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Music

Music

Curriculum Overview

Music has always been an important part of the culture at SJI International, and there is a wide range of opportunities to be involved in Music both inside (and outside) the classroom. Our curriculum offers students the chance to develop various skills through playing instruments, using music technology, and exploring musical knowledge and understanding. These opportunities help develop and foster our students' love of Music as they journey through school, encouraging and challenging students to refine their musical ability through interactive music-making in individual and cooperative activities.

Grade 7

Our programme is heavily performance-based. Students are introduced to various instruments and genres to generate awareness of music from familiar and unfamiliar contexts. While introducing a range of instruments, the curriculum regularly revisits material on the ukulele so that students can improve their note-reading and performance skills to a higher standard on this instrument. This takes them on the first step towards being prepared for IGCSE and opening the door to more meaningful music-making. All students in grade 7 are loaned a ukulele from the school for the year to help with this.

Grade 8

Our programme revolves around the elements of music, tasking students to explore textures, structure, timbre, harmony, rhythm and melody through regular composition and performance tasks. There is a focus on arranging and performing music in larger ensembles and composing using online subscription software (such as Soundtrap) through units that scaffold into the material required for IGCSE.

Grades 9 and 10 IGCSE Music

The IGCSE Music course enables students to acquire and consolidate musical skills, knowledge and understanding through listening, performing and composing. Lessons occur 2 - 3 times a week and are divided into listening and analysis lessons and composition workshops. Students learn to identify the musical elements of a piece through critical listening and score reading and how to compose pieces in various styles. The course listening content is divided into the below topics:

  • Baroque music
  • Classical music
  • Romantic music
  • Music and words
  • Music for dance
  • Music for small ensemble
  • Music for stage and screen

The course is also performance-based. Students are expected to have a tutor for their chosen instrument (either an instrumental teacher through the school’s instrument teaching program or a music teacher outside of school). They should practise their instrument/voice regularly outside of school.

Grade 10 Foundation Course

Our 10 Foundation Course is an experiential curriculum where students are exposed to various styles and instruments before being asked to complete mini-projects.

The basis of FC Music is formed by investigating foundation units which act as a springboard to expanding the student’s awareness of music in a global context. Students are encouraged to use this awareness as a starting point to investigate their interests in music further. The course enables students to acquire and consolidate a range of basic musical skills, knowledge and understanding through individual and collaborative work.

Grades 11 and 12 IBDP Music

In this course, students and teachers engage in a journey of imagination and discovery through partnership and collaboration. Students develop and affirm their unique musical identities while expanding and refining their musicianship. They are encouraged to explore music in varied and sometimes unfamiliar contexts. Additionally, students gain hands-on experience by experimenting with music while honing musical skills. Students also learn to communicate critical and artistic intentions and purpose through realising and presenting samples of their musical work with others. The course challenges them to engage practically with music as researchers, performers and creators and to be driven by their unique passions and interests while broadening their musical and artistic perspectives.

NOTE: All our grade 9 to 12 students use our professional recording equipment and software (Logic Pro X) and professional composition software (Sibelius), either via our in-school iMacs or through personal copies of Sibelius borrowed from the department.