Music Department Summary

The Music Department is an active department housed in its own, purpose-built Music School. There is one large room which doubles as a big rehearsal studio, concert hall and the main teaching room. It is equipped with digital recording equipment. A second teaching room is equipped with electric keyboards and computers running Sibelius – the state-of-the-art music software. There are six small practice rooms used for Instrumental Tuition and a store room for instruments.

Music is taught as part of the curriculum in the Lower School, with a focus on the rudiments of how music is written and performed. Listening focuses on a number of pieces of programme music (music which tells a story, or draws a “picture” using sound. Composing using percussion instruments and keyboards leads to performances of the boys’ own music.

Music then becomes an option which may be taken as a GCSE. A regular number of boys are successful. It is also available as an A-level, which attracts a small but steady number of candidates. The new specifications are exciting and flexible. Boys take an academic course, which includes historical context and analytical work as well as composition and performance.

Outside the classroom, Music is very much a part of School life, with many boys taking Instrumental Tuition in School (as well as numerous others learning an instrument privately). There are several visiting music teachers who, between them, teach the whole range of orchestral and band instruments, as well as piano, organ, guitar and singing.

In addition there are various ensembles catering for different standards of playing, most notable at the highest level being the Concert Band, and the Swing Band. There is a Junior Choir as well as a new group of Senior Singers, called Wolfie’s Gang. In addition there is a String Group, senior woodwind quintet, 5 other woodwind groups, 3 brass groups, and other groups formed ad hoc to give boys the chance of playing together. From time to time a large choral society joins forces with local adult choirs and performs large scale works in the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

Philharmonic Hall, March 2010

The School has raised a lot of money for the Alder Hey Hospital Rocking Horse Appeal, and Claire House Hospice at the Family Carol Concerts in the Philharmonic Hall. Other charities supported have included Zoe’s Place – Liverpool’s Baby Hospice, and the Wooden Spoon Society.

There are a number of concerts each year, giving boys the chance to perform together, and offering an opportunity for many soloists to play in public. There is a music competition in the spring term.

As well as the team of visiting instrumental teachers, there are two full time musicians: Director of Music is David Holroyd. Ian Crawford, as the newly appointed Assistant Director, isalready engaged in several exciting ventures – the strings plus group, theory classes and plans afoot for a Year 8 Practic-athon in aid of a children's cancer charity.

Another recent innovation is highly subsidized instrumental tuition for Year 7 boys, with boys learning in groups of 3. Parents pay a very nominal amount towards the tuition, and the School provides the instruments.

Music Department Summary

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