Music
Academic > Departments > Music
The six resident members of staff each have their own ‘homebase’ room in which to teach, there is also a new classroom, library and small concert hall in addition to a Recital Hall, suite of teaching studios and practice rooms. In the basement of the new building are state-of-the-art recording facilities, attached to a recording studio, also a large purpose-built and fully equipped percussion studio.
Music is taught as a curricular subject to all boys in the first year, with particular emphasis upon creativity and experience of practical music-making in the classroom. After the initial year, Music becomes an optional subject for GCSE and A level. The choice of the M.E.G syllabus at GCSE reflects a desire to encourage creative music-making, and it enables all boys both to offer performing and composing as major components in their assessment. Sibelius 7 music processing software is available on the School computer network, and within the Music Department are a growing number (currently 6) of stations at which Risc PCs, attached via MIDI to keyboards, can be used to compose directly into notation or to play back compositions instantly.
A growing number of boys (nine in the present Lower VI) opt to take Music on to A level. Either Edexcel or Oxford & Cambridge examinations can be taken, reflecting the varying needs and timetabling of lessons for particular students. At both GCSE and A level boys benefit from a team of teachers, with at least four of the departmental staff involved in delivering each of these courses, together with the extra assistance of the organist in Residence.