Music

The Music Department is a vibrant and thriving place! We aim to make the academic and practical aspects of music enjoyable and engaging, relevant and attractive for all students by providing an imaginative and stimulating music curriculum and an inclusive extra-curricular programme.

There are opportunities for students of all abilities to learn an instrument and participate in a diverse range of activities and concerts that run throughout the year. Music scholarships and bursaries are available at all points of entry, to help nurture young talent, reward excellence and recognise musical potential. The College is a centre for ABRSM examinations, which are held termly, and in other examination boards.

The Music Department enjoys excellent relations with the Drama Department, and in recent years productions have included Back to the 80’s, We Will Rock You, Mulan and Guys and Dolls. We are looking forward to performing Hairspray in 2011.

Curricular Music

Our students come from diverse backgrounds and cultures and have vastly different previous musical experiences and abilities. The Scheme of Work is designed to allow all students the opportunity to flourish irrespective of their musical starting point. Kindling latent talent and ensuring that everyone is given the opportunity to develop the skills necessary for the appreciation and enjoyment of music are, we believe, the fundamental obligations of the department.

All students study Music at Key Stage (Forms 1 – 3). The AQA specification is followed at GCSE level, and Edexcel at AS and A2 levels. It is a requirement that all students studying Music at Key Stage 4 and above take individual instrumental lessons, and it is expected that they participate in extra-curricular ensembles at the College.

The department can offer individual instrumental lessons for all orchestral instruments, drum kit, guitar (acoustic and electric), piano, organ and the voice. An Instrumental Tuition Request should be completed and returned to the Director of Music before lessons can be arranged. 

Guidelines for Practice 

Studying a musical instrument presents a wonderful opportunity to develop skills that can be enjoyed throughout the rest of a person’s life. The article Guidelines for Practice gives parents, and students, advice about a structured approach to practice.