Last updated 5 September 2011 (refresh page for more random photos)

This site section replaces what used to be our yellow 'Course Book'. It's basically an update of the same thing to include Advanced Higher, although the Schedule is also new and the list of support materials should be expanding in time.

Department/Course Aims

To encompass the aims of the school — and those of the curriculum — in departmental policy and work.

To provide all pupils with the opportunity to:

• Play musical instruments [NB this includes singing] and give them the support they need to develop their practical skills.
• Invent, listen and respond to music.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of musical concepts, and encourage them to apply this to their own creative work.
• Realise their full musical potential.
• To provide a broad range of new musical experiences and encourage an open-minded approach to these.
• To encourage participation in musical activities both in and out of the school, and help to develop the pupils' awareness that music is there to be enjoyed for life.

To operate a policy of equal opportunity, regardless of race, gender or ability.

S3–4 Intermediate Music Course

So why Int 1/2 instead of Standard Grade?

It's quite simple, really. We made the change and started offering Intermediate 1 & 2 courses to new S3–4 classes from Session 2002–3 because Standard Grade still made an artificial distinction between 'solo' and 'group' instruments at this time and it was limiting what our pupils could do. Since this restriction was subsequently removed, we could perhaps have changed back... but won't do so now with proposed new courses on the horizon yet again!

While the current SQA Music courses offer two options ('Music with Performing' and 'Music with Technology'), S3–4 pupils at Kinlochleven will normally study Music with Performing as a straight Standard Grade replacement, with their presentation level (Intermediate 1 or 2) in S4 depending largely on their progress during S3. An Access alternative can be provided if required, but small classes and motivated pupils should mean that most are capable of achieving an Intermediate award.

The Music with Performing course comprises three units:

• Music: Composing
• Music: Listening
• Music: Performing

Composing (called Inventing in Standard Grade!) is basically making up music, and should involve using techniques from the listening course (learning about different types of music).

Listening covers a wide range of styles including blues, rock and pop, Scottish music, various types of 'classical' music, world music and jazz. It should be an interesting and eye-opening journey, but does require an open mind and a willingness to try new things.

Performing normally requires performance on two different instruments (or one instrument and voice). Most pupils choose from the selection provided in class (tuned percussion, keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, drums and voice), with strings also available to those who have been taking lessons in primary/S1–2 and many other instruments possible for pupils with access to outside tuition.

Because our Yamaha keyboards provide classroom sequencing and playback facilities otherwise only available through computing, pupils at KHS will normally do some keyboard work in addition to their two 'chosen' studies.

S5–6 Intermediate/Higher/Advanced Higher Music Course

While the S5–6 course takes the same basic shape as the S3–4 course described above, it attempts to cater for any of the following scenarios:

• Pupils continuing to study Music and moving up (or occasionally repeating) a level.
• Pupils returning to Music in S5 or S6 for the first time since S2.
• Pupils returning to Music in S6 for the first time since S4.

It may involve study at any appropriate level from Intermediate 1 to Advanced Higher (now also covered by this page) and it may also be possible to offer the 'Music with Technology' option and/or some of the newer free-standing units. Since, however, there are limits to the number of courses it's possible to run simultaneously in a single-teacher music department, interested pupils should consult the teacher before assuming that all courses will run at all levels.

Assessment

Please note that the following requirements apply to Music with Performing and you should consult the teacher for Music with Technology arrangements (will post these to the Discussion area for those who need them).

Composing is assessed on a 'pass' or 'fail' basis, which means that you must pass the unit to gain your overall course award but no composing mark is counted in your final grade:

• For Intermediate 1, you must prepare a folio containing a recording of an original composition lasting at least 1 minute with a score/performance plan and a programme note.
• For Intermediate 2, you must prepare a folio containing a recording of one or two original compositions lasting at least 1 minute 30 seconds with a score/performance plan and a programme note for each piece.
• For Higher, you must prepare a folio containing a recording of two original compositions lasting at least 1 minute each with a score/performance plan and a programme note for each piece.
• For Advanced Higher, you must prepare a folio containing a recording of two original compositions lasting at least 1 minute 30 seconds each with a score/performance plan and a programme note for each piece.

Performing is assessed in school at appropriate times and by practical exams (worth 60% of your total course marks) in February/March of your exam year (which always seems to come round sooner than you expect!) for most levels, but May for Advanced Higher:

• For Intermediate 1, you must prepare a 4 minute programme containing at least two contrasting pieces (three contrasting styles for drums) at Grade 2 standard or above for each instrument.
• For Intermediate 2, you must prepare a 4 minute programme containing at least two contrasting pieces (four contrasting styles for drums) at Grade 3 standard or above for each instrument.
• For Higher, you must prepare a 10 minute programme (five contrasting styles for drums) at Grade 4 standard or above for your first instrument and an equivalent 5 minute programme for your second.
• For Advanced Higher, you must prepare a 15 minute programme (six contrasting styles for drums) at Grade 5 standard or above for your first instrument and an equivalent 10 minute programme for your second.

An important requirement of the new courses from Session 2006–7 is that all music performed for assessment must be pre-approved by the exam board. This means submitting it to them by 31 October unless it:

• Appears in SQA's National Qualifications in Music: Performing (latest version = 1.04MB PDF download).
• Appears/has appeared in the corresponding syllabus of ABRSM, Trinity Guildhall, Rockschool, or London College of Music.
• Has been previously approved for this school by SQA.

Listening is assessed by NABs at any appropriate time and a written exam (worth 40% of your total course marks) in May/June of your exam year. You will be tested on your ability to recognise/discuss a range of musical and stylistic concepts (see KHS Course Topics and SQA Listening Concepts) and to relate music heard to paper notation (see SQA Literacy Content).

While the only new concepts as such at Advanced Higher are those relating to Literacy Content, this level requires a greater understanding of the concepts listed at Higher and below. You also need to write an in-depth Listening Commentary of between 1,500 and 2,000 words analysing and comparing two or more works or movements.