Using Music In Secondary RE
Music is a key part of all religious traditions from the Psalms of the Jewish tradition to the Ragas of the Hindu tradition. For most children there will be songs in their traditions which are of importance in their lives and so the use of both listening and composing songs can be a very powerful ways of working.
Music is an important part of working with and understanding all the key concepts of the RE curriculum. The words of religious music form part of the beliefs, teaching and sources of the religions and beliefs being studied, as well as being relevant to the practice and way of life, and a key form of expressing meaning. Within many communities music is an important expression of the identity of the group and the individual, and an important measure of the belonging. Music is often used as an expression of meaning, purpose and truth and a way of exploring the values and commitments of the believer.
Music in Key Stage 3
Students should investigate and explain the impact of music on religious beliefs and teachings on individuals, communities and societies and analyse in detail how the lyrics and music are transmitting religious beliefs and ideas (from both liturgical, worship and non-worship music and music that is both within the tradition and within the culture). They should explore how music is used to transmit ideas of truth and value in moral and ethical situations and how the ways in which religious texts are used in music.
They should look at how music is used to challenge ideas within and outside the traditions and how music is used as a form of personal expression. They should look at the ways in which music is used to express the value of religion in the local, national and global communities and how music is used to express ideas of universal belief such as peace and conflict, wealth and poverty and the importance of the environment. They should use music as a way of expressing their own ideas, questions and beliefs by composing music and performing this to their peers.
They should explore the use of music in Christianity and at least two other principal religions.
Music in Key Stage 4
Students should explore how music is used to express religious and spiritual experience and explore in more details how the lyrics of music express core beliefs and ideals. They should be critically examining the lyrics of music and the specific religious language that is used in both liturgical and non-liturgical music. They should explore music from a variety of traditions and from a variety of groups within a tradition.
They should have the opportunity to reflect on, express and justify their own opinions via music and use music to justify their own values and attributes.