Wednesday 19th June 2013
Headmaster: Bruce C.W. Grindlay MA (Cantab)
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Academic Departments

Music

 

The Music School at Sutton Valence is a building full of life and vitality, priding itself on its wide range of music emitting from its interior. For the really keen and the casual musician, there is as much music being taught, re-hearsed, work-shopped and performed as could be imagined.

The School has an outstanding reputation for the quality of its music, and provides great opportunities for musically talented pupils. There are over 30 Music Scholars in the school who have been selected on merit through a small audition. Details of how to apply can be obtained from the Director of Music at Horleyp@svs.org.uk.  The Director of Music is always available to parents either during visits to the school or by telephone to answer questions about scholarships or any other musical matter at the school.

Academic Music

First and Second Form
Pupils in First and Second Form have one 55 minute music lesson per week. The course allows plenty of differentiation for the more able pupils whilst giving less able pupil’s opportunities to make and enjoy all sorts of styles.
In First Form pupils study Basic theory, the Elements of Music, Rhythms, Forms, Folk Music
In Second Form pupils study more advanced musical theory, Music in Space, Music and the Seasons, Variations

Third Form

Pupils in Third Form have the option to study music as a lead up to GCSE. The lessons concentrate on grade 4 to 5 theory, Film music, musicals, pop music and performing in groups.

 

GCSE

5 Areas of Study Rhythm &
Metre		 Harmony & Tonality Texture &
Melody		 Timbre & Dynamics Structure &
Form

 

3 Strands The Western Classical Tradition Popular Music of 20th & 21st Centuries World Music
Consisting of:
 •    Baroque Orchestral     Music
•    The Concerto
•    Music for Voices
•    Chamber Music
•    The Sonata		 •    Blues
•    Pop of the 1960s
•    Rock Music, R’n’B, Hip Hop
•    Music Theatre
•    Film Music		 Music of:
•   Caribbean
•    Africa
•    India

 

Assessment Listening to and Appraising Music
20%		 Composing and Appraising Music
20%		 Performing Music
40%		 Composing Music
20%
How? 1 Hour Exam
80 marks

Externally Assessed
40 marks

20 hours composing time

2 hours Appraising time

Controlled Assessment
60 marks

2 performances – 30 marks for each

Controlled Assessment
30 marks

25 hours composing time
What? Listening exam in May of Second Form. Questions linked to the 5 Areas of Study and the 3 Strands

Compose 1 piece of music using 2 or more of the Areas of Study and linked to The Western Classical Tradition. Appraise the composing process and the composition.    


 1 individual performance, 1 group performance Compose 1 piece of music that explores 2 or more of the Areas of Study. The composition can be in any style or genre.

The compositions must be linked to at least 2 Areas of Study looked at in the listening component. Further details are available from the Director of Music

AS and A Level

AS Level Performing 5-6min recital   
30% 15%
Composing

1) One 3 min piece from 4 stimuli

2) Writing a CD note

 30% 15%
Musical Understanding

1) Listening

2) Musical Styles

3) Understanding Chords

 40% 20%
A Level Performing 12-15 min recital   15%
Composing

2 compositions from several stimuli

1 composition and a harmony exercise or

2 harmony exercises

   15%
Musical Understanding

1) Aural Analysis

2) Music in Context

3) Continuity and Change in Music

   20%

Music beyond the curriculum


Instrumental Music
At present there are over 200 musical instrument lessons per week. Whether they learn at school or privately, everyone has the same opportunities and facilities open to them. If they have lessons at school, they operate on a "rotation" system for First to Fourth Form. In Fifth and Sixth Forms pupils have lessons in their free times.  Lesson times are published in the Music School. In addition to this, parents, pupils and Heads of Forms are emailed at the weekend; tutors are e-mailed every morning reminding pupils when their lesson times are.

Instrumental Teaching Staff:
There are also several instrumental groups in which every pupil is expected to take part as they have achieved the necessary standard. The extra demands of working and playing in a group help instrumentalists to progress faster than they can on their own – it helps with sight reading, practice and their musical “ear”. Current instrumental groups include: Concert Orchestra; Chamber Orchestra; String Ensembles; Jazz Band; Big Band, plus other small chamber groups.

 

Music Scholarships

For further information please go to the Scholarships and Bursaries page


Director of Music:
Philip Horley BA, ARCO, ALCM

Departmental staff:
Bryan Gipps The Royal Academy of Music FTCL, ARCO (CHM), ARCM, LRAM
David Holmes LRAM (Head of Strings)
 

Visiting staff:
Natalie Hall BMus (Brass)
Elaine Field FRAM, GRSM, LRAM, ARCM (Vocal Studies)
Pauline Fisher GRSM, ARCM (Brass)
Amanda Holmes BA (Hons) (Piano and Vocal Studies)
Andrew Keeping ARAM, LRAM (Guitar)
Claire Mount GRSM, LRAM, DipRAM (Piano)
Aiden Shepherd (Jazz Piano)
Carol Basden GRSM(Hons) DipRCM  (Clarinet)
Jamie Selby (Percussion)
John Summerfield (Double Bass)
Alison Ashcroft-Gent (Flute)
Marian Dutton (Violin and cello)
Amy Bartle (Trombone)