We pride ourselves on being a welcoming community of music-makers who strive for success in whatever we do, endeavouring to foster creativity and promote musical development within our students. We offer a variety of extra-curricular clubs, which allow all musicians within our school, irrespective of instrument, to participate in the wider life of the college. With concerts regularly throughout the year, there are often opportunities to represent the school in a public setting including our bi-annual international concert tours which have included London, Paris and Germany and will see seventy students go to London in July 2023. In 2020, we were a finalist of the Music & Drama Education Awards and in 2022 we won the Music Department of the Year award. We are extremely proud of all the students and staff who make the Music Department what it is. We look forward to welcoming all prospective students to our musical community!
Key Stage 3
Within Key Stage 3 our students follow a knowledge rich curriculum. Lessons are practical and allow students to develop their skills on drums, piano, guitar and ukulele.
Theoretical understanding of key concepts is interwoven throughout the scheme of learning. We encourage creativity, practicality and ensemble performance and hope that the enthusiasm and passion in the teaching result in students loving the subject even more.
Key Stage 4
Within Key Stage 4 our pupils follow the Eduqas specification. The course is 60% practical & allows students to create two compositions and perform as a solo and an ensemble. All lessons are practical and are interwoven with key theoretical concepts; students are encouraged to explore these key concepts and apply them to whatever they listen to. Students take on mentoring roles within the extra-curricular groups which not only develops them as individuals but also as musicians.
Key Stage 5
Within Key Stage 5 our pupils follow the Btec Level 3 Extended Certificate in Music Performance. The results are always exemplary allowing a number of students go on to study music at various universities throughout the country. This course is primarily coursework based with one controlled examination in planning a music event.
Staff
- Mr I Marshallsay (Head of Department)
- Miss S Beecroft
Intent & implementation
The aim in the music department is to enable students the opportunity if they so wish to continue their study of music at GCSE level. Knowledge will cover the areas of study at GCSE that are music for stage and screen, fusion pieces, the western classical tradition and music for voice. Students will develop skills on guitar, ukulele, keyboard and vocals and where applicable their own instrument. Understanding of musical elements will be used to develop skills in composition. Reviews of knowledge, skills and understanding will regularly take place throughout each year to make sure students are making the best possible progress and these will be formative to inform future topics.
A typical lesson at key stage three will consist of a topic linked to one of the areas studied and these will be explored through listening, appreciation, performance and composition. Using instruments in the classroom will be encouraged and resources will be differentiated to allow students of all levels to make progress. Students will be encouraged to think deeper and independently about topics through extension activities and do it now tasks. Students will be encouraged to be creative and participate in curriculum enrichment activities such as concerts or by involvement in extra-curricular groups.
Developing Cultural Capital
Music truly epitomizes all that is cultural, a rich language of universality used to communicate our culture and our beliefs to an international audience. The study of music at UCC offers all pupils that initial glimpse into the vast world of music and helps to define their own sense of existence through the use of musical styles and compositional approaches which enable them all to explore their own individuality within a greater framework.
Extracurricular opportunities
We offer a variety of free extra-curricular clubs, which are open to all students. The training band is for beginners and gives every student the taste of ensemble playing. The streetband is a lively community style samba band which develops rhythm and ensemble skills in a fun and loud environment. The UCC Singers is a fab and supportive group for any student who enjoys singing; something which has been proven to help mental and physical health. UCC String Orchestra is a small chamber group suitable for all string players of any ability. Guitar Group is a fun group to learn and get better at guitar for anyone. UCC Brass Band is slowly turning into a full size group for the more experienced brass player. UCC Concert Band is the group which regularly performs at concerts and as part of the bi-annual music tours, similarly UCC Big Band perform at concerts and is a challenging but fulfilling group to be part of.
The extra-curricular timetable can be found here.
