Music
Music is a unique form of communication and universal language that can change the way students feel, think and act. Music forms part of our identity so a good experience of it will raise young peoples’ self-esteem and develop their social confidence. These values are at the heart of the curriculum and everything we do beyond it. At Richard Lander School we strive to deliver a high quality music education that engages and inspires students to develop a love of music. As students progress, we nurture the development of critical engagement with music, allowing students to confidently compose and perform musically.
All students study Music as part of their Key Stage 3 curriculum and are then able to continue through Key Stage 4 to either GCSE or BTEC Music where they can choose a performance or technology pathway.
Additionally, students have a breadth of opportunities beyond the curriculum which include: individual and small group instrumental lessons, school orchestra, jazz band, samba band, various rock bands, plus a range of choirs which they can join. Our choirs and bands have performed in a range of outside festivals with very successful results.
Our main aim at Richard Lander is to get students involved; to raise their confidence in singing and in instrumental playing. We want students to enjoy the academic learning of music, both individually and in small groups, as they devise, create and perform their own music. We encourage all students to join one of our many music extra-curricular activities and attend on a weekly basis to help them build on their performance confidence outside of the classroom.
At Key Stage 3 pupils build on their previous knowledge and skills through performing, composing and listening. Students develop their vocal and instrumental fluency, accuracy and expressiveness. They further learn to understand musical structures, styles, genres and traditions. Students learn to listen with increasing discrimination and awareness to inform their practice
In Year 7, students will learn basic keyboard, guitar and percussion skills (through learning to play the beautiful music from the Indonesian Gamelan) and begin to devise and perform short pieces. All Year 7 students learn how to sing unison and part songs, which they perform at Truro Cathedral at the Christmas Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. Students explore folk music, European medieval music and learn about the roots of modern day music. Students take part in the First Access music programme in term 3 where they practice an orchestral instrument. In previous years students have tried brass, string and woodwind instruments.
In Year 8, students continue to develop their practical keyboard skills, extend their composition work and participate in more involved ensembles. Students are introduced to the African Djembe drums and learn how to write their own popular music. Students also learn to play Baroque orchestral pieces in a classroom setting
In Year 9, all pupils further develop their performance skills by playing in ensembles. They are able to specialise on their preferred instrument when participating in the band project. Students also learn to manage their product in this project through completing tasks in job roles similar to those in the music industry. Students learn how to perform in a whole group samba band and further develop their music technology skills, utilising computers and targeted music software. Students are encouraged to compose and arrange music in a variety of styles and genres and explore music for stage and screen. Year 9 students complete the year studying world music, including reggae and Indian music.
Curriculum Overview – Music 2627 KS3
If you have any further questions please email
Richard Lander School offers two pathways for students opting to take music at Key Stage 4.
GCSE Music aims to:
• Encourage students to be inspired, moved and changed through appreciating music from a wide range of contexts
• Develop critical and evaluative skills, creative and aesthetic skills as well as sensitivity, emotional awareness, cultural understanding, self-discipline and self-confidence
• Enable students to engage directly with music, to develop their own instrumental skills and to compose and perform confidently in individual and group contexts
The compositional and performance elements of the course are assessed internally whilst the listening and appraising elements are studied through formal external examination.
Students opting for the BTEC Technical Award in Music develop a range of skills through utilising music performance, composition, appraisal and music technology. All BTEC students explore different music products and styles. This allows students to practically explore a wide range of 20th Century genres and present their explorations through performance, composition and music technology. Students develop musical skills whilst developing self discipline and maturity within their own practice. At the end of Year 11 students respond to a commercial music brief. This component allows students to present their music in their own style as a portfolio at the end of Year 11.
Curriculum Overview – Music 2627 KS4
If you have any further questions please email
Great news! Your child has taken an interesting in learning a new musical instrument! At Richard Lander School music tuition is timetabled on a weekly rotation, so students don’t miss the same school lessons two weeks running.
Music Lessons
We provide solo and group lessons via the Cornwall Music Service Trust (CMST):
For pricing and sign up please go to: https://cmst.co.uk/signup
| Day teacher visits | Instrument | Teacher | Room Number |
| Monday | Voice | Ms. Jessica Norgard | 1 |
| Monday | Drumkit / Percussion | Mr. Ross Hamilton | 5 |
| Monday | Woodwind | Ms. Rebecca Bingham | 3 |
| Tuesday | Voice | Ms. Cheryl Brendish | 2 |
| Wednesday | Piano | Ms. Jill Bolt | 2 |
| Thursday | Piano | Ms. Jill Bolt | 2 |
| Thursday | Brass | Mr Joe Hamlen | 1 |
| Thursday | Electric and Accoustic
Guitar / Bass / Ukulele |
Mr. Mark Johns | 3 |
| Friday | Strings / Violin | Mr. Neil MacMahon | 6 |
Subsidies
If your child receives Free School Meals, is a Child in Care, is in receipt of Disability allowance, has an EHCP or has a parent in the armed services you are entitled to subsidies for instrumental lessons. More information here: https://cmst.co.uk/subsidies-20252026
If you would like to hire an instrument for the year, please get in touch. The company that organises this is in a period of transition, and so as a school we will try and accommodate any instrumental hire needed. There are often subsidies for endangered instruments such as bassoon or double bass – do get in touch for more information.
Storing your instrument at Richard Lander School
We have a large instrument storeroom within the Music Department where students can safely store their instruments on the day of their instrumental or music curriculum lesson. Instruments should be taken home at all other times and should not be left at school overnight. Please ensure that your child’s instrument case is clearly labelled with their full name. Where possible, we also recommend labelling the instrument itself. Please remind your child to store their instrument at the back of the storeroom, where personal belongings are covered by 24/7 CCTV. Thank you for helping us to ensure that all instruments are stored safely and securely.
Richard Lander School offers a wealth of extra curricular opportunities in Music. We are particularly proud of our choirs, school rock bands and accomplished orchestra.
Practise rooms are available for individuals and bands and every year students have opportunities to showcase their talents through public performances inside and outside of school.
Individual and group music lessons are provided by the Cornwall Music Service Trust in almost every instrument.
Please see this term’s music club and lesson schedule here:
