Key Stage 3

Classes have a double lesson every week for music and learn basic skills of musical literacy, listening and appraising, composition and performance covering a variety of different musical idioms: the Year 7 curriculum for example includes studies of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons violin concertos, and African and Chinese music; Year 8 encompasses Stravinsky Firebird Ballet and Rock and Roll; Year 9 study the Blues at one end of the spectrum and Opera at the other. The emphasis is very much on enjoying the subject and much of the work in class is practical with written homework often involving research on the internet.

Each year group attends one annual outing relevant to the course each year:

• Year 7 attend a Gamelan (Indonesian music) workshop;
• Year 8 prepare a Samba drumming piece during a workshop and performed it in a school concert;
• Year 9 attend a performance at the Royal Opera House.

GCSE

A significant minority of girls take music to GCSE which follows on logically from the Key Stage 3 course. Pupils continue to concentrate on the three skills of performing, composing, and listening and appraising. Note-reading skills are certainly advantageous to all parts of the course and pupils nearly always have individual lessons on their instrument/singing. Performance and composition are undertaken during the two year course and a portfolio of the best work in both papers is sent for moderation to the Examination Board. There is one listening paper, based on familiar musical extracts, which is sat during the examination period.

The small classes make for a relaxed atmosphere whilst of course encouraging and expecting a serious and committed approach. GCSE students are expected to support the co-curricular life of the Department and all sing in the Senior Choir.

A Level

Music at A Level requires a considerable degree of technical knowledge and performing expertise. It is a particularly highly regarded qualification involving a wide range of skills. Pupils demonstrate their performing and presentation skills in coursework undertaken during the second year and submitted as a portfolio to the examination board. Composition techniques are studied culminating in a composition which is written under supervised study circumstances. The written paper involves a combination of short answer essays, some listening excerpts to respond to and some harmony exercises.

The Music Department is well-resourced with two class teaching rooms. In addition there are nine music practice rooms and a Studio Theatre (with a grand piano) which is used for small performances (shared with the Drama Department). There are upright pianos in each of the music rooms and a Bösendorfer Grand Piano in the School Hall which is used for assemblies, whole school performances, the annual Music Competition and termly evening concerts. Performances also regularly take place in local venues such as Cadogan Hall and St Paul’s Cathedral. The school has a harpsichord on permanent loan and access to the organ at St Mary’s Church, Bourne Street (over the road from the school) as well as some orchestral instruments, guitars and electric guitars. There is a full array of classroom percussion instruments including enough glockenspiels, xylophones and metallophones for each member of a Key Stage 3 class to have her own instrument.

The Department makes use of lots of specialist music software, including Logic, Focus On Sound, Soundtrap and Sibelius. There is a full time Events and Music Technician who undertakes the recording of events.

Individual music lessons are available in a wide variety of instruments, including Flute, Recorder, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Percussion, Harp, Violin, Viola, Cello and Music Theory. Girls in Year 5 upwards may also take Singing lessons. Many of the visiting music teachers perform professionally and appear with noted orchestras, ensembles and bands. Girls are prepared for ABRSM examinations and LCM examinations in Musical Theatre.