BUILDING CONFIDENCE, INTEGRITY & EXCELLENCE MUSIC DEPARTMENT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND PUPILS

Transcription

1 BUILDING CONFIDENCE, INTEGRITY & EXCELLENCE MUSIC DEPARTMENT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND PUPILS

2 02 Welcome to the Music Department Our department is alive with the joy of music; from lessons and group rehearsals to informal clubs and regular concerts, music can be heard throughout the day. We want all our students to enjoy music whatever their level of musical experience. Our aim is to provide an enjoyable and challenging environment in which students can experience a wide choice of both contemporary and traditional music on both an informal and formal basis. Our music activities and lessons take place in our purpose built music department. Our facilities include: 10 practice rooms each with acoustic piano 1 large classroom 1 music technology classroom with 12 workstations 1 recital room 2 grand pianos We are proud of the opportunities and rich, varied programme of musical activities that we offer. Students involved in our activities not only develop musically but grow in confidence and easily form new friendships. This leaflet will provide details of our programme including the major events we have planned for our 2018/2019 calendar. We look forward to welcoming your child into our department and seeing you at one of our forthcoming concerts.

3 03 Choirs YEAR 7 CHOIR All Year 7 students belong to this choir. The emphasis is on enjoying making music together and learning to perform in public. It s traditional for the Year 7 Choir to sing in our two school carol services in December. Directed by Mrs Tham-Williams, this choir rehearses on Monday lunchtimes in the Jarvis Room. SCHOOL CHOIR This choir meets in the Jarvis Room during Tuesday lunchtime and is for all students interested in part-singing and performing classical, pop and musical theatre songs. No audition is required. The choir is directed by Mrs Tham-Williams. CHAMBER CHOIR This is our choir for advanced singers. Entry is by audition. The Chamber Choir is directed by Dr Bebbington and rehearses on Mondays after school in the Jarvis Room. Some of our senior members recently attended a performance of Die Walküre by Grange Park Opera at West Horsley Place, Surrey. In March 2017 the Chamber Choir and guests performed Mozart s Requiem, accompanied by the Chamber Orchestra.

4 04 Orchestras SCHOOL ORCHESTRA The main school orchestra is for students who are at least Grade 4 standard. Recent performances have included Finlandia by Sibelius, Night on a Bare Mountain by Mussorgsky and themes from Jurassic Park and E.T. More advanced members of the orchestra are also members of small chamber ensembles which also rehearse on the same afternoon. Directed by Mrs Scrutton, it rehearses on Wednesdays at 3.30 pm in the Jarvis Room. JARVIS ORCHESTRA This orchestra is for all students starting to learn an instrument up to about Grade 4 standard. Emphasis is on having fun and CHAMBER ORCHESTRA For more advanced instrumentalists, entry into the Chamber Orchestra is by invitation. In March 2017 it accompanied the Chamber Choir and guests in their performance of Mozart s Requiem and in February 2016 the orchestra provided the accompaniment for the school Drama and Music production of Oliver!. This year the orchestra will accompany solos by four of our Music Scholars. The orchestra rehearses on Friday afternoons in the Jarvis Room and is directed by Mrs Scrutton. developing confidence in group playing. The Jarvis Orchestra rehearses during Friday lunchtime and is directed by Mrs Tham-Williams.

5 05 Groups ADVANCED STRING GROUPS Led by Ms Townsend, entry is by invitation, for students who are Grade 7 and above. This small ensemble rehearses after school on Tuesdays. SWING, FUNK & SOUL BAND Led by Mr Rickards, this is a mixed ensemble including drums, base and singers. Entry is by invitation and rehearsals are after school on Tuesdays. FLUTE CHOIR The Flute Choir is for players from Grade 4 upwards. It meets on Wednesday lunchtimes and is directed by Mrs Clark. SAXOPHONE GROUP For saxophonists! Please ask the group s director, Mr Rickards, for information about the standard required to join. The group rehearses on Thursday lunchtimes.

6 06 ADVANCED CHAMBER GROUPS Groups are directed by Mrs Clark and take place on Wednesdays after school. CLARINET CREW The Clarinet group for students who are Grade 2 and above. It rehearses on Friday lunchtimes and is directed by Mr Rickards. FLUTE FACTORY This is a fun group for beginners. Rehearsals are on Wednesday lunchtimes with Mrs Clark. BRASS GROUP Directed by Mr Rickards, this group of brass players meets on Wednesday lunchtimes. From cornet to tuba, any standard, everyone is welcome. GUITAR GROUP Directed by Mr Beaman, this group runs during Tuesday lunchtime. Academic During their weekly lessons students in Years 7 to 9 experience a range of music through listening, composing and performing. This includes studying the Blues, Film Music, Ground Bass, Indian Music, Ragtime as well as the more classical genres such as Mozart and the Minuet. Music technology skills are developed through the use of Sibelius and Cubase software. Regular collaboration with the Drama Department provides valuable links with other subjects and school productions. Students can take Music as a GCSE and can continue studying Music as an A-Level option in the Sixth Form. Both courses follow the AQA syllabus.

