatile and qualified musicians who can teach and lead in a wide variety of learning settings, including both in and out of schools.

•   Musical instrument maker/repairer

Musical instrument makers / repairers and tuners produce and maintain instruments and equipment to give a high quality of sound.

•   Musical instruments and audio equipment distribution

Many musical instruments, particularly electronic instruments and equipment are manufactured abroad and imported.

•   Performer

Performers are musicians, including singers, classical and popular musicians and backing or support performers who perform in front of a live audience at a show or concert.

•   Popular musician/recording artist

Popular musicians play in bands, as solo artists or as session musicians.

•   Producer, Engineer

A producer's role is to pull together the component parts of a sound recording, working with a band, deciding on the musicians required, what type of recording process and how much budget is available for the studio time.

•   Producer, live events

Producers of live events are responsible for ensuring the smooth running and success of a live event.

•   Publicity and promotions

Promotions managers in the music industry can work for individual performers, a record company or a particular venue.

•   Record production and marketing

In record manufacturing there are people who make the CDs that are available in the shops.

•   Recording industry producer

Recording industry producers organise all aspects of a recording session.

•   Sales staff (music)

Sales staff in music work directly with customers, answering queries, giving information and selling products.

•   Sound technician

Sound technicians prepare, operate and maintain technical equipment to amplify, enhance, mix or reproduce sound for audio recordings, films, radio and television programmes, and live performances, including theatre.

•   Studio management

Recording studios need managers and administration staff to carry out a range of tasks that support the studio to run and, where they are independent to get paid by clients.

•   Technical support

Staging live events such as large pop concerts and tours is a major undertaking and requires a well coordinated operation carried out by 'roadies', or technical support as they are also known. technical support as they are also known.

•    Music Therapist

Music therapists use music creatively to help their clients address social, emotional or physical problems. They work with children and adults of all ages and social backgrounds and in a variety of settings.