Music
Introduction
The Department of Music in the Senior School is involved in the daily life of the pupils from Years 7 -13. Years 7 – 9 have weekly class lessons that concentrate on music in context, listening and appraising and performance. By the time pupils complete their Key Stage 3 Music studies in Year 9 they are in a very comfortable position to continue to GCSE level as they will have completed 2/3 of the GCSE Music syllabus.
Music is also offered at GCSE and A Level where the uptake is very good. All our musicians at this level begin to really achieve a very high standard of musical performance and ability. Performing is very much encouraged at all levels and year groups and performance opportunities not only include concerts but assembly, class performances and special occasions to name but a few.
The Music Department endeavours to find performance opportunities outside the School for individuals and ensembles. It is also very pleasing that we are invited to many prestigious venues to perform. This year we are very much looking forward to our performance at Chatsworth House during the holiday season.
Derby Arts 2008
Many of our young musicians entered the Derby Arts Festival last School year and attained very pleasing results. Laura Chapman and Charlotte While gained 1st Place with a mark of DISTINCTION in the Vocal Duet class and were complimented on their overall performance of a very difficult piece.
The Senior Choir won 1st Place with a mark of DISTINCTION in the Hymn Singing class and 1st place in the Gospel Singing class. A real testament to all the hard work and effort the 62 piece choir put forth each and every week.
The Chamber Choir won 3rd Place in the Senior Schools Choir Recital class out of a field of six choirs. The Chamber Choir scores a mark of DISTINCTION and was only 2 marks off 1st place.
Performance / Concerts
The Department of Music maintains a very active performance calendar each School year. The 2008-09 School year is no different either. Below are our performance dates for Autumn term.
Autumn Term Performance Dates
SATURDAY 20th SEPTEMBER Derby Cathedral
Chamber Choir Evensong Service
FRIDAY 17th OCTOBER Ockbrook School
Chamber Choir Speech Day
SATURDY 8th NOVEMBER Kilburn Hall
Soloists and Small Ensemble Concert
THURSDAY 27th NOVEMBER Ockbrook Moravian Church
Senior Choir, Chamber Choir
Senior Orchestra Advent Concert
THURSDAY 4th DECEMBER Chatsworth House
Chamber Choir Carol Concert
SATURDAY 6th DECEMBER Westfield’s, Derby
Senior Choir, Chamber Choir
Senior Orchestra Christmas Concert
Spring Term Performance Dates
SATURDAY 10th JANUARY Southwell Minster
Chamber Choir
THURSDAY 29th JANUARY St John’s Church, Ilkeston
Senior Orchestra
THURSDAY 5th MARCH Birtill Hall, Ockbrook School
Senior Choir, Chamber Choir & Senior Orchestra
ABRSM Examinations
The Department of Music enters on average 100 pupils a year in the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music practical and theory examinations. Our pupils also enjoy great success in the ABRSM Jazz exams where they regularly attain marks of Distinction. We have two examination periods each year; Feb/March and July. Music Theory exams take place three times a year; November, March and June.
Our pupils regularly attain higher grades (6-8) not only in practical exams but theory as well. It is very pleasing to see so many pupils extend their music making to very high levels and this only helps them in their GCSE and A Level studies, although we do have some pupils taking the upper grades in Years 7-9.
Instrumental / Vocal Music Lessons
The Department has a dedicated building (Swallows Rest) for teaching individual music lessons and a very dedicated and talented peripatetic staff to teach them. Many of our peripatetic staff performs regularly around the local area and nationally.
Individual music lessons can be arranged on any instrument or voice.