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Performing Arts – Music

Within our Performing Arts department, we aim to develop a love of performance and an appreciation of the work of others within the subjects of Drama and Music. Students study both subjects at KS3 and can opt to master the skills and techniques of the subjects further at KS4. The Performing Arts strive to deliver access to opportunity to develop skills that students will need within the subject respectively but also that will serve them far beyond the classroom.

Please see parental overview of the Music below:

Music

Within our music curriculum our aim is to develop a love of music that inspires creativity and opens opportunities beyond the classroom. Within music, we aim to increase the self-confidence of all students and instil a sense of achievement from developing an understanding of the genres within music all the way through to the mastery of instrumental performances, with opportunities to perform throughout the school year. Empowering students to explore the universal language of music through the musical elements, instruments and technology, enables them to appreciate how music is created, communicated and received. Through opportunities to express their own musical identity our young people develop skills in both teamwork and independence and grow in the confidence needed to develop their own creativity and musical expression

Music ensures that out students develop the key skills and competences which are:

  • Develop knowledge, understanding, and an appreciation of music
  • Improvise, compose and listen to music
  • Explore cultures, musical genres and traditions
  • Play with accuracy & expression as soloists and as part of an ensemble
  • Develop knowledge of and an ability to use notation

Links for Support/Help at Home

  • Visit music shops to encourage attempting a variety of instruments to find an instrument they enjoy
  • Musical instrument use at home: scheduling 15 minutes a day to practice
  • Creation of a music library (technological or books)
  • Musical apps that are free to download (such as VirtualPiano, Musescore, BandLab, Garage Band, Teaching Gadget etc)
  • Music programmes that enable students to mix/blend music
  • Develop a love of music and introduce a range of genres (use of Spotify and other such online music libraries)
  • Encourage your child to participate in enrichment/extra-curricular clubs inside or outside of school
  • Visit music shops or music museums/exhibitions
  • Visits to festivals or concerts and attendance/participation in school productions and performances
  • Use of Bolton Music Services in school
  • Use of additional homework booklets, therapy work packs and/or additional resources from the class teacher via Synergy
  • Use of student resources located within WHS SharePoint for students

Extracurricular clubs are further opportunities for our students to develop their performance skills and showcase their talent. Clubs include a choir for all age groups, a band group and Year group drama clubs which support further development and skill acquirement for our students. Full school productions are run twice a year at Christmas and during the summer term to encourage and foster as love of performing within our school community. Theatre and musical trips are also held to enable our students to experience the arts in practice and work alongside others from outside our school population sharing a passion for performance.