In Years 7 and 8 you receive two lessons per two-week cycle. You study a wide range of topics from different musical styles and cultures, including Samba, Blues, Western Classical Music, Electronic Dance Music and Gamelan. There is a strong emphasis on composition and practical music-making within the curriculum to build confidence and encourage collaboration, alongside a thorough grounding in basic music theory. Music becomes an optional subject in Year 9 and builds upon the skills taught during Years 7 and 8 preparing the ground – in a comprehensive practical way – for the GCSE Edexcel course.
Music
The importance of studying music can’t be overstated
Mr T Newberry BA (Hons), MEd (Cantab), DipABRSM
Director of Music
tnewberry@colfes.com
Music is an integral part of life at Colfe’s. It enables pupils to build confidence through performance, nurture creativity through composition and develop critical inquiry through musical appraisal.
The Music department is equipped with a recital hall, three classrooms, a music technology suite, a recording studio and six practice rooms. The school houses two organs, three grand pianos and numerous other orchestral instruments. Pupils have access to music software including Logic Pro, Sibelius, Soundtrap and Flat.
In support of academic lessons, the Music department runs numerous workshops and trips. Recent events include a vocal workshop with the National Youth Choir and an opera trip to see Bartók’s ‘Bluebeard’s Castle’. Pupils also have the opportunity to hone their performance skills through masterclasses with professional visiting musicians.
Unique to the Music department at Colfe’s is a strong working partnership with Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, one of London’s leading music colleges. Our pupils have the opportunity to work on collaborative projects with conservatoire students where they can learn from aspiring professionals and enhance their own performances. Furthermore, the Music department runs a recital series featuring students from Trinity Laban, giving Colfe’s pupils the opportunity to experience different types of music and learn about life at a music conservatoire.
Years 7-11
Sixth Form
At A-level, you follow the Edexcel syllabus, studying a range of set works from a variety of eras and styles. The appraisal component is both challenging and diverse, allowing you to explore musical genres broadly and place each set work in its wider cultural and historical context. You are also expected to compose and perform as part of the course. You benefit from a wide range of co-curricular performance opportunities to hone your skills as both soloists and chamber musicians, whilst there are regular visits from our Visiting Composer Jonathan Woolgar to support GCSE and A-level classes. There are regular trips to concerts in London to support your A-level studies.
Many students continue to study Music beyond Colfe’s at a variety of prestigious universities and conservatoires. Recent destinations have included Oxford, King’s College London and Trinity Laban Conservatoire.
