Royal School, Armagh

Aims of the Music Department

Amongst other things the Music Department aims to;

1. Introduce pupils to a wealth of experience in the creative and expressive subjects, which is compatible with their interests, aspirations and needs.

2. Encourage them to participate and play a full part in all of the activities at the school

3. Encourage pupils to view an education in the creative and expressive subjects as a life long exercise so that they leave school equipped with the enthusiasm and skills to continue the process.

Specific aims of the Music Department include the delivery of the Northern Ireland Curriculum ‘Area of Study’ approach and to develop teaching programmes compatible with the examination syllabi of the contributing subjects taught within the area of study.

There is a wide range of extra curricular activities to help develop these qualities and achieve the aims beyond the formal classroom scene. These include;

School Orchestra

School Band

Junior Choir

Senior Choir

Chamber Choir

Various instrumental groups

The Music Department is a self-contained block, which houses the following;

Classroom for junior classes, classroom for senior classes, four practice rooms, rehearsal room for all vocal and instrumental groups, and recording studio (for GCSE, AS, and AL compositions.)

Extra – curricular activities

The Music Department offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities including;

Junior Choir – this is open to any pupil in Years 8 – 10. The choir’s main rehearsal is on Wednesday.

Orchestra – this is open to any pupil who has attained Grade 3 or above of any of the recognized examining boards. The orchestra’s main rehearsal is on Monday.

Band – this smaller group consists of players playing at a higher standard equivalent to Grade 6 or above of any of the recognized examining boards. The bands main rehearsal is on Monday.

Senior Choir – this is open by audition to any pupil in years 11-14. The choir’s main rehearsal is on Tuesday.

Chamber Choir – this smaller group is open by audition to any pupil in years 11 – 14. The Chamber Choirs main rehearsal is on Tuesday.

Music Tuition

Most of the main orchestral instruments are taught in the school. This tuition is carried out either on a private basis or through the Southern Education and Library Board Music Service. Tuition is open to any pupil within the school preferably to the more junior pupils. Instruments presently taught in the school include piano, clarinet, oboe, flute, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, violin, viola, cello, double bass, percussion, as well as vocal tuition. Further details can be obtained from the Head of Music.

Courses

The Music Department offers the following courses within the school.

Key Stage 3 – music is compulsory in Years 8 – 10, and is taught in two forty-minute blocks a week.

Key Stage 4 – the music course follows the NI CCEA exam board, the broad details of which can be found below. This course is taught in seven forty-minute periods in a week.

AS and AL – the music course follows the NI CCEA exam board, the broad details of which can be found below. This course is taught in seven forty-minute periods in a week.

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NI GCSE Summary of Assessment Information

Assessment Components

Composing and Appraising

Folio of two compositions with commentaries. At least one of the pieces must be the outcome of one area of study related task. (40%)

Where a candidate chooses to present two compositions related to an area of study, the second piece must relate to a different area of study. The candidate’s commentary on the compositions will be worth 10%.

Performing and Appraising

Solo and ensemble performances, which must include at least one piece, related to the same area of study as one composition. This may be a performance of the candidate’s own composition. (Up to five minutes duration) (35%)

Where a second area of study composition is not undertaken by the candidate a second performance piece related to a different area of study must be included. The candidate’s discussion of performance will be worth 5%.

Listening and Appraising

One test of aural perception consisting of up to eight questions based on music related to three areas of study. (1 hour) (25%)

Areas of study:

Music for Celebration
Musical Arrangements
Musical Traditions in Ireland