Music

Foundation Statement

1, How does the school’s ethos underpin this subject, and what virtues have potential to be developed in our students through its study?

Music is a creative gift to people and has aesthetic elements that are integral to life and that can transcend cultures and generations. Music and Music Technology enable expressions of joy, of thankfulness, love and hope and also of sadness, cruelty and despair on behalf of others and self. Music equips us for action, and influences us in our daily lives.

Through artistic creation, display, performance, technology and appreciation of Music we can enrich others’ and our own lives, and convey the musician’s understandings symbolically in aesthetically beautiful ways. Musical creations can bring us a distinct kind of knowledge and insight, as in other fields of study. In so doing, Music and Music Technology can serve God and our neighbours as well as our own needs. We also need to discern and critique its intent and provenance. Music can profoundly represent real life, and wise musicians can be agents of reconciliation.

Virtues to be developed include: respect for truth, compassion for poor/disadvantaged, respect for others, cooperation, validity, authenticity, meaningfulness, discernment, expressiveness, beauty, sensitivity to others, perseverance, coordination, precision in observation and action, good judgement and interpretation, accuracy.

2, What goals do we desire for our students in their study of this subject?

a. Enjoy and appreciate Music and Music technology through experience, creation and display; and by developing perceptual skills and understanding of the language of aesthetics.

b. Have a wide range of artistic and musical experiences.

c. Unfold our aesthetic and skilful potential through creating, displaying, performing and appreciating Music in service.

d. Become critically aware of the roles (positive and negative) of Music and musicians in society and use this awareness in creation, performance and display.

e. Link Music and Music technology with other curriculum subjects in order to develop students’ appreciation of how they are inter-connected and the part they have to play in our understanding of reality, whilst also enriching students’ deeper understanding of these and other subjects.