Music
"Music is a beautiful and glorious gift of God, the reflection of the heavenly harmonies in which His angels and all the celestial host ever praise and glorify their Creator, singing in sweet strains: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth."
Michael Praetorius
It is the aim of the Music Department to find and release in all students this glorious gift of God and to encourage and develop it in instrumental playing, singing or through the curriculum. Everyone has musical ability and everyone should have the opportunity to be able to carry this interest and appreciation and to be able to engage in some form of music through into adult life.
The Music Curriculum
- Years 7 & 8 have one class lesson each and one joint singing lesson per week.
- Year 9 are taught in Tutor Groups and receive one lesson per week.
- Musical matters covered in the curriculum class lesson will include: learning about notation and simple theory; composition and learning to use Composing Software; learning about form; orchestral instruments; projects using classroom instruments and keyboards as well as the more usual orchestral instruments; improvisation; historical topics; performing.
- Year 10 can opt to study GCSE music into Year 11.
- Year 12 can opt to study AS music into Year 13 for A2.
There is a wide variety of choirs and instrumental groups on offer for students who play and sing at all levels.
- The Shaftesbury Children`s Choir for Years 3 – 8
- Choirplus for Years 9 – 13
- Chapel Choir for Years 7 – 13 (Audition only)
- Orchestra; Training Orchestra; Wind Band; Recorder Group; Percussion Ensemble
- Clarinet & Saxophone Ensemble; String Quartet
- Various small ensembles according to student demand
The Music Department supports 20 talented peripatetic staff who teach from one to three days every week offering a very diverse selection of musical skills.
Students are able to take part in numerous Concerts, Festivals, Competitive Festivals, Choir Trips as well as taking part in the many Liturgical events held in the Chapel as a chorister or as an instrumentalist.
St. Mary`s also offers and hosts opportunities for students and adults in the local area:
- The Primary Schools Music Festival held annually in February.
- The Beaufoy Camerata Ladies Choir rehearses every Tuesday evening in Campion Hall.
- Choral Day held in the School Chapel in May for anyone, anywhere, who enjoys a good sing.
"Study music in order to beautify your own heart, and beautify your own heart in order to make this world more beautiful for others." Anon
