Category:

Music

Music sits at the heart of Ditcham Park School

Music is a vitally important part of life at our school. We pride ourselves in giving every pupil the opportunity to explore their potential, to enjoy making music whatever their ability, in both curricular and co-curricular settings.

Senior School Music:

All pupils in KS3 study music as a curricular subject. Lessons focus on practical, creative and listening skills in a wide variety of contexts. This prepares pupils who opt for Music as a GCSE subject.

Junior School Music:

Music is an integral part of Ditcham. As well as all children having class music lessons from Dragonflies to Year 6 with specialist music teachers, pupils are encouraged to take part in a wide range of musical rehearsals and activities each week. These include junior orchestra, junior choir, brass group, string group, hand bells and keyboard club. Performances from these groups are encouraged and there are many opportunities to perform throughout the year at assemblies, services and concerts.

Aside from what is covered in the main music curriculum, Ditcham children learn recorders in Transition, cornet or trombone in Lower Juniors, flute or clarinet in Middle Juniors and violin in Upper Juniors. This provides children with opportunities to try instruments and to increase their musical understanding.

We also have an experienced group of peripatetic teachers who offer one to one paid lessons. A Music Scholarship is awarded annually at age 8+, and 11+ for outstanding pupils. For further details of this and/or learning a musical instrument at the school, please contact the Admissions Secretary or the Head of Music, Mr E Williamson.

GCSE Music:

Pupils who learn a musical instrument or voice can opt for the Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Music qualification in Year 9 (Form 3).

There are three components to the course: Performing (30%), Composing (30%) and Appraising (40%). The course enables pupils to study four Areas of Study, each contacting two Set Works, and content is delivered in terms of musical elements, musical contexts and musical language. The course allows pupils to learn in-depth appraising skills in preparation for their assessments.

Extra Curricular:

At Ditcham Park School we have an extensive range of music making taking place, which includes a regular series of rehearsals taking place over lunchtime and mini lesson slots. See below to download our weekly rehearsal schedule.

Each week up to 200 individual instrumental and vocal lessons are delivered by a team of specialist visiting peripatetic music teachers. Should you wish your son/daughter to take up an instrument please click here (or download below) for a peripatetic request Form and return to Mr Williamson. Please see below for our instrumental lessons on offer:

Instrumental lessons on offer:

  • Piano
  • Singing
  • Violin
  • Flute
  • Clarinet
  • Saxophone
  • Cornet
  • Trumpet
  • French Horn
  • Trombone
  • Euphonium
  • Electric Guitar
  • Bass Guitar
  • Classical Guitar
  • Drumkit
  • Percussion

Events:

Concerts and musical performances take place regularly throughout each term, showcasing the talents of the School’s senior musicians. Performance opportunities are offered within a variety of musical events being held throughout the academic year as well as musical contributions at assemblies and school services. We endeavour to take pupils and their music further afield and have in the past undertaken tours to Europe.

Music Scholarship:

A Music Scholarship is awarded annually at 11+ and 13+ for outstanding pupils. For further details of these scholarships please contact the Admissions Secretary or the Head of Music, Mr E Williamson.

Downloads

Title
Date
Extras_Peripatetic_Lessons_Form - Updated
15th Mar 2024
WEEKLY MUSIC REHEARSALS 2023-24
15th Mar 2024

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