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Music
Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything. - Plato
Staff
Mr M. Bartlett (Director of Music)
Mr M. Schlamm
Music Department
Vision, Curriculum Intent and Overview
Our Vision
We aim to nurture creativity, confidence and self-discipline in every student. Through music, we provide opportunities to develop both musical and personal skills, helping students prepare for future education and the wider world.
Our Curriculum Intent
We strongly believe that music should be accessible to all. Our curriculum is designed to ensure that every student, regardless of prior experience, can engage with and enjoy music.
At Dover Grammar School for Girls, our music curriculum develops:
- Musical competence and creativity
- Cultural awareness and understanding
- Critical listening and evaluation skills
Students explore a wide range of musical styles—from Baroque to contemporary, classical to popular and world music—gaining insight into the diverse musical landscape that surrounds us.
Our carefully sequenced curriculum supports progression over time, enabling students to:
- Build confidence in performance and composition
- Develop the ability to analyse and evaluate music
- Reflect on and refine their own work
- Grow resilience and independence as musicians
Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9)
Students join us with a wide range of musical experiences. Our Key Stage 3 curriculum builds strong foundations through a spiral approach, revisiting and developing key skills in performing, composing and appraising across three years.
Year 7: Building Foundations
In Year 7, students begin by developing their confidence and core musical skills through:
- Finding Your Voice – exploring vocal skills and ensemble performance
- Keys and Clefs – understanding treble clef notation and developing keyboard skills
- Programme Music – composing and appraising music that tells a story
Year 8: Developing Skills and Understanding
In Year 8, students deepen their musical knowledge and practical abilities through:
- Rhythm and Pulse (World Music) – exploring rhythmic traditions from around the world
- All About the Bass – understanding bass lines and their role in music
- Theme and Variation – developing composition skills through creating and manipulating musical ideas
Year 9: Applying and Extending Learning
In Year 9, students apply their learning in more independent and creative contexts:
- Stage and Screen – exploring music written for film, television and theatre
- Songwriting – creating original songs using melody, lyrics and structure
- Dance Music and Music Production – using technology to create and produce music
Across all three years, students engage in:
- Practical performance
- Creative composition
- Listening and appraising
- Understanding musical context
Students also benefit from access to a range of instruments and music technology, enabling them to explore modern music-making and industry practices.
Key Stage 4 (GCSE Music)
At GCSE, students build on their Key Stage 3 learning while developing more advanced skills across three components:
- Performing
- Composing
- Appraising
We follow the Eduqas GCSE Music specification, which includes four Areas of Study:
- Musical Forms and Devices
- Music for Ensemble
- Film Music
- Popular Music
Students explore music from different historical periods, cultures and genres, making links between listening, performing and composing.
Throughout the course, students:
- Develop performance skills on their chosen instrument or voice
- Experiment with compositional techniques
- Complete coursework in both performance and composition
- Develop appraising skills in preparation for the written examination
Key Stage 5 (BTEC Level 3 Music Performance)
At Key Stage 5, students can study the BTEC Level 3 Certificate or Extended Certificate in Music Performance, a practical and coursework-based qualification designed to develop skills for further study and careers in the music industry.
This course builds on the foundations established at Key Stages 3 and 4, with a strong emphasis on practical performance, rehearsal and professional development.
Students will:
- Develop their skills as solo and ensemble performers
- Rehearse and perform a variety of musical styles
- Explore techniques for effective practice and performance preparation
- Gain an understanding of the music industry and professional practice
A key focus of the course is preparing students for real-world musical experiences, including:
- Live performance
- Collaborative work with others
- Reflecting on and evaluating their performances
Assessment is based primarily on coursework, allowing students to demonstrate their progress through practical work and portfolio evidence.
This pathway is ideal for students with a passion for music, whether as a future aspiration or a personal interest. It supports those who wish to continue developing their skills for enjoyment, as well as those considering further education, university study or careers in performance and the wider creative industries
Enrichment and Opportunities
We offer a wide range of enrichment opportunities to support students’ musical development, creativity and enjoyment beyond the classroom. These activities are open to all students, regardless of experience, and encourage participation, collaboration and performance.
Students have access to:
- A wide range of instruments
- Music technology and software
- Opportunities to perform and collaborate
Our extra-curricular activities include:
- Vocal Group – for students who enjoy singing as part of an ensemble
- Harmonix – a Year 7 and 8 singing club building confidence and vocal skills
- Rock School – developing skills in guitar, bass and drums in a band setting
- Mixed Orchestral Ensemble – open to instrumentalists of all backgrounds
- String Ensemble – for students specialising in string instruments
These opportunities allow students to develop their musical interests, build confidence, and experience the enjoyment of making music together as part of a community
Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything. - Plato
Staff
Mr M. Bartlett (Director of Music)
Mr M. Schlamm
Music Department
Vision, Curriculum Intent and Overview
Our Vision
We aim to nurture creativity, confidence and self-discipline in every student. Through music, we provide opportunities to develop both musical and personal skills, helping students prepare for future education and the wider world.
