At Blackwood Comprehensive School, Music is taught to all pupils at Key Stage 3 and is available as an option at GCSE. During Music lessons we focus on the main skills of Performing, Composing and Appraising. Pupils are encouraged to develop their Key Skills and Literacy skills during lessons and we pride ourselves on producing independent learners. Performing Arts is available as an option at Key Stage 4, either as a BTEC or GCSE. The Staff
Mr N Hawkins - Head of Music & Performing Arts
Mrs H Brown (Music)
Mrs R Rawson (Performing Arts)
Peripatetic Staff
J Williams (Upper Strings)
C Liddington (Lower Strings)
S Benavente (Woodwind)
I Porter (Brass)
S Jackson (Percussion)
M Collins (Guitar)
A Mantle (Voice)
R Howard (Harp)
Key Stage 3
Pupils have the opportunity to perform, compose and listen to a variety of genres of music, including: Western Classical Music, Welsh music, Blues and Jazz, African music, Pop and Folk music (to list but a few). Pupils develop skills on a variety of instruments, including: tuned and untuned percussion, keyboards, tin whistles and ukuleles. Pupils are encouraged to sing confidently and with good vocal control throughout the Key Stage. Key Stage 4
At KS4 we follow the Edexcel specification for Music and BTEC Performing Arts. We follow the WJEC specification for GCSE Performing Arts
During the two years, pupils have access to the many resources within the department
Instrumental Lessons
At Blackwood Comprehensive School, pupils are able to receive a variety of instrumental lessons. 25 minute lessons are available on the following instruments:
Strings - Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass
Woodwind - Flute, Clarinet, oboe, bassoon and Saxophone
Brass - Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Cornet, Tenor Horn and Euphonium/Baritone
Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar and Bass Guitar
Drum Kit and Tuned Percussion (Xylophone and Glockenspiel)
Voice
Harp
Lessons cost £120 per year (cash or cheque, made payable to Blackwood Comprehensive School). Payment cards available to help spread the cost of the lessons. The cost of lessons includes: instrumental tuition, loan of an instrument (excluding drum kit, guitar, bass guitar and harp). Instrumental exams are not included in the cost. Extra Curricular Activities
The Music and Performing Arts Department prides itself on its busy atmosphere and extra curricular activities. Many of the activities are run during lunchtime and after school. Some pupils also make use of our practice room facilities to rehearse rock bands and other small ensembles. Extra-curricular
Orchestra Senior Strings
Handbells Vocal Ensemble
Swing Band Wind Band
Sax Quartet String Orchestra
Celtic Band Ukulele Band
Jnr Drama Group Senior Drama Group
As well as hosting two concerts a year (The Carol Service and Spring Concert), the department takes every opportunity to perform externally (at some very prestigious venues), including: The Wales Millennium Centre, St David’s Hall, Llandaff Cathedral, Blackwood Miners’ Institute and The Welsh Assembly Government Buildings (Old and New). Over the years, the department has also staged a variety of full scale musicals including 'Little Shop of Horrors', '13 The Musical' (a Welsh Premier), Our House and 'Sunshine On Leith' (another Welsh Premier). The school has also been host to many visiting ensembles, allowing pupils to participate in various workshops. As a department we are always keen to forge international links, therefore, we have run a number of musical tours. Over the years we have visited Ludwigsburg (Germany) ‘03, Pisek (Czech Republic) ‘04, Pisek ’07, Barcelona (Spain) ‘09, Venice (Italy) ‘11, New York ‘13 and most recently we visited Italy again in July 2015
