Music

Students can learn a range of instruments piano, violin, viola, flute, clarinet, saxophone, acoustic guitar, electronic guitar and drum. Singing tuition is offered as well. A range of musical events are offered throughout the year and there are formal as well as informal opportunities for students to perform in the Choir, Chamber Orchestra or as individual and group performers.

Music lessons take place on a weekly basis during the school day and last for thirty minutes. Teachers try to “rotate” the time of lessons so that the same subject is not missed in consecutive weeks. The fees for instrumental lessons are detailed on the fees sheet (currently £165 per term).

There is one large music room equipped with keyboards and percussion instruments as well as a piano for accompaniment. The department has three teaching and practice rooms. Concerts take place regularly in the Main Hall which houses a vintage Bechstein Piano.

KS3

We cover the three main elements of the national curriculum: Listening, Composing and Performing. They learn about the orchestra and have practical lessons. Students also learn about musical language and terminology, whilst studying traditional classical music, jazz and world music. Students study pitch and rhythmic notation and experiment with various genres.  

KS4

The main three elements of the National Curriculum (Listening, Composing and Performing) are taken to a higher level. Aural tasks cover a wider range of music from the Baroque period to the present day and include regional music, “pop” music and jazz.

Students are required to perform for assessment on their instrument of study, to compose two pieces for coursework and to sit a listening test based on an anthology of set works. For the performance element students prepare two individual pieces and marks are awarded for standard of performance as well as the level of difficulty of the piece itself.

Sixth Form

Students develop a real love and understanding of music as they study the greater masters, write compositions, develop aural awareness and build upon their performing skills. A short recital is recorded both at AS and A2. Composition is done under controlled conditions. There are a number of listening tests and set works to study from an anthology. Essay writing is required at this level based on the anthology.

However, music cannot be studied in isolation and other subjects including philosophy, culture and religion are discussed. This is a good starting point for further studies at all universities and colleges and a good grounding for a career in performing.

Extra curricular activities

There are always opportunities for girls to perform their music at school events such as assemblies, masses and concerts and we like to encourage students to share their musical skills in this way. The benefits of learning a musical instrument and preparing pieces for performance have a positive impact on many related academic activities.

• Chamber Choir for Year 7 upwards takes place on Monday and Thursday during common lunch.
• Orchestra takes place on Tuesday common lunch for all players.