Our Curriculum Intent
We strongly believe that music should be accessible to all. Our curriculum is designed to ensure that every student, regardless of prior experience, can engage with and enjoy music.
At Dover Grammar School for Girls, our music curriculum develops:
- Musical competence and creativity
- Cultural awareness and understanding
- Critical listening and evaluation skills
Students explore a wide range of musical styles—from Baroque to contemporary, classical to popular and world music—gaining insight into the diverse musical landscape that surrounds us.
Our carefully sequenced curriculum supports progression over time, enabling students to:
- Build confidence in performance and composition
- Develop the ability to analyse and evaluate music
- Reflect on and refine their own work
- Grow resilience and independence as musicians
Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9)
Students join us with a wide range of musical experiences. Our Key Stage 3 curriculum builds strong foundations through a spiral approach, revisiting and developing key skills in performing, composing and appraising across three years.
Year 7: Building Foundations
In Year 7, students begin by developing their confidence and core musical skills through:
- Finding Your Voice – exploring vocal skills and ensemble performance
- Keys and Clefs – understanding treble clef notation and developing keyboard skills
- Programme Music – composing and appraising music that tells a story
Year 8: Developing Skills and Understanding
In Year 8, students deepen their musical knowledge and practical abilities through:
- Rhythm and Pulse (World Music) – exploring rhythmic traditions from around the world
- All About the Bass – understanding bass lines and their role in music
- Theme and Variation – developing composition skills through creating and manipulating musical ideas
Year 9: Applying and Extending Learning
In Year 9, students apply their learning in more independent and creative contexts:
- Stage and Screen – exploring music written for film, television and theatre
- Songwriting – creating original songs using melody, lyrics and structure
- Dance Music and Music Production – using technology to create and produce music
Across all three years, students engage in:
- Practical performance
- Creative composition
- Listening and appraising
- Understanding musical context
Students also benefit from access to a range of instruments and music technology, enabling them to explore modern music-making and industry practices.
Key Stage 4 (GCSE Music)
At GCSE, students build on their Key Stage 3 learning while developing more advanced skills across three components:
- Performing
- Composing
- Appraising
We follow the Eduqas GCSE Music specification, which includes four Areas of Study:
- Musical Forms and Devices
- Music for Ensemble
- Film Music
- Popular Music
Students explore music from different historical periods, cultures and genres, making links between listening, performing and composing.
Throughout the course, students:
- Develop performance skills on their chosen instrument or voice
- Experiment with compositional techniques
- Complete coursework in both performance and composition
- Develop appraising skills in preparation for the written examination
Key Stage 5 (BTEC Level 3 Music Performance)
At Key Stage 5, students can study the BTEC Level 3 Certificate or Extended Certificate in Music Performance, a practical and coursework-based qualification designed to develop skills for further study and careers in the music industry.
This course builds on the foundations established at Key Stages 3 and 4, with a strong emphasis on practical performance, rehearsal and professional development.
Students will:
- Develop their skills as solo and ensemble performers
- Rehearse and perform a variety of musical styles
- Explore techniques for effective practice and performance preparation
- Gain an understanding of the music industry and professional practice
A key focus of the course is preparing students for real-world musical experiences, including:
- Live performance
- Collaborative work with others
- Reflecting on and evaluating their performances
Assessment is based primarily on coursework, allowing students to demonstrate their progress through practical work and portfolio evidence.
This pathway is ideal for students with a passion for music, whether as a future aspiration or a personal interest. It supports those who wish to continue developing their skills for enjoyment, as well as those considering further education, university study or careers in performance and the wider creative industries
Enrichment and Opportunities
We offer a wide range of enrichment opportunities to support students’ musical development, creativity and enjoyment beyond the classroom. These activities are open to all students, regardless of experience, and encourage participation, collaboration and performance.
Students have access to:
- A wide range of instruments
- Music technology and software
- Opportunities to perform and collaborate
Our extra-curricular activities include:
- Vocal Group – for students who enjoy singing as part of an ensemble
- Harmonix – a Year 7 and 8 singing club building confidence and vocal skills
- Rock School – developing skills in guitar, bass and drums in a band setting
- Mixed Orchestral Ensemble – open to instrumentalists of all backgrounds
- String Ensemble – for students specialising in string instruments
These opportunities allow students to develop their musical interests, build confidence, and experience the enjoyment of making music together as part of a community
