Music
Our goal is for students to take a deep, personal interest in developing their own musical experiences and talents; then sharing those talents with the wider St Columba’s community and beyond. Music is a vital element in all our lives and we aim to instil in students a love of music that will last a lifetime.
Some examples of our programmes of study include Blues, Jazz, Programme Music, Minimalism and African rhythms. Classroom percussion, guitars, keyboards and singing are used for performance while composition includes the use of software packages, such as Sibelius.
Education in music is most sovereign because more than anything else rhythm and harmony find their way to the innermost soul and take strongest hold upon it. Attributed to Plato
The Music Department encourages students to continue in their study of Music at GCSE following the Eduqas specification. Composition and performance skills are developed in a wide variety of styles, with opportunities for the students to perform solo and ensemble pieces as well as their own compositions. The Listening and Appraising element of the syllabus is diverse, covering music from 1600 to the present day, Rock and Pop styles, Jazz, Film Music, Music Theatre and Chamber Music.
Many students extend their musical education through our Instrumental and Vocal Tuition Programme, enrolling in individual music lessons, which are offered in all instruments. Students can be entered for examinations in the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Trinity or Trinity Rock and Pop. Students who are studying Music at GCSE or A Level have their lessons on one instrument paid for by the College. Music Scholarships are offered to talented performers at 11+, 13+ and 16+.
Music: Prep
Course Description
Music is an integral part of the Prep School and every child is encouraged to play a full and active part in making music; our aim is to provide all our pupils with the skills they need to enjoy music for a lifetime.
Curriculum Overview
Our curriculum is taught by specialist teachers who give pupils a broad range of musical experiences. Children develop an understanding of music through listening, appraising, composing and performing. The Music Department is extremely well resourced with a wide range of orchestral instruments.
The Prep School has many choirs and, through strong links with St Albans Cathedral, many of our more able singers are choristers. At St Columba’s, performance is a key element of the music programme and children are given the opportunity to show off their talents on a variety of concerts and recitals both in school and the local community. There are several co-curricular music groups including Prep Strings, Prep Band, Prep Choir, Chamber Choir, Prep Samba, Prep Guitars, Ukelele Group and Prep Bell Choir.
The children’s interest is sparked in Prep 3, when all pupils receive taster lessons in violin, cello, trumpet, trombone, clarinet and flute on a carousel throughout the year. In Prep 4, all pupils learn ‘doods and toots’, they then go on to have an opportunity to play the ukulele and djembes. For many this is the start of a lifelong love of music, and one which offers our pupils otherwise untold opportunities for achievement and enjoyment.
What are the unique selling points of studying this subject at St Columba’s College?
Every child gets to try out and perform on a wide range of instruments from the western classical tradition of Music, folk Music and from various Music traditions from around the world. All pupils get several performing opportunities in Nativities, Concerts and Musical Shows throughout there time in the prep School.
How are the students assessed?
Pupils are formatively assessed in Prep Music and some individual pupils take specific instrumental and vocal exams which are externally assessed.
Home Learning
There is no home learning in Prep Music although extension challenges will be offered to pupils who learn specific instruments.
How can parents/guardians support their child’s learning?
Practice instrumentally and also singing practice when materials are shared on TEAMS.
