Music Department
Aims and Ethos
As a department, we support and fully subscribe to the aims and objectives of the College and have identified the following specific aims:
• To make the academic and practical aspects of music engaging, relevant and attractive to a broad spectrum of students by providing an imaginative and stimulating music curriculum as well as a varied and inclusive extra-curricular programme
• To equip our students with lifelong skills that will enable them to enjoy their studies throughout and beyond their time at school
• To provide high quality individual instrumental lessons delivered by specialist teachers and to complement this with activities and trips, and workshops for Senior School students
• To provide a variety of formal and informal performing opportunities
• To reflect, assess and evaluate regularly the effectiveness of the department, its aims and policies
In addition, we foster:
• A passion for music and education
• A focused, professional atmosphere
• Supportive, encouraging and caring staff
• Mature and courteous behaviour from students in our care
Curricular Music
It is the aim of the department to equip our students with skills for the lifelong enjoyment and appreciation of music. Our primary means of achieving this is through performing, composing, improvising, listening and appraising, starting in the Junior School. The skills gained through the Junior School music curriculum form a strong foundation for further development in the Senior School.
In line with College policy, and for the enrichment of the creative arts at Rendcomb, one of the Music Department’s main objectives for 2008 is to strengthen links between the Senior and Junior Schools. Weekly instrumental lessons and ensembles for all Rendcomb pupils, Junior and Senior, are organized by the department. Some visiting music teachers teach both Senior and Junior students, which helps to foster a sense of continuity and progression. From time to time, trips are organized to reinforce the music curriculum and support the teaching by academic and visiting music staff.
Key Stages 1 and 2
All students take part in productions, often with a significant musical component: therefore as part of this provision, emphasis is put on developing practical music skills in the preparation of music for performance. At Key Stages 1 and 2 students will:
Performing
• sing songs, with clear diction, control of pitch, and a sense of phrase and musical expression
• play tuned and untuned percussion instruments with rhythmic control and understanding
• practise, rehearse and present performances
• develop and enhance team-building and social skills
• build memory skills
Composing and Improvising
• enjoy, value and understand creative processes
• improvise in a given style
• organise sounds to create a structured composition (J6)
• develop notation skills (J6), and value the oral tradition (all years)
Listening and Appraising
• analyze and compare sounds
• develop and maintain a musical vocabulary
• evaluate and refine work
• articulate their ideas and feelings about the music
• listen with attention to detail and to develop aural memory
Opportunities for performing in the Junior School
Performances in weekly Distinction Assembly
Termly Teatime Concerts
Termly Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music practical and theory examinations
Annual Musical Productions, which in recent years have included Honk, Alice in Wonderland and Fleeced.
Joint Senior and Junior Lunchtime Concerts
J6, Forms 1 and 2 Joint Music Evening
Carol Service
Various performing groups, as detailed below:
Junior School Choir
Membership is open to all students in J3 – J6, and is led by the Junior School Music Teacher.
Junior School Orchestra
Membership is open to all years, and parts are adapted to suit all abilities of performers. It is led by a VMT.
Guitar Ensemble
Led by a specialist guitar teacher, this group is open to all guitarists in the Junior School.
Junior School Composition Club and Junior School Theory Club
These groups are provided to enhance the curriculum, and to aid progression to the Senior School. Membership is open to students in J5-6.
The following groups draw their membership jointly from the Junior and Senior Schools:
String Ensemble
This thriving ensemble works under the direction of the Assistant Director of Music. Parts are adapted to suit.
Recorder Ensemble
Following the appointment of a specialist teacher, this group is attracting new members on a regular basis.
Brass Ensemble
This ensemble has been created to give the increasing numbers studying brass instruments the opportunity to perform together, and is led by a specialist brass teacher.