Music is an integral part of School life; thriving as an academic subject, a major co-curricular activity and a vital part of Chapel services.
The Music School facilities include two recital halls, a suite of teaching and practice rooms, a music library, a percussion room, and a well-equipped double recording studio. The School’s “All Steinway” status guarantees top quality pianos in every room. Larger scale events are held in the Chapel – with its internationally famous, four-manual Marcussen organ.
Academic teaching
Music is taught as a timetabled curriculum subject in the first term for the Novi year, with an option to continue beyond. Emphasis during this initial year is upon the presentation of a wide variety of musical subjects, as well as composition projects. This gives boys an insight into how music works, as well as the valuable opportunity to create music of their own.
After the first year, music becomes an IGCSE option choice, with generally 20-25 boys choosing the subject in two or three sets. The IGCSE course covers composition, performance and focused listening (including world music topics) based on various areas of study, such as ‘Music for Small Ensemble’ and ‘Music and Dance’.
In the Sixth Form, there are usually between four and eight boys in each year opting to take the music A Level course. Here, small set sizes and teaching by a range of staff means that boys are able particularly to develop and pursue their own individual musical enthusiasms, within the structured framework of a flexible course, especially in the performing and the composing components. The course covers a range of set works and styles, with a range of listening questions, essay topics and analysis.
Tonbridgians regularly continue their musical studies beyond School with a number of Oxbridge organ and choral awards in recent years, as well as scholarships and places at music colleges and conservatoires.
Head of Department
