The music clubs on offer at HGSS are designed to appeal to as wide a range of our musicians as possible.
All music clubs are run on a non-audition basis. Enthusiasm is more important!
- Drum Club is a student led group, open to all, to explore new rhythms and beats in a relaxed and friendly environment.
- Samba Band is a percussion ensemble, open to all, where rhythms of the South Americas are explored.
- Clarinet Choir is a group of clarinettists of approximately grade 2 standard and upwards. They perform at both school concerts and recent repertoire has included an Abba Medley and Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
- Tutti Flutties is a flute ensemble, they also play in school concerts. This group is suitable for players of approximately grade 2 upwards and their varied repertoire has included Greensleeves and Tears in Heaven. It is with this last piece that they were awarded the ‘Young Musician(s) of the Year’ award in the 2010 Music Festival.
- A Cappella is a singing club, open to all and they rehearse after school. A recently formed group of very enthusiastic singers, who sing in parts. Songs recently learnt have been Angels, Don’t Stop Believin’ and various songs from the Musicals.
- Saxophone Group is an ensemble of saxophonists, ran by the woodwind peripatetic, Mrs Thomas. Their repertoire includes music from both the classical and jazz eras.
- String Group is a small group of violinists and cellists who play accessible yet interesting music of approximately grade 1 standard and above.
- Swing Band is the largest music group, consisting of flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, guitars and drums. Music played is mostly from the jazz and swing eras, but also ‘pop’ music and songs from musicals. Pieces in their repertoire include Tequila, I Heard it on the Grapevine and Big Spender! As well as playing in school concerts, Swing Band also plays in the community at Christmas time, raising money for charity and at Waddesdon Music Festival in the Summer.
Reports on recent musical events:
Holmer Green Music Festival 2010
On 22nd February, Holmer Green hosted its first Music Festival! The adjudicator, Mr Brian Dipple from Mandeville School was impressed by the range of talent and skill shown by Holmer Green students.
The Festival began with a lively array of woodwind and brass instruments. Then we moved onto a more relaxed section of pianists. Mr Dipple then called a short break before the ensemble class which ranged from some lovely Year 7 duets to the very loud Drum Trio! Following that was a performance of ‘Angels’ sung by A Cappella. The drum solos followed with an exciting performance by Charlie Phelps, who went on to win the Drum Solo award. The more calming section of solo singers followed and finally the string section.
Below are the names of the winners:
- Piano Award – Jessica Williamson
- Woodwind and Brass Award – Amy Poulter Most Supportive Accompanist – Rachel Phillips
- Most likely to be Famous – Alice Eason
- Star String Player Award – Murray Horn
- Guitar Hero of the Day – David Wood
- Ensemble of the Day – Drum Trio
- Rocking Drummer Award – Charles Phelps
- Vocal Award – Olivia King
Tutti Fluties (seen above) - Winners of Music Festival 2010
"Altogether it was a fun, if slightly nerve-racking day! A big thank you to Mr Dipple and the Music Department for organising the event." Alice Eason. Year 9 Student.
Events coming up:
- Waddeson Manor Festival Sunday 27th June (afternoon) http://www.waddesdon.org.uk/madaboutwaddesdon/index.html
- Les Miserables trip, July 14th, leaving school at 11am. Backstage tour of the Queen’s Theatre 12.30-1.30pm followed by the matinee performance of Les Miserables at 2.30pm. Aiming to arrive back at school by 7pm.
Instrumental lessons
Peripatetic instrumental lessons are provided by a team of music teachers on the following instruments:
- Flute
- Clarinet
- Saxophone
- Piano
- Keyboard
- Violin
- Classical Guitar
- Folk Guitar
- Electric Guitar
- Bass Guitar
- Singing
- Drums
Parents are billed termly. Parent letter detailing fees and information (pdf 125kb)
Curriculum
The music curriculum aims to involve all students in enjoyable music making. The course is based on the four interrelated activities of Composition, Listening, Performance and Evaluation.
Composition:
This element of the course includes improvisation and the composing of song lyrics and instrumental pieces.
Listening:
Students are encouraged to develop an understanding and sensitivity to music and appreciate its aesthetic qualities. A wide range of music is studied – classical, world and popular styles amongst others.
Performance:
All students learn basic skills on the electronic keyboard, guitar and various percussion instruments. Students perform their own compositions and works by other composers.
Evaluation:
Students are encouraged to evaluate their own and others’ compositions and performances.
Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 receive one lesson of music every week. In Year 10 and 11 Music is an optional subject which can be taken to GCSE level.
Key stage 3
Year 7
The Music Department is aware that students entering the school in Year 7 have had varying amounts of musical input in their primary schools.
With this in mind, the first half-term is spent learning about basic music notation and singing. After this, we start learning easy keyboard pieces relevant to the topic we are studying. Extension pieces are always available for our more advanced students.
A summary of the Year 7 syllabus is:
- Term 1 - notation, singing and instruments of the orchestra
- Term 2 - chords and composition.
- Term 3 - music of The Beatles.
Homework is set monthly and is generally research based.
Year 8
- Term 1 - Pentatonicism, Composing a Christmas song
- Term 2 - Programme music and graphics scores
- Term 3 - Film music
Year 9
- Term 1 - The Blues
- Term 2 - Composition using ICT
- Term 3 - Popular music and composing a 'pop' song
Key stage 4
Results 2009 – 80% A*-C
GCSE Music consists of the following:
Composition
Composition lessons run throughout the two year course and students will work on a variety of directed topics composing individually. Students prepare two compositions and each composition is recorded and/or scored using a music-writing computer programme.
Prepared Performance
Students have to perform individually and as part of a group on any instrument of their choice. The piece can vary in standard according to the student’s individual ability.
Listening
Listening is taught through the above disciplines as well as on a formal basis, covering many musical terms and styles including examples from around the world. Regular listening to a variety of music with detailed questions to answer is an integral part of preparation for the final examination.
Resources used for teaching GCSE Music include:
- Making Waves – an ICT software package, a student version is available to buy from the Music Department for £1. See this link to the Making Waves webpage:
- Sibelius 6 – a music notation software package, a student version is available to buy for approximately £100. See this link:
- A useful book to have is the CGP core content study guide. This is available through school for £4.50, but you can sometimes pick them up cheaper from ebay. This book covers lots of music theory, notation, instruments, etc:
- There’s another CGP book that is very useful, that is the Areas of Study guide. In this book, there are notes on the specific genres that are studied, ie. ‘Classical’ music, ‘Pop’ music and World music:
- There are two textbooks that are used, which again may be useful for you to have at home. They are published by Rhinegold and Nelson Thornes. Both are available through Amazon.
Key stage 5
Information to be available soon.
Please contact the school on 01494 712219 if you require information.