Welcome to the Music Department.
The aim of the department is to introduce and develop an understanding of a wide selection of musical experiences and to enable each individual to develop her own potential. The achievement of this aim is approached in various ways: individual and group practical work, composing and experimenting with sound, listening to and performing works of composers from a variety of eras and cultures including music from around the world. There is often a project theme to link activities while music literacy is developed through all the schemes of work, along with Information Technology. GCSE Music is a continuation of this type of work and provides a sound basis for specialism at AS and A2 level.
There are many extra-curricular activities to which all are welcome: a choir, two orchestras, string ensemble, woodwind groups including saxophone ensemble, recorders and early music groups. Students are encouraged to perform as regularly as possible, such as assemblies, concerts, workshops and recitals which take place throughout the year. We are also very keen to participate in festivals, competitions and engagements outside school, as it is excellent experience for the students to see and hear what is going on both locally and nationally. Peripatetic teachers visit each week to give lessons in strings, brass, woodwind, percussion, guitar, piano and steel pans, for which a charge is made.
Music lessons and activities take place in the Alexander Youngman Music Centre, which has a large recital/teaching room, five practice rooms with pianos, a recording studio and four computers with sophisticated sequencing and notating software and CD-ROM.
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