7 07 Instrumental Lessons A significant number of our students have private one to one lessons with close to 200 instrumental lessons taking place each week. The school can provide lessons on the following instruments. Cello Clarinet Classical guitar Double bass Drum kit/percussion Electric guitar Flute French horn Keyboard Oboe Piano Recorder Saxophone Singing Trombone Trumpet Tuba Viola Violin FEES per 35 minute lesson, usually ten a term. Application forms are downloadable from the school s website: performingarts SCHOOL TRIPS The music department provides students with the opportunity to hear high quality music performed live. Recent trips have included attending performances of Miss Saigon and Amadeus. Some of our senior Chamber Choir members watched a performance of Die Walküre by Grange Park Opera, at West Horsley Place Surrey.

8 08 Music Staff SWPS is very proud of its highly experienced instrumental teaching staff. Many are in demand as soloists, as well as performing with top orchestras, chamber groups and as professional session musicians. Others are well-known composers and arrangers. SWPS is fortunate in that its instrumental staff also use their expertise to run and coach many of our school instrumental groups. MS TOWNSEND Strings MRS CLARK Flute & Theory MR STANLEY Piano MRS ROCKHILL Violin & Percussion MR BEAMAN Guitar MR RICKARDS Saxophone & Clarinet MRS MCGIBBON Singing MRS BURSTON Singing MRS DAVIES Theory

9 09 Lessons are on a rota basis in Years 7 to 9 and fixed thereafter. Students on rotas can only miss one academic lesson each week. Associated Board Music examinations take place each term in school,enabling students to perform in familiar surroundings, as well as to practise with their own instrumental teacher as accompanist. Results are usually outstanding. MISS JULIE AHERNE Piano MISS H BARKER Oboe & Recorder MR SUVINI Violin MRS MITCHELL Cello MR WOOLLEY Piano DR BEBBINGTON Chamber Choir Director

10 10 Concerts & Events All performances help our students find the courage to overcome nerves, to take to the stage and to enjoy the thrill of being in front of an audience. This sparks a confidence in their talents and abilities so they can rise to any challenges that come their way. In addition to the events listed below, other performance opportunities include the FOSWPS Christmas Fair, Grandparents Morning, Parent Information Mornings and Open Evenings. AUTUMN CHAMBER CONCERT Thursday 11 October Jarvis Room 7.00 pm An opportunity to hear a range of impressive solo & ensemble items from students throughout the school. CHRISTMAS CONCERT Wednesday 5 December Main Hall 7.00 pm A chance to hear our choirs, orchestras and larger ensembles, with solos by our music scholars. CHAMBER CHOIR PERFORMANCE IN FLORAL HOUSE Friday 7 December Floral House 1.00 pm A popular selection of well-loved carols sung in a private session for the residents of the local elderly care home. NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS St Peter s Shared Church, Chertsey Monday pm & Tuesday pm A traditional Christmas service with readings and popular carols sung by the School, Chamber and Year 7 Choirs. The congregation joins in with the singing of traditional Christmas carols. Followed by mulled wine and mince pies provided by FOSWPS. Admission is free but tickets are required. Early booking is advised as this event is always fully booked. SPRING CONCERT Wednesday 27 March Main Hall 7.00 pm SUMMER CHAMBER CONCERT Thursday 9 May Jarvis Room 7.00 pm An opportunity to hear impressive solos and outstanding ensembles from throughout the school.

11 11 LUNCHTIME CONCERTS Lunchtime Concerts are held in the Jarvis Room. Concerts start at pm. include performances from all year groups. Everyone is welcome. Admission is free. Booking required. LUNCHTIME CONCERTS Year 8 Thursday 8 November Year 8 Thursday 15 November Year 8 Thursday 22 November Year 8 Thursday 29 November Scholars Concert Thursday 24 January Year 7 Thursday 31 January Year 7 Thursday 7 February Year 7 1 Year 7 GCSE & A Level Performance Coursework 1pm Thursday 14 February Thursday 28 February Thursday 7 March Thursday 14 March Thursday 21 March Thursday 6 June

12 RIVER BUILDING CONFIDENCE, INTEGRITY & EXCELLENCE Admission All Music events are usually free of charge but for larger concerts tickets must be booked before the event. We use Eventbrite for our event bookings. Everyone is very welcome to attend. Tel: Ticket Hotline Post: Via the Music Post Box located outside the Staff Room Details are correct at time of print. Up-to-date information can be obtained on the school website For further information please contact The Music Department Tel: St. Peters Hospital White Lodge Centre TO VIRGINIA WATER To Lyne & Chobham HOLLOWAY HILL To Thorpe & Virginia Water GUILDFORD B388 Salesian School A320 ROAD To Staines Egham & Windsor A320 STAINES ROAD PYRCROFT ROAD Chertsey M25 WINDSOR STREET GUILDFORD STREET Public library CHERTSEY STATION HERIOT ROAD ST. PETERS CHURCH LONDON ST EASTWORTH ROAD A317 FREE PRAE RD POUND RD TO ADDLESTONE To Sunbury & Shepperton B375 BRIDGE ROAD FORDWATER ROAD B387 WEIR RD CHERTSEY ROAD CHERTSEY BRIDGE THAMES To Weybridge & Walton-on-Thames A320 To Ottershaw & Woking ST. PETERS WAY JUNCTION 11 A317 Addlestone To Byfleet New Haw CHERTSEY ROAD A318 SIR WILLIAM PERKINS S SCHOOL GUILDFORD ROAD CHERTSEY SURREY KT16 9BN music@swps.org.uk