MusicThe Music Department consists of 5 music teachers including a Music Technology applications co-ordinator and 12 peripatetic instrumental teachers (currently providing over 60 hours tuition across the full instrumental range).
Over 250 pupils benefit from peripatetic instrumental lessons for which the school makes no charge. There is an expectation that these pupils participate in the tremendous array of music ensembles to develop their repertoire and playing. 15 ensembles meet weekly and include 2 orchestras, 2 concert bands, 3 choirs, 2 jazz orchestras, 2 string groups, sax group, clarinet ensemble, brass group and worship group. Some of these have over 100 participants.
The high quality of these ensembles has been recognised by Ofsted inspections and nationally with the school leading the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust Music and Dance Showcase Event that took place at Birmingham Symphony Hall in July 2004; the school was invited to present performances at the SSAT Performing Arts National Conference at Harrogate in March 2007. The Sixth Form Chamber Choir was invited by English Touring Opera to participate in a large-scale community opera involving vocal groups from Doncaster and Sheffield. Workshops with high quality professional performers of varied disciplines have become an important addition to the department’s work, allowing considerable enrichment of examination courses and development of pupil performance skills. A rich and varied calendar of concerts and musicals is given within the school and the wider community. In March 2006 and 2004, the school presented My Fair Lady and West Side Story to fantastic acclaim. Other recent productions have included Jesus Christ Superstar, Oliver, The Wiz and Joseph. The Senior Symphony Orchestra has a long running annual exchange with the Poulenc Orchestra of Sainte Foy les Lyon (near Lyon) in France.
As part the school’s Performing Arts Specialist College status, the department has significant impact in the wider community as a network leader, facilitator and state-of-the-art base for musical activities and training.
