Music

Key Stage 3

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.

The curriculum at Key Stage 3 focuses on the main skills of performing, composing and listening and appraising, which are covered across a variety of topics from classical to popular and world music. There is a strong emphasis on practical work as well as a solid grounding in the theory of music and listening critically to music.

The School has a team of 20 visiting instrumental staff, enabling students to receive individual and group tuition in strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, guitar, piano, keyboard, theory and singing. Many students take examinations in these instruments and an extremely high pass rate has been maintained for many years. There are almost 400 students taking instrumental lessons on a weekly basis.

There is also an extensive programme of extra-curricular musical activities including Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, Chamber Orchestra, Vivaldi Players, Junior Band, Vocalis, School Choir, Jazz Band, Barbershop, 6th Form Choir, Youth Choir, Senior Brass Ensemble, Junior Brass Ensemble, String Ensemble, Senior Woodwind, Flute Choir, Steel Pans and a variety of chamber groups, including groups for Classical, Acoustic and Electric guitars.

In addition, there are numerous concert performances throughout the year and a major musical production at the end of the Spring Term. The Concert and Jazz Bands perform in concerts abroad on their annual European Music Tour. 2017 will see Vocalis and Chamber Orchestra embark on their second tour to Europe.

Key Stage 4

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.

At KS4, Music is optional and is taught to GCSE standard in which students develop performance and compositional skills, as well as cultivating their general musicianship. Following the Edexcel GCSE syllabus, the Key Stage 4 course builds on work from Key Stage 3, developing students’ understanding and appreciation of a range of different styles of music, as well as extending their own musical interests.

The School has a team of 20 visiting instrumental staff, enabling students to receive individual and group tuition in strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, guitar, piano, keyboard, theory and singing. Many students take examinations in these instruments and an extremely high pass rate has been maintained for many years. There are almost 400 students taking instrumental lessons on a weekly basis.

There is also an extensive programme of extra-curricular musical activities including Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, Chamber Orchestra, Vivaldi Players, Junior Band, Vocalis, School Choir, Jazz Band, Barbershop, 6th Form Choir, Youth Choir, Senior Brass Ensemble, Junior Brass Ensemble, String Ensemble, Senior Woodwind, Flute Choir, Steel Pans and a variety of chamber groups, including groups for Classical, Acoustic and Electric guitars. All GCSE and A Level Music students are members of the School Choir as well as contributing to many other extra musical activities which take place both at lunchtime and after school.

In addition, there are numerous concert performances throughout the year and a major musical production at the end of the Spring Term. The Concert and Jazz Bands perform in concerts abroad on their annual European Music Tour. 2017 will see Vocalis and Chamber Orchestra embark on their second tour to Europe.