Music
Music is a powerful, unique form of communication that can change the way pupils feel, think and act. It brings together intellect and emotion, and enables personal expression, reflection and emotional development.
In particular, Music offers pupils the chance to:
- Experience a sense of pride and achievement in their own work
- Demonstrate their ability in an area NOT dependent on language skills
- Improve listening, concentration and attention skills
- Experiment and try new ideas where there are no right or wrong answers
- Develop co-ordination and motor skills
- Encougage team/ group work, co-operation, tolerance and a willingness to work with others
- Develop self discipline & self-confidence
- Be involved with activities that may provide a fulfilling hobby or pastime and promote lifelong learning.
Aims
Specifically, the department aims to provide a coherent, relevant, broad-based, balanced, differentiated curriculum, based upon the national curriculum. The department also aims to provide a learning environment which is stimulating, enjoyable and challenging, where teaching plans provide concise and clear specifications of what pupils are expected to learn, how and when learning is to be undertaken, and where learning outcomes and assessment strategies are clearly stated.
The Music Department is staffed by a Director of Music. In addition several visiting peripatetic teachers assist by teaching individual instrumental and singing lessons, independently funded by each parent. (Details of these lessons are available in the Music Lessons Flyer).
The Music Department is housed on the first floor of a purpose-built Performing Arts Block, the ground floor of which is a Drama Studio. There are 5 practice rooms and a main teaching/ rehearsal room.
Pupils have access to computers and other IT equipment appropriate to their age.
Music at Stoke College is a compulsory subject for students throughout the Prep School, from the Reception Class through Key Stage 3 (years 7, 8 and 9).
The subject at Key Stage 4 (years 10 and 11) is optional, the students currently follow the Edexcel syllabus.
The schemes of work for Key Stage 3 closely follow the National Curriculum. The coursebooks for this Key Stage are New Music Matters by Chris Hiscock & Marion Metcalfe (Heinemann), which forms the base, to act as a springboard for other activities. These involve various resources such as: worksheets, discussion and dialogue, visual aids, structured tasks, directed listening and the use of ICT, where possible.
Music is a subject on which the school has a necessary demand. Due to the essentially ‘public’ nature of the subject and the fluctuating size of the school / classes, the department adapts a flexible approach to the planning, preparation and assessment; as well as the implementation of schemes of work, whilst ensuring that the department maintains our aims and objectives.
Practical tasks form the core of the learning - the emphasis is on first-hand experience – “learning through DOING”, which aims to help each child achieve confidence, competence and control. The amount of direct teaching and individual tasks, in pairs or groups varies to suit the nature of the task.
Group activities are planned at relevant points throughout the course. They give the opportunity for group compositions, improvisations and performances.
Throughout the course a variety of teaching materials will be used mainly the “New Music Matters” textbook for Key Stage 3.
Extra Curricular activities and Performing opportunities include:
- Lower Prep School Nativity J1,2,& 3
- Prep School Choir – run by a peripatetic singing teacher, performing at the Christmas Service, the Easter Service and the Gala Concert
- Prep School Musical - Annual production for Yrs 4 - 6
- Year 7 & 8 Choir
- The ‘Plinkers’ – a Ukelele club run by a Peripatetic teacher
- “19335” – a selected band of advanced musicians
- Band/Ensemble Rehearsals – this is a vital and increasingly popular part of music-making. Many individual and ensembles use the practice rooms for lunch-time and break-time rehearsals.
- Senior School Musical – Annual production at the Haverhill Arts Centre for Yrs 7 - 10
- “Music Club” - run by the Director of Music – open to all from J5 upwards and taking place after school. This caters for pupils wishing to undertake private practice, bands or help with GCSE or Music Theory.
- Arts Festival - Annual Summer Term event for the whole school, it includes informal competitions in Solo Song, Solo Instrument and Ensembles / Groups/ Bands
- Gala Concert – End of Festival concert
- Christmas Service - Both Choirs and individual/ group items. Year 8 & 9 Songs composed during their projects.
- Prep School Harvest - All Prep School, including Choir
- Easter Service Both Choirs, and individual/ group items. Year 8 & 9 Songs composed during their projects.
What do Stoke College musicians do when they leave?
We have a great deal of Old Collegians who go on to study Music elsewhere, and continue to enjoy performing at both professional and amateur level:
- Matthew Crooke – Music Scholar, Purcell School; Co-Principal Viola in the National Youth Orchestra
- Tristan Stocks – (Studied at Trinity School of Music) Professional Singer, Glyndebourne Opera
- Genevieve Arnold - (Studied at Trinity School of Music) Jazz Singer, based in London
- Peter Hepworth – Singer/ Songwriter
- Hannah Sample; Edward Lynam – Djing
- Matthew Cardle – Winner ITV’s ‘The X Factor’
- Joe Spurgeon – Drummer, ‘The Horrors'
- Joe Bailey / Alfie Waike-Pawsey (Studying at West Suffolk College) - members of 'The Peripheral'
- David McKenny - Studying Gamelan at university in Java
- Claire Watts Asst Registrar - Royal Academy of Music
- Tom Povall Singer/ Songwriter Milqud; Producer FNR Studios
