Aims Our aim in music is to give students the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument, sing and give them exposure and knowledge of all kinds of music. During music lessons in Years 7-9, students learn to play the keyboard using both hands correctly, take part in class singing and learn about music from all genres; from classical to popular to music from around the world.

Facilities

The music department comprises of two large classrooms equipped with electronic keyboards and percussion. There is a network of fourteen computers with software such as Sibelius 6 installed. In addition, there are five air-conditioned, fully equipped practice rooms. We have a Yamaha Grand Piano in the Primmer Assesmbly Hall as well as two acousitc and three electric pianos under four years old. In 2012 a state of the art recording studio with soundproof booth was installed.

Instrumental Lessons

We have nine visiting instrumental teachers and lessons are avaliable to students from all years in guitar, flute, saxophone, clarinet, brass, piano, keyboard, voice and drums. Students can take external music Grades, should they wish, and are encouraged to be part of our bands and choir. GCSE and A level students are given free lessons with these teachers to help them with the practical part of their examination.

Extra-Curricular

We run a wide range of clubs designed to give students group performance opportunities and to help them further their musical expertise:

Tuesday: 8.00am - 9.00am: Baddow Flutes Wednesday: 8.00am - 9.00am: Rock Choir 4.15pm - 5.15pm: Junior Music                        Thursday: 8.00am - 9.00am: Concert Band Friday: 8.00am - 9.00am: Baddow Reeds

 Performances

November: Talent Show December:  Carol Service at Chelmsford Cathedral April: Music Department Spring Showcase July: School Production/ Concert Tour (In 2010, we went to Paris and in 2011, Austria) 2013 will see the Concert Band on tour to Italy. This years Summer production is Oklahoma.

Courses

Here at Great Baddow High School we offer both GCSE and A Level music, both of which are examined by Edexcel

GCSE Music

This comprises of three sections; performance, composing and listening.

Performance: Students submit one solo and one ensemble (group) performance which is recorded and internally assessed (externally moderated). Students are given 15 minutes free tuition with an instrumental teacher to help them achieve a good mark.

Composing: Students submit two pieces of music written by them, which has benn completed throughout the course. Again this is internally assesed and externally moderated.

Listening: This is the final exam paper which last for 1 and half hours based on 12 set works ranging from classical to modern.

AS Music Unit 1: Performing Music Unit 2: Composing Unit 3: Developing Musical Understanding (Based on 10 set works and theoretical knowledge) A2 Music Unit 4: Extended Performance Unit 5: Composition and Technical Study Unit 6: Further Musical Understanding (based on 12 set works and theoretical knowledge)

Our 2010 tour to Paris