Music

In Key Stages 3 and 4, pupils develop performance, composition, and listening skills across a wide range of styles, from classical to contemporary. Music enhances teamwork, resilience, and problem-solving, which are valuable skills for any future path.

Whether pupils are budding musicians or just love exploring sound, our inclusive and inspiring curriculum ensures every student can enjoy, create, and appreciate music while developing lifelong skills.

Music is taught from Year 7 and in Key Stage 3 the curriculum is based around three main activities:

• Performing
• Composing
• Listening

Lessons follow a clear course of study and incorporate a wide variety of experiences and activities. Each unit is carefully designed so that it has a good balance of practical and theoretical activities.

Pupils also experience Music Technology with score writing (Flat) and sequencing (Soundtrap and/or Bandlab).

GCSE Music and GCSE Music Twilight Option

GCSE Music is offered to all Year 10 and Year 11 pupils as an option and also to Year 9 and Year 10 pupils who wish to start GCSE a year early as a ‘Twilight’ subject.

GCSE Music enables students to develop skills and interest through performance, listening to music and composing. The course is ideally suited to those who already play an instrument or sing and would like a deeper insight into the subject. It is essential for anyone considering study of Music at a higher level and provides an excellent core of knowledge and skills for all who participate in music-making.

Performance: Pupils can perform on any instrument or voice and will prepare two pieces (one solo, one duet/ensemble) to last a minimum of four minutes. The standard level for this element is grade 3 and above. Any style is welcome: classical, pop, rock or musical theatre.

Composing: Pupils will explore and express their own ideas after being taught various practical composition techniques.

Understanding Music: Pupils study various musical styles for the listening element of this paper, such as the Western Classical Tradition, Popular music, Musical Theatre, Blues, Jazz, Film music and Fusion. Pupils also study two set works.

GCSE Music is not only a fantastically creative course, our students also develop technical skills such as control, expression and interpretation, build their confidence in performing and develop their knowledge of music theory.

Co-curricular Activities

There are numerous opportunities for pupils of all abilities to get involved with the music scene at Sheffield Girls’ outside of lessons.

Ensemble opportunities include:

• Gig and Swing Band
• Flute and Clarinet ensembles
• Various choirs including A Capella groups
• Rock School
• Songwriters’ Club
• String Academy
• Senior Strings
• Sixth Form Choir

School performance opportunities include: Performance Platform, Christmas Concert, Winter Showcase and COTSY (Celebration of the School Year), Spring and Summer Serenades, Musical productions, Annual Celebration of the Arts, Gig night and more informal opportunities to perform such as alumnae events, assemblies and open mornings.

We regularly run Music trips to Cologne, Paris and the Rhineland.

Peripatetic Music Lessons

We are lucky enough to work with 16 highly experienced and talented music teachers who visit the school weekly to provide additional instrumental and voice tuition within school hours.

Individual tuition is available in a variety of musical instruments and disciplines including piano, violin, viola, cello, bass, clarinet, flute, piccolo, recorder, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, French horn, guitar, voice, percussion and harp.

Music is highly valued at Sheffield Girls’ and we are very proud of our young musicians’ achievements.