Music

The aim within the Music Department is to create and maintain a vibrant presence within the school. We have some 150 extra-curricular lessons taking place weekly on a host of orchestral instruments as well as electric guitar, singing, piano, and more.

Everyone learning an instrument is encouraged to take part in an extra-curricular musical activity: there are choirs including the Disney Choir, the Gospel Choir and Beechwood Singers, a chamber orchestra, chamber groups, and a rock group. Various other ensembles meet according to availability of students.

Formal and informal concerts are given each term, and in alternate years the school performs a major musical. There is also an annual gala concert for the best musicians in the Spring Term.

In Years 7 - 9 we cover all aspects of musical genres, styles and cultures, through listening and appraising, performance and composition. Topics include Theory, Analysis, Keyboard Skills, World Music, Music in the Media, Structures in Music, 21st Century Music, Historical Music and Blues/Jazz.

GCSE and A-level Music courses are available and our small classes allow for a personalised teaching method according to students' needs. 

Instrumental examinations of ABRSM and LCM take place termly, with a high success rate in all grades 1 to 8.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Music Successes

Katie in Year 13 gave an impromptu performance in the Chapel of the pieces she was rehearsing for her recital Diploma examination on guitar. 

Katie successfully passed the Performance Diploma with distinction scoring an impressive 90% and is now proud to be called an Associate of Trinity College, London.

 

 

 

 

Selina, one of our Year 7 music students, has been successful in achieving a Leverhulme Scholarship for the under 12 National Children's Orchestra as a result of her outstanding audition on the 'cello.

Selina also won the award for the most promising string player at the Cranbrook festival.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outing to the Barbican

The whole of the Junior Division were treated to a concert given by the world-class London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican on Monday.  The action packed programme was on the theme of "America" and in addition to the audience participation piece specially commissioned for the event, they heard music by Copeland and Gershwin.  Here we all are just before entering the concert hall!