Careers Education
In whatever topic of music potential careers and roles within the music industry are discussed and made relevant. Skills that can be honed form the music curriculum are also linked to careers and jobs. As music is part of the largest sector in the world – the arts; it is very easy to see how music links to careers. For example through the study of film or moving image students see how jobs such as advertising, promotion, sound engineers and directors can also stem from this genre. The soft skills of music such as group work and listening are also linked to the skills required for the majority of jobs.
Additional Music Lessons
We have strong relationships with various peripatetic music teachers at UCC.
They come into school and offer lessons in a variety of instruments – parents pay them directly and they alternate lesson times so that students don’t miss the same timetabled subject every week.
Piano lessons
Dawn Smart
dawn@mysmartmusic.co.uk
Individual 30-minute lessons cost £16.00 and are payable at the beginning of a session, which is usually a block of 10 lessons = £160.00
Due to the coronavirus and the hardship we are facing because of it, individual 20-minute lessons at a cost of £12.00 are available = £120.00
Cello/Double Bass/Bass Guitar Lessons
Richard Evans
revans333@yahoo.co.uk
It costs £20.00 per year to rent a cello or a double bass.
The costs for lessons per term (which need to be paid in advance) are:
- 20 minute individual lesson: £10.00 (block of ten @ £100.00)
- 30 minute individual lesson: £15.00 (block of ten @ £150.00)
Clarinet/Tuba Lessons
Diane Stewart
stewartie76@gmail.com
It costs £30.00 per year to rent one of these instruments.
The costs of lessons per term (which need to be paid in advance) are:
- 20 minute individual lesson: £10.00 (block of twelve @ £120.00)
- 30 minute individual lesson: £15.00 (block of twelve @ £180.00)
Singing Lessons
Jennifer Heron
info@carlislesinginglessons.co.uk
£15.00 per 30 minute lesson and these are payable in half-termly blocks.
Violin/Viola Lessons
Katharine Bowness
katharine.bowness@gmail.com
It costs £20.00 per year to rent a violin or a viola.
The costs of lessons per term (which need to be paid in advance) are:
- 20 minute individual lesson: £10.00 (block of ten = £100.00)
- 30 minute individual lesson: £15.00 (block of ten = £150.00)
Guitar Lessons
Stuart Sidney
stusid@icloud.com
The charge is £15.00 for a 30 minute lesson, or £10.00 for a 20 minute lesson, and lessons are booked in 10 week blocks = £150.00 or £100.00
They also need to have their own guitar – please get in touch if you need any advice about buying guitars.
Clarinet/Flute/Saxophone Lessons
Garry Linsley
garrylinsley@gmail.com
It costs £30.00 per year to rent a clarinet, flute or saxophone.
The costs of lessons per term (which need to be paid in advance) are:
- 20 minute individual lesson: £10.00 each (block of ten = £100.00)
- 30 minute individual lesson: £15.00 each (block of ten = £150.00)
- In view of the current global pandemic we have decided to suspend group lessons for the time being.
Drum Lessons
Robert Marsden
- 30 minute individual lesson: £17.50 (term £175)
- 1 hour individual lesson: £30 (term £300)
Brass Lessons – Trumpet/Cornet/French Horn/Trombone/Euphonium/Tuba/Tenor Horn/Baritone Horn
Kath Wignall
mumsiewumsie@googlemail.com
It costs £20 per year to rent any instrument.
The costs of instrumental lessons per term (which need to be paid in advance) are:
- 30 minute individual lesson: £15 (block of ten @ £150)
- 20 minute individual lesson: £10 (block of ten @ £100)
- 30 minute group lesson based on two sharing: £7.50 (block of ten @ £75)
Brass Lessons
Ian Butterworth
ianbutterworth747@btinternet.com
It costs £20 per year to rent any instrument.
The costs of instrumental lessons are:
- 30 minute individual lesson: £15 (block of ten @ £150)
- 20 minute individual lesson: £10 (block of ten @ £100)
- 30 minute group lesson based on two sharing: £7.50 (block of ten @ £75)
Music Mark
