So, the school term starts tomorrow and long-term planning is in place. Events have been added to the diary and the music department has a busy and exciting year to look forward to. iPads continue to play a fundamental role in the music progression of the students. During this term year 9 students will begin a topic on ‘Electronica’ and learn how to create music using high-end apps such as Korg Gadget, iKaoscillator, iElectribe, Glitchbreaks, Launchpad etc. Year 10 students will be learning Romeo and Juliet to perform for the Shakespeare Schools Festival at Winchester Theatre Royal. Last year one student performed live music and sound fx using an iPad at the theatre. The aim is now to have more iPads at the theatre and to have characters represented by Prokofiev themes.
A new project we are taking on at Great Oaks is the Friday Afternoons Project run by Aldeburgh Music. We are working with Aldeburgh Music to help prepare resources for people with SEND to widen the access of classical music. Students will learn to play some of the songs on iPads. There is the potential of having a residential at Snape Maltings next year and being able to perform on iPads at this prestigious music venue.
This year will be the first year of running the Silver Arts Award, after 30 students successfully completed the Bronze qualification in the summer. iPads will be used to record and evidence project work as students are familiar with apps such as book creator, Adobe voice and iMovie.
In the Spring, Great Oaks will host an SEND youth musical theatre group in conjunction with The Mayflower theatre with an aim to improving opportunities for young people with a passion or talent in the arts. The group will take on a 10 week project culminating in a final performance.
Great Oaks will be taking part in Rock Challenge again this year, as well as putting on a whole-school production of ‘Pirates of the Currybean’. Again another opportunity for students to work on producing music using iPads for a production.
The year will culminate in a Student Conference for young people with SEND. An ideal opportunity to offer iPad CPD to staff from schools around the country, and to give students from other schools an opportunity to develop music skills and perform using iPads.
Great Oaks is also planning to deliver iPad music training to adults as part of the newly formed Springwell Teaching Alliance.
So all in all, a busy year for students and staff, jam-packed with exciting opportunities and experiences in music education and with iPad music playing an important role in progression and skill development.
Miss K.Peters
GOPADMUSIC 