Music at Westbourne

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Spring peripatetic timetables now available

>>click here for Piano timetable

>>click here for Clarinet and Saxophone timetable

>>click here for Violin timetable

>>click here for Oboe and Flute timetable

>>click here for Guitar (Chris Walker) timetable

>>click here for Guitar (Kevin Walker) timetable

>>click here for Drums timetable

>>click here for Singing timetable

>>click here for Brass timetable

>>click here for Extra Curricular Music List 2011/2012

Music is a very important part of life at Westbourne School, with the Music Department encouraging pupils in both our Junior and Senior School to develop their skills in performance, composition and listening. All pupils, from Reception through to Year 11, are taught by specialist music teachers and the focus of the lessons is to give the pupils a rounded knowledge of the main elements of music and musical processes.   

We have dedicated practice rooms and performance spaces in both the Junior and Senior Schools and pupils are encouraged to use the spaces for individual practice as often as they need. In the Senior School we have nine networked computers, all with sampling, sequencing and music notation software, to enable all pupils the opportunity to develop their music technology skills. There are recording facilities in both the Junior and Senior School to allow performances and compositions to be recorded on a regular basis.

We are lucky to be joined by ten excellent peripatetic teachers who specialise in their individual instruments. (Our oboe teacher Hazel Cropper, plays with opera North, the drum teacher Mr Johnston has shared the stage with the band who became the Kaiser Chief's and our guitar teachers, the Walker brothers played at Glastonbury summer 2010.)

Throughout the year pupils are offered the opportunity to perform at concerts and events both in school and out of school. Every pupil is encouraged to take part in performances and all ages, abilities and musical styles are included.

Music is accessed by all ages, with each class from Reception to Year 9 having at least 2 lessons of Music each week. All pupils in Year 3 and Year 4 receive group tuition on the recorder and ukulele. In addition to this, pupils are able to take individual instrumental lessons. Currently approximately 50% of the Junior School and 30% of the Senior School receive instrumental tuition, with many of these pupils learning more than one instrument. 

Music is seen as part of our everyday life. In the Junior School singing takes place every day and we have an outdoor music area for playtime while in the Senior School all of Year 7 & 8 take part in group singing at least once a week. In addition a number of musical opportunities take place during lunchtimes and evenings for every child to participate in.

There is a developing programme for Outstandingly Able musicians in which children are tutored in Associated Board theory examinations. In addition to this, children regularly take the ABRSM practical examinations, as well as taking the Sheffield Music Service Music Exams and the Rockschool examinations. Children love this chance to shine and strive to have their photograph taken with their certificate for the “Wall of Fame” in the Music Department! We are also proud to have instrumentalists playing with the Sheffield Schools’ Windband on a Thursday evening and Sheffield Independent Schools Training Orchestra on a Friday evening. An invitation is also extended to join composition classes, which have been very popular.

Performance is part of musical life and in order to banish nerves and develop confidence it is vital that our musicians are given the chance to perform to an audience in both formal and informal circumstances. To this end we hold 2 informal concerts each term and formal performances such as a carol service, nativity, concert or musical play at the end of each term throughout the school. All children are encouraged to participate and they clamour to be included in informal concerts.

The Junior School Choir is kept busy with concerts at the Cathedral as part of their Outreach programme, leading our Carol Service at St Mark’s, Broomhill, singing at St John’s, Ranmoor, for the Homestart Charity and in June 2009 went on our first ever Choir Tour to Belgium.

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