About the department

The Music department at PCHS explores a range of topics, and is taught from KS3-5.

The KS3 Music curriculum is designed to enable students to build on skills learned at Middle School and explore how Music communicates emotions and ideas across a variety of time periods, cultures and styles.

Students are then given the opportunity to study Music at GCSE level. Just as with every art-based subject at PCHS, Music compliments its sister subjects through increasing awareness of historical and cultural differences. The course is split into three components: Performing, Composing and Appraising with students able to choose their performance pieces in conjunction with their instrumental teachers, able to expand their musical imaginations through a free and briefed composition and finally studying eight set-works including pieces from Star Wars and Wicked through the appraising component. The skills learnt through these three components stand the students in very good stead to continue their musical education at a higher level at the end of their study and of course promote a level of excellence in complimentary extra-curricular activities.

In Sixth Form, students can opt to take A-Level Music. Students further their study into the world of music, and explore the future opportunities that the subject can offer in addition to building upon their academic studies at GCSE. Again, the interest in this subject is growing, as the qualification and the subsequent skills that are gained apply to a wide variety of future pathways, particularly in the Digital Media sector as demand for media products grows.

Studying Music

Music students should be open-minded, co-operative, and dedicated. The Music curriculum enables students to access a wide variety of future training and careers, and encourages students to develop a variety of transferable skills which are valued in many walks of life, including teamwork, self-confidence, and the ability to communicate effectively.

The course enables students to nurture their practical talents, whilst also expanding their written abilities. As with the other arts, Music combines both written and practical skills, and prompts students to utilise their imagination to create engaging performances and compositions.

Music encourages self-discipline, adaptability, flexibility, and forces students to trust their own ideas, but also listen to others, particularly through ensemble performances. These skills are extremely valued in the workplace, and highly sought by employers.

To view our Winter Concert 2021 please click here.