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.
Year 8;
Year 9;
Year 10;
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%)
Component 2: Composing (30%)
Component 3: Listening and Appraising (35%)
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)
AS Unit 2 : Composing (32.5% of AS, 13% of A level)
AS Unit 3 : Responding to Music (35% of AS, 14% of A level)
A2 Unit 1 : Performing (19.5% of A level)
A2 Unit 2 : Composing (19.5% of A level)
A2 Unit 3 : Responding to Music (21% of A level)
2024
2023
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.