Music

The Music Department offers a number of after-school and lunchtime activities during the school week.

Concerts are given twice a year and the choir, windband and senior orchestra make major contributions to the school’s annual Carol Service in Winchester Cathedral.

• The Training Orchestra is for pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9. The music played is accessible to junior instrumentalists and often includes parts for chord guitar.
• The Senior Orchestra is intended for older pupils, although advanced younger pupils may join.
• The Windband includes flutes, clarinets and saxophones, brass and percussion.
• The choir is open to any pupil who enjoys singing. The main choir is open to all year groups and performs a major function at the annual Carol Service in Winchester Cathedral. The Senior Choir is formed from Year 10 and 11 pupils.
• The Recorder Ensemble is a full consort of descant, treble, tenor and bass recorders. Players need to be able to read music and play competently. It is not an ensemble for beginners!
• Other smaller groups and ensembles are formed as and when they are required and they rehearse on a more ad hoc basis.

Instrumental tuition

The school offers instrumental tuition using specialist teachers from the Hampshire Music Service or directly employed by the school. About 100 pupils each year benefit from instumental tuition, delivered in small groups or individually.

We offer lessons in: violin, viola, cello, double bass, classical guitar, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, cornet, trombone, French horn, tuba, tenor and baritone horn, euphonium, drum kit.

We do not offer piano, keyboard, singing, oboe or bassoon.

The lessons take place during the school day and pupils are withdrawn from their normal lessons. Where possible the times of the lessons will be rotated so that pupils do not always miss the same school lesson.

The cost of tuition is heavily subsidised at £60-00 per term, regardless of the length of the term, and invoiced termly. Missed lessons are non-refundable, although there are some occasions (e.g: Year 10 Work Experience) where the termly fee is reduced.

Entry fees for instrumental exams are invoiced separately.

Pupils benefitting from subsidised tuition at school are expected to contribute to at least one of the Music Department’s ensemble activities as soon as they have reached the appropriate standard. Parents are kindly requested to support us in this.