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Academics

Music

Why Music?

  • Enhanced Cognitive Abilities
  • Structural Brain Changes
  • Improved Academic Performance
  • Social and Emotional Development
  • Long Term Benefits

ASIS Approach Overview

  • Performing    —————>    Instrumental Skills

  • Listening  —————>  Aural Skills

  • Creating   —————>  Composing/Theory Skills
  • Collaborating   —————>  Band/Performance Skills

Development Overview

Stage 1 (1-2 Primary)

Goals :

  • Develop foundational listening, creating, and performing skills.
  • Encourage self-expression through music.
  • Introduce students to the role of music in their community.

Expected Outcomes:

  • Listening & Responding: Identify tempo, rhythm, and basic dynamics.
  • Creating Music: Experiment with sound and create simple rhythmic/melodic patterns.
  • Performing: Sing with accurate pitch and basic control; play simple percussion instruments.

 

Stage 2 (3-4 Primary)

Goals :

  • Expand on musical understanding and appreciation.
  • Introduce music notation and structured composition.
  • Develop ensemble performance skills.

Expected Outcomes:

  • Listening & Responding: Recognize different musical forms (AB, ABA), basic harmony, and melodic contour.
  • Creating Music: Compose short melodies using a given scale or rhythm.
  • Performing: Sing in unison and simple harmonies; play at least one melodic and one chordal instrument (e.g., recorder, ukulele)​.

 

Stage 3 (5-6 Primary)

Goals :

  • Deepen students’ ability to analyze, create, and perform music independently.
  • Explore more complex musical structures and compositions.
  • Encourage cultural appreciation through diverse music genres.

Expected Outcomes:

  • Listening & Responding: Analyze how music reflects culture and identity.
  • Creating Music: Compose short musical pieces integrating rhythm, melody, and dynamics.
  • Performing: Sing and play instruments in small ensembles with greater confidence and technique​.

 

Inspiring Activities and Approaches for ALL Grades and Levels

All students at ASIS will have access to bespoke and special activities that are only available at our school. Students will access to state-of-the-art teaching methodologies that focus on multi-sensory learning. Students will be immersed in musical activities, whether it’s playing instruments in the relaxing areas of the school or focused on stage working on a performance. From Preschool; developing the foundational elements of music; rhythm, counting, singing and clapping to Primary 6 focusing in on one or two instruments at a high level.  ASIS caters for all levels of talent and will nurture and instil a love and appreciation for music, across the board.  While not every student will want to develop high musical skills, they will ALL develop a love and appreciation for music and art more generally.    

School Choir

Composition using Garageband iPads and workstations

Listening Appreciation Sessions 

Small Group Bands (Multiple Genres)

Weekly Student Performances

Content creation in dedicated booths 

1-1 Instrumental Lessons 

ASIS Assessment

Music Assessment Design 

  • Music is non-examinable, but assessment is used to track progress and guide learning.
  • Teachers should ensure assessment is valid, reliable, and fair while considering student well-being.
  • A variety of assessment activities should be used, including:
     ✅ Conventional assessments (e.g., quizzes, music theory exercises).
     ✅ Authentic assessments (e.g., collaborative music-making, real-world tasks).

Communicating Learning Progress

  • Qualitative Descriptors (QDs) are used to assess learning outcomes (LOs) in Primary 1 and 2.
  • Schools determine which LOs to assess each semester to track student progress effectively.
  • At the lower secondary level, common assessment tasks help determine readiness for upper secondary Music courses.

This approach ensures holistic, developmentally appropriate assessment that enhances both student learning and well-being.

Dr. Wayne McConnell

  • Head of Music

Teacher Wayne from the UK is a highly qualified and experienced music educator and performer. He holds a PhD in Music from Khon Kaen University in Thailand, as well as a Master of Arts in Musicology and Piano Performance from ARU, Cambridge, and a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Music from ARU, Cambridge, where he graduated with Upper Second Class honors.

With 16 years of teaching experience at the university level, Wayne has taught music at Khon Kaen University, specialising in jazz and music psychology. Prior to that, he was a lecturer in music and jazz piano tutor at the University of Chichester for 12 years. He is also the founder, director, and teacher at Brighton Jazz School.

A professional jazz pianist since 1995, Wayne has extensive expertise in jazz improvisation, music theory, and performance studies. Additionally, he has experience in digital film production and freelance video editing, blending his musical talents with his skills in multimedia.