Mrs Goldup

Head of Music

Instruments: Oboe, Cor Anglais, Voice, Piano, Ukulele

 

Mr Hawkesford-Johnson

Music Teacher, Assistant Head Teacher, SEND Coordinator

Instrument: Piano

 

In year 7 you will have a 1 hour music lesson every week where you will explore the elements of music using different instruments such as Samba drums, keyboards, percussion, singing and ukulele. The units we will study are:

1)     Elements of Music and Graphical Scores

2)     Samba!

3)     Keyboard skills

4)     Garage Band

5)     Ukulele

6)     Calypso Music

In each unit you will listen to music, work in groups or pairs to create music, and perform your creations to each other. At the end of each half term you will perform your work.

In years 8 and 9 you will develop your performance, composition and analysis skills through units such as video game music, horror music, African Drumming, Blues and song writing. In years 10 and 11 you will have the option to study GCSE music where you will have 5 lessons per fortnight.

 

 

Mrs Goldup runs weekly lunchtime music clubs in the music block, as well as small ensembles run by some of the music peripatetic teachers. All are welcome! At the moment these are:

·       Orchestra

·       Choir

·       African Drumming

·       String Ensemble

·       Flute Choir

·       Brass Group

·       Saxophone & Clarinet Ensemble

Groups rehearse for fun and to prepare for performances in school and county wide.

 

As a member of one of the extra-curricular groups you will be able to take part in exciting trips to develop skills, perform and compete. In 2019/20 students enjoyed taking part in Sing Spring In – singing with other secondary school choirs to prepare new repertoire and perform as a mass choir. Many students also took part in Herefordshire Performing Arts Festival and won a number of awards including:

African Drumming Group – Gold award with a fantastic mark of 90/100

String Quartet – Gold award

Flora Altin – Gold Award in Woodwind Grade 7

Orchestra – Gold Award

Ellis Mossey – Joint Gold in Piano Grade 2

Grace Williams – Joint Gold in Piano Grade 2

Brass Trio – Gold Award

Ellis Mossey & Oliver Holt – Silver Award with a score of 91/100

Niamh Gabb – Silver Award in Piano grade 7

Thomas Powell – Silver Award in Piano Grade 4

Owen Wake – Silver Award in Brass Grade 6

Rosie Huffer – Silver Award in Grade 6 strings

Flute Ensemble – Joint silver award in Woodwind ensembles

Clarinet/Sax group – Joint silver award in Woodwind ensembles

Tom Kennedy – Bronze award in grade 5 strings

Klara O’Mahoney – Bronze award in Strings Grade 3

Clara Blei – Bronze award in Woodwind grade 5

This is what current year 8 thought about music lessons last year:

“I enjoyed music in year 7 as there are a range of activities and you don’t get bored” Amelia

“I liked the keyboard topic the most because it was difficult but so rewarding when you got it right” James

“I found music very interesting and fun to do, because we did a lot of practical stuff” Tara

“I find music fun because it lets you express yourself in different ways and it is always enjoyable” Kacper

“Music is one of my favourite classes, especially because we get to play on different instruments like keyboard and samba drums” Oscar

“Music is really fun, so many things to do! Piano, samba and so many fun music games” Sammy

“Music is amazing as it is fun when you learn instruments like keyboards and it just makes your day much better and joyful” Dom

“I find doing the practical African drumming, Samba and keyboard really exciting and thrilling. Music is always a subject I look forward to” Grace

At St Mary’s we have a fantastic team of peripatetic music teachers who deliver instrumental lessons every week. Lessons run throughout the school day, but times rotate so that you do not miss the same subject lesson more than once in a half term. You can choose to have a 20 or 30 minute lesson every week, and some group lessons are available.

Students really enjoy their weekly one to one lessons, learning to play music that they enjoy on their instruments. Many pupils work towards graded exams, but some also just play for their own enjoyment.

Peripatetic Teachers