Staff: Miss McArdle – Teacher of Music

Aims of the Department

The Music Department at St. Joseph’s College provides a vibrant and supportive environment where students can develop their skills and express creativity. We aim to:

· Inspire a lifelong passion for music while nurturing each student’s potential.

· Provide diverse extracurricular opportunities including choir, guitar club, rock club, and traditional music group.

· Equip pupils with transferable skills such as confidence, teamwork, creativity, and communication, valuable for both academic development and future personal and professional lives.

· Offer personalised instrumental lessons with specialists provided by the Music Service, enabling pupils to progress at their own pace and pursue their musical interests.

Curriculum Overview

Key Stage 3

Pupils explore a broad and engaging curriculum, developing listening, performing, and composing skills through a wide variety of genres, from classical and popular music to blues and film music. They also use music technology, including GarageBand, to compose and perform, enhancing their creativity and understanding of contemporary music-making.

Key Stage 4

At KS4, pupils follow the CCEA GCSE Music course, focusing on:

· Performing (solo and ensemble)

· Composing (original works, supported by technology)

· Listening & Appraising (studying set works and diverse genres)

This provides a strong foundation for further study while building confidence and a lifelong enjoyment of music.