Home > Curriculum and Learning > Music
Of music, Plato said:
‘Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything’
or to quote Charlie Brown;
‘Live and breathe MUSIC.’
My Music Mission at Whitstone is for everyone to LOVE, LIVE and BREATHE music. How is that to be achieved?
· by instilling in each student the courage to play and sing;
· by helping them experience the joy of taking part in an ensemble, be it in class or in concert; and
· by empowering them with the practical skills to create and perform their own music, so that they leave us ready to further their studies at Sixth Form College and University.
Will my child learn practical music skills in class? – Absolutely! The practical element of music-making in class is paramount. All pupils from Year 7 through to Year 9 quickly become used to music classes full of singing, playing and composing, often all in the same lesson.
They all begin with a ‘Do Now’ activity which is learning to play their favourite tunes on the brand-new Keyboards, the Yamaha PSR-E373. (Click on the keyboard photo to find out more.)
What about Years 10 and 11? Student who wish to continue and deepen their Music studies can sign up for the 2-year BTEC qualification, the syllabus of which is full of practical tasks from playing in an ensemble to singing and composing. (Click on the BTEC syllabus cover to find out more.)
Will my child get to play in a band? – Yes. From Year 7 upwards whatever the theme of the lessons, the second half of the term is devoted to students collaborating in small groups to build their own arrangement of one of the songs they have learned in the previous lessons. There are four rehearsals rooms and instruments available include keyboards, bass guitars, electric guitars, ukuleles and drumkits with extra percussion. These practices culminate in each band performing to each other towards the end of term.
What subjects are taught? There are many topics taught across the years, from festivals of many kinds, through Pop Music from The Blues to the Beatles to World Music from Calypso to Reggae. And yes, we do have a full set of Steel Drums (Pans) which are used by all years!
Will my child get to perform in a concert at Whitstone? The opportunities for student to share their music are many and varied, from solo concerts for each year, to annual Autumn and Summer Concerts. The Year 11s are currently working on their outdoor Glastonbury-style Leavers’ Concert in July and the school regularly receives invitations for Whitstone musicians to perform at local junior schools and care homes.
What about computer Music Technology? Whitstone School benefits from an impressive set of computers all running the latest versions of the music software Cubase and students learn to use this as they progress through the school. (Click on the screenshot below to find out more about the music software at Whitstone School.)
Will my child be able to join a weekly Music Club? Yes they will. Please see the Summer Music Clubs poster below...
For a selection of photographs taken by Year 7 students of the Music Rooms click here
What parents say about Music at Whitstone School:
‘What a great concert! I'm so sorry we had to leave early but I'm so impressed and love your energy! Your passion for music really shows and is infectious’.
For more details please email me at Michael.Castle@whitstoneschool.org
Thank you!