Music

The main aims of the Department are to foster an appreciation of good music of all types and to encourage the participation of all students in musical activities and performances.

During the first three years, the curriculum covers theory, composing, listening and performing, history and appreciation of music, based on aural and practical experience.

Beyond this stage, the subject becomes optional and is taught to GCSE standard in Years 10 and 11, for which students require practical skills and general musicianship. The School also offers Music AS/A2 Level, following the new Edexcel syllabus.

The School has visiting instrumental staff, enabling students to receive individual and group tuition in the strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, guitar, piano, keyboard and theory and singing. Many students take examinations in these instruments, and an extremely high pass rate has been maintained for many years. There are nearly 400 students taking instrumental lessons on a weekly basis.

There is also an extensive programme of extra curricular musical activities with concert performances every half term and a major musical production annually.