Music is taught within a well disciplined and yet congenial atmosphere where students are encouraged to fulfil their potential in performing, listening skills and composing. The subject is part of the Performing Arts Faculty which has been praised by OFSTED, HMI and internal inspections.
Teaching space is generous and widespread including a very large music room, a suite of practice rooms, a studio and use of two halls. The school has two grand pianos and five uprights, an ever growing selection of electronic keyboards, a small stock of orchestral and classroom percussion instruments and a music computer. Each year we welcome the St. Albans Festival for the Performing Arts who use our facilities.
Years 7,8 and 9 students each receive two forty five minute lessons per week covering Key Stage 3 National Curriculum Music. Thereafter music is optional at GCSE level. In addition students are given the opportunity to continue with or take up a musical instrument. Currently we offer brass teaching, flute, clarinet, violin, viola, acoustic lead, bass guitar and drumkit lessons and workshops, and also pianoforte. All instrumental lessons take place during the school day and timetabling priority is given to senior examination students with school paid group lessons initially offered to year 7 students. Fees are at current county rates.
The department is proud of its 100% GCSE pass rate, and the rise in numbers of students taking advantage of instrumental tuition within School.
Extra curricular music is very much encouraged, ranging from ensembles to vocal groups with performances within the community high in our planning. This season Marlborough musicians and singers will perform with the Abbey Gateway Orchestra and contribute to the St. Albans Secondary School Music Association concert in the Alban Arena. Internal concerts and recitals also feature on the school calendar. The annual House Choir Competition has a keen response from students each spring.
Pop stars such as Peter Andre, Another Level, Christian Fry and Benz have visited the School, and we look forward to more performances in the future.
The Junior choir gave a fully stage performance of 'Tom Sawyer' last term and work on a Victorian Music Hall is underway. Recent musicals have included 'The Boy Friend' and 'Salad Days'. Previous school productions have included 'Gilbert and Sullivan' operas. 'My Fair Lady', 'The Wizard of Oz', and 'Bugsy Malone'.
The Ever Expanding Web Music Listing