Music
The Music Department is a vibrant and busy part of life at Brooke Priory, with specialist staff teaching curriculum music, whole class instrumental lessons and providing opportunities for music making for all the children from nursery to Form VI.
Classroom Music
Music is an integral part of life at Brooke Priory, with specialist subject teaching ensuring that all pupils receive the highest possible standard of music education. Curriculum music is an opportunity for children to experience a wide variety of musical styles; listen, compose and perform together to develop confidence and a life-long love of music.
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| All pupils throughout the school have a weekly class music lesson built into their timetable. Whole class instrumental lessons in Form II (violin), Form IV (trumpet and trombone) and Form V (ukulele) mean that every child can experience the joy of learning a musical instrument, as well the related skills of listening, performing with others and musical discipline. The Kodaly method is weaved throughout the curriculum, with younger pupils learning to use their voices musically and developing core pitch and rhythm skills. Prep pupils build on the skills learned further down the school, learning to use more advanced musical vocabulary and further developing their composing and performing skills. Pupils explore a wide variety of musical genres and their cultural and social contexts. Through topics including ‘Water Music’, ‘Machine Music’ and ‘Animal Crackers’ they acquire skills in composing and performing with a variety of instruments and singing, as well as developing listening skills and a strong musical vocabulary. Recent workshops given by visiting specialists have included Body Percussion, Folk Music Healthy Singing, Samba Drumming and Indonesian Gamelan. Singing is an extremely valued part of the weekly timetable and all children belong to one of the school choirs; there are also opportunities to sing in weekly hymn practices, school assemblies, the Harvest Festival and Carol Concert, as well as in musical theatre productions. |
“Musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed. Any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability, just as all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue. The potential of every child is unlimited” Shinichi Suzuki
Extra-curricular opportunities
All pupils have the opportunity to receive individual musical tuition in a variety of disciplines, and the wide range of school ensembles gives everyone the chance to play or sing with others. During the school week there are scheduled rehearsals for Junior and Senior Choirs and the school ensemble. We also offer optional music clubs, including Chamber Choir, Boys’ Choir and Junior Ensemble. Regular concerts, after school recitals and trips to senior schools for orchestral days and choir festivals give the children the chance to showcase their skills, develop self-confidence and perform to a wider audience.
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| Individual Tuition |
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We are fortunate to have a wonderful team of peripatetic music teachers at Brooke Priory. Lessons are 30 minutes long, and the timetable is rotated each week so that pupils do not miss the same lesson too often.
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| Paired Lessons |
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| Paired lessons are also available on some instruments. Pupils can work towards grades or choose to progress in a more natural way, without the pressure of exams. The talents of our musicians are always carefully monitored in case there is the potential to become a music scholar for future schools and we have had several students who have gone on to be awarded scholarships at prestigious schools such as Oakham and Uppingham. |
