Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent  (Victor Hugo)

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aims of music teaching are to enable children to:

• know and understand how sounds are made and then organized into musical structures
• know how music is composed and written down
• know how  music is influenced by the purpose, time and place for which it was written
• develop the interrelated skills of performing, composing and appreciating music

TEACHING

Singing lies at the heart of good music teaching.  Our teaching focuses on developing the children’s ability to sing in tune and with other people.  Through singing songs, children learn about the structure and organization of music.  In Pre-prep. the pupils have weekly lessons in which they explore sound and practical music-making.  They are given opportunities to listen to many different types of music and singing is very much part of the school day.  Assemblies and plays have a strong musical component and the children frequently perform songs with percussion accompaniment. 

As they get older, we expect pupils to maintain their concentration for a longer period of time, listening to more extended pieces. We teach them to appreciate different musical styles and the works of famous composers.  We teach them disciplined skills of recognizing pulse, pitch and rhythm.  ICT aids the teaching of musical notation and composition – two vital musical skills.  Children improve the presentation of their work through ICT and are given opportunities for recording their work electronically.

We recognize that there are children of widely different musical abilities in all classes.  We provide suitable learning opportunities for all by matching the challenge of the task to the ability of the child.

 

INDIVIDUAL TUITION

Pupils are given the opportunity to study a musical instrument with peripatetic teachers.  These lessons are taught usually on an individual basis or, alternatively, to small groups of children.  This is in addition to class music teaching (with the exception of pupils in Pre-prep.) and usually takes place during normal lessons from which children are withdrawn (by rotation) for the duration of their instrumental tuition.

 

SCHOLARSHIPS

We are fortunate in teaching exceptionally able children.   A significant number of pupils gain awards to the public school of their choice.  In the past five years we have gained 6 scholarships and 2 exhibitions.

 

THE MUSICAL LIFE OF THE SCHOOL

 We believe that music enriches peoples’ lives and so we wish to involve as many pupils as possible in musical activities.  The Pre-Prep. has a policy to include all children in a number of events and religious festivals such as the Nativity Play.  We have a large school choir which we encourage all Middle and Upper School children to join.  The choir meets on a weekly basis and although its primary aim is to enable pupils to sing together, it also performs in public on a number of occasions, for example at the Christmas Carol Service, choral concerts and Open Day.

The school orchestra gives children a valuable opportunity to play together as an ensemble.  In addition a brass group, a guitar ensemble and a string trio enriches the musical development of our pupils.

Pupils who are sufficiently advanced attend music days organised by local public schools.

CONCERTS

Concerts feature strongly in the life of the school.  It is our belief that children derive enormous benefit from performing in public and there are numerous opportunities given to them to do so throughout their time at St Hugh’s.  Teamwork, stamina and co-ordination are all enhanced by regular music-making.

Informal Concerts

These concerts provide valuable performance opportunities, particularly for our less experienced musicians.

The Middle School Concert

All pupils in the Middle School participate in this concert held in the Spring Term. 

The Upper School Concert

This instrumental concert is directed towards musicians from the Third Year upwards.

 

Choral Workshops

All pupils in the 3rd, 4th and 5th Years are encouraged to perform in Choral Workshops. These annual events provide a platform for pupils at all levels of musical ability to learn from each other and perform an extended piece of choral music together.

Leavers’ Concert

We bid farewell to our musical leavers in what has come to be a relaxed yet stimulating evening. 

Staff

John Ridgway – Director of Music

Sue Lonsdale – Pre-Preparatory

Anne Smith – Pre-Preparatory

Sally Watts – Pre-Preparatory

Peripatetic Staff

Philip Dale – Brass

Gordon Dunn – Acoustic & Electric Guitar

Linden Eley – Piano

Sally Ewins – Flute & Recorder

Gill Haley – Piano

Anne Hart – Singing

Joanna Havelock – Piano, Theory, Viola & Violin

John Morgan – Clarinet & Saxophone

Elizabeth Parkin – Cello

Derek Smith – Percussion