Music | The Royal Belfast Academical Institution

Department

Music

Level

KS3, KS4, KS5

Head of Department

Mrs. D. Harshaw

Members of Dept

Mr. D. Saadat, Mr. P. M. Bolton MBE (Director of Choir & Orchestra)

Instrumental Tutors

Dr. G. MacAtasney (Woodwind), Miss. E. Richards (Lower Strings), Mr. A. Sykes (Drums/Percussion), Mr. C. Irvine (Flute), Mr. J. Blakeman & Mr. J. Stewart (Brass), Mr. J. McGeown (Upper Strings), Mr. M. Newman (Guitar), Mrs. J. Bourke (Voice), Mrs. R. McDonald (Piano Theory)

Gallery

Why study Music?

The Music Department at RBAI aims for pupils to enjoy making music and provides many opportunities for pupils to participate in performances of a high standard. The curriculum allows pupils to have the experience of playing different instruments whilst exploring musical compositions from all periods of music.

RBAI is rich in extra-curricular opportunities for young musicians. Whether they are singers, players, composers, or simply lovers of music, the Music Department at RBAI can offer them a wonderfully diverse and colourful experience. The Choir, Orchestra, Jazz Band, Show Band and String Ensemble allow pupils to collaborate with the many different year groups and extend their peer relationships, as well as teaching them the value of team-work and critical listening.

What Music offers?

Key Stage 3

Year 8;

Elements of Music
Instruments of the Orchestra Theory
Practical Music Making – The Guitar
Set Works: The River Vltava, Carnival of the Animals, Danse Macabre & The Peer Gynt Suite

Year 9;

Film Music
Theory
Practical Music Making – The Keyboard
Set Works: Pomp and Circumstance, The Planet Suite & William Tell Overture

Year 10;

Periods of Music
The Beatles
Mozart
Film Music
Ensemble music performances
Composition
Theory

Key Stage 4

Pupils work towards a GCSE qualification in Music (CCEA). A detailed syllabus may be viewed on CCEA’s own website: https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-music-2017

Component 1: Performing and Appraising (35%)

Candidates must present one solo and one ensemble performance

Component 2: Composing (30%)

Candidates must create two contrasting compositions

Component 3: Listening and Appraising (35%)

Candidates take an examination of aural perception based on familiar and unfamiliar music relating to four Areas of Study- Western Classical Music, Musical Traditions of Ireland, Pop Music and Film Music.

Key Stage 5

Pupils work towards AS and A-level qualifications in Music (CCEA). A detailed syllabus may be viewed on CCEA’s own website: https://ccea.org.uk/post-16/gce/subjects/gce-music-2016

AS Unit 1: Performing (32.5% of AS, 13% of A level)

Solo Performance
Viva Voce

AS Unit 2 : Composing (32.5% of AS, 13% of A level)

A: Composition Task or B: Composition with Technology Task
Written commentary

AS Unit 3 : Responding to Music (35% of AS, 14% of A level)

Test of Aural Perception (1 hour)
Written Examination (2 hours)

A2 Unit 1 : Performing (19.5% of A level)

Solo Performance
Viva Voce

A2 Unit 2 : Composing (19.5% of A level)

A: Composition Task or B: Composition with Technology Task
Written commentary

A2 Unit 3 : Responding to Music (21% of A level)

Test of Aural Perception (1 hour)
Written Examination (2 hours)

Exam Success

2024

A2: 100% pass
AS: 100%, A-B grades
GCSE: 100% A*-C* grades

2023

A2: 100% pass
AS: 100%, A-C grades
GCSE: 100% A*-C* grades

Beyond the Classroom

Music in RBAI extends far beyond the classroom. Throughout the year pupils have opportunities to participate in one or more of the many extra-curricular ensembles on offer. Through these ensembles there are opportunities to perform at the Christmas Carol Service, Open Day and at the Spring Concert. We are delighted to announce this year that the Spring Concert will take place at the Waterfront Hall.

Pupils can also take part in the show band used for the Senior and Junior Musicals. As part of the instrumental music tuition offered at RBAI over 100 entries are made annually for exams either affiliated with ABRSM, LCM, Trinity, or Rock School.

The Year 8 Celebration Concert takes place in October and features the whole of Year 8 performing three songs from memory as well as numbers from the Jazz Band, the Inchmarlo Choir and solos from senior and junior students.

Various trips and workshops are organised throughout the year for students. In June, the GCSE Year 11 music class attended a two day event organised by NI Opera at the Grand Opera House in Belfast. The boys sang various operatic chorus numbers, had masterclasses on vocal health as well as attending workshops on linguistics and performance skills – a most enjoyable and informative experience.