Curriculum
Children in Kindergarten, Reception and Years One and Two all enjoy a weekly half hour music lesson with Mrs Hutchinson. The emphasis is on fun, with lots of singing and the use of percussion instruments to perform and compose. A quality sound system and interactive white board ensure the children respond to a variety of different stimuli. Every child in Year Two learns to play the violin in small groups with Mrs Hutchinson and has the option at the end of the year to continue learning individually.
Mr Klemz leading Choir Practice at the Piano
Pupils in Years Three to Eight all have a music workbook which contains all the information they need to know about the department as well as providing them with the opportunity to self-assess, record rewards and achievements, as well as set targets for improvement.
Each workbook also contains a series of modules designed to span half a term. Some topics, such as rhythmic and stave notation, are visited in a spiral effect between Year groups, gradually building the knowledge and skill level of the pupils to match the complexity of the related work.
Topics covered will always have elements of composition, performance and listening. Often all three areas will be visited in a lesson. The scheme of work is designed to allow pupils to discover a variety of world music traditions, and styles of notation.
The scheme of work compliments the work of the instrumental team and vice versa. Differentiation is paramount, and modules are designed with every child in mind. All are able to achieve and progress, with those demonstrating real ability in the subject given extension work which can be continued at home or worked on jointly with peripatetic staff.
Concerts
Performance opportunities are varied in each term and in each academic year.
The Chapel Choir, who are auditioned at the start of the year and joined by ten members of staff, performs regularly in the Friday evening services throughout the year. Normally this will be an anthem in SATB. The Christmas Carol Service and Founders’ Day are two other highly important dates for this choir.
Junior Choir and our soloists have the opportunity to perform in Tuesday assemblies.
In both the autumn and spring terms, informal concerts are held and pupils perform to an audience of their peers and teachers. Often the repertoire features an examination piece which they have prepared for this purpose.
Children Participating in a Concert
The Junior Spring Concert is held in the spring term, featuring children from Reception to Year Five. This successful format allows the Pre-Prep children to see, hear and perform with older pupils. It also gives our musicians in Year Five the opportunity and responsibility of leading the concert. Pre-Prep Choir, Junior Choir and Junior Ensembles all perform, along with a variety of solo items. The Year Two violinists showcase their talents and the finale features all of the children singing together.
Shortly after the Easter break, the Senior Music Review features musicians from Years Six, Seven and Eight. This is an opportunity for the Jazz band, Stags and Does to showcase some of their work. Added to this are ensembles, such as the Brass Group, and soloists on a variety of instruments.
At Christmas, the Senior Chamber Group performs for local pensioners in the Front Hall, accompanying senior children singing carols, as well as accompanying the carols sung at the Christmas Dinner.
Scholarships
Scholarships are an important consideration for the department. The new Director of Music has already established professional relations with colleagues in schools to which we send our children in order to establish their requirements.
The department seeks to identify potential music scholars early and work with pupils, parents and staff to ensure they are well prepared for such a competitive undertaking. Clefs, a Saturday morning activity, is run with these children in mind. Here, pupils can concentrate on any aspect of their proposed scholarship examinations, from the theory of music to interview questions and performance rehearsal.
This year, the department has enjoyed scholarship success: one pupil being awarded a music scholarship and two using music within their all-rounder award.
Mr Klemz and Mrs Taylor leading Choir Practice
ABRSM Examinations
Pupils are entered for ABRSM examinations when they are ready. Children do not take examinations for the sake of it but as a natural part of their study of the instrument.
Mrs Woodgates, the Instrumental Team Leader, is a qualified ABRSM examiner and pupils entered for examinations spend time with her accompanying them, and practising sight reading and aural tests. As examination dates approach, Mrs Woodgates holds mock examinations that provide invaluable feedback for both pupils and staff.
Accommodation
The department, the academic teaching rooms and a rehearsal room are all situated either in or adjacent to the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) which is well used for rehearsals/concerts and competitions.
Music Room 1 has been resourced with Pre-Prep teaching in mind and also doubles as a percussion studio as required by more senior pupils.
Music Room 2 is also well resourced with 10 computer / keyboard workstations and Y3-8 have academic music lessons in this room.
Music Room 3 is known as the Rehearsal Room and is used by a variety of ensembles for their weekly rehearsals. It is also a peripatetic teaching room and a place where pupils can store their instruments during the day.
The instrumental teaching team also deliver lessons in the five practice rooms the department enjoys as well as in the Music Office. Each teaching room contains at least one piano.
Finally, in the interests of noise pollution, there is a well appointed Percussion Shed where drum kit is taught and rock bands rehearse weekly.
Music Staff
Director of Music: Mr JH Klemz
| Name | Classes Taught |
| Mr J H Klemz | Y3-Y8 (1hour lessons) |
| Mrs A Hutchinson | Kindergarten – Y2 |
Instrumental Teachers
| Ms C Ashman | Clarinet/saxophone |
| Mr P Clayton | Drum kit |
| Mrs K Cousins | Piano |
| Mrs J Handy | Cello |
| Mrs M Jarvis | Flute |
| Mrs H Tate | Piano/recorder/oboe/bassoon |
| Mrs A Taylor | Brass |
| Mrs R Taylor | Brass |
| Mr C Watkiss | Singing |
| Mr T West | Guitars |
| Mrs H Woodgates* | Piano |
Presently, 130 pupils receive one half-hour instrumental lesson each week. In order to limit disruption to the academic timetable, pupils lessons are put on to a rota and a weekly timetable is published.
Extra-Curricular Music
Pre-Prep Choir (Tuesday am ) – Mrs Hutchinson
Chapel Choir (Tuesday, Friday 1.30pm Chapel) – Mr Klemz/Mr Taylor
Junior Choir (Monday 1.30pm Conference Room) – Mr Klemz/Mrs R Taylor
Junior Ensemble (Monday 11am Rehearsal Room) - Mr Klemz
Chamber Ensemble (Thursday 11am Rehearsal Room) - Mr Klemz
String Quartet (Wednesday 11am Practice Rooms) – Mrs Handy
Jazz Band (Wednesday 8.30am Rehearsal Room) - Mrs R Taylor
Stags (Monday 11am Percussion Shed) – Mr West
Does (Tuesday 11am Percussion Shed) - Mr West
Brass Group (Monday 8.30am Rehearsal Room) - Mrs A Taylor*Instrumental team leader.