music
Department Information
Music Staff
Full time Staff
Mrs M. Donnelly
Miss U. Murphy Miss N. Johnston
Mr G. Schmidt
Mr R. Stokes
Director of Music
Assistant Director of Music, Orchestra
Music Administrator ([email protected])
Head of Strings, String Orchestra
Music IT, Teacher of Piano and Flute
Part time Peripatetic Staff
Piano Harp
Miss J. Fisher (& Singing)
Ms P. Popa
Mr R. Gurvits
Mrs S. Hadzic
Mrs N. Nokes
StringsGuitar
Ms S. Parfitt - Violin & Viola
Mr S. Hickey
Ms S. Davis - Cello
Ms E. Kotzia
WoodwindPercussion
Mr D. Evans - Flute
Mr A. Martin
Miss J. Ha - Flute
Mrs E. Walker - Flute & Recorder
Ms C. Philpot - Oboe
Mrs T. Diakow - Clarinet & Saxophone
Singing
Mrs J. Rhind - Clarinet & Saxophone
Miss J. Fisher (& Piano)
Ms J. Staniforth - Bassoon
Miss J. Rendell (& Gospel Choir)
Ms E. Murphy - Recorder
Miss Z. Turner
Brass Grade 5 Music Theory
Mr R. Jacob
Classes are available as an
extracurricular activity.
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What we offer:
We strive for the very best atmosphere that will stimulate good teaching
and learning. We give every girl the opportunity to develop her musical
skills by providing diverse and stimulating learning experiences practically,
creatively and academically. We achieve this through:
1. A varied and stimulating programme of work in the lower school
with opportunities for independent learning including individual and
group work, music technology and traditional class activities.
2. Vigorous preparation for GCSE, AS and A2 level work
3. An extensive extracurricular programme throughout the school,
catering for all ages and abilities. Occasional Masterclasses and other
visits from professional musicians.
4. Individual instrumental lessons (by request) on a wide range of
instruments.
5. Performing in Concerts, Recitals, Livery Company events, joint
productions with CLS*, Assemblies, other school and community
events (formal and informal) and music tours abroad.
6. Encouraging our Gifted and Talented musicians to further develop
their skills by auditioning for Junior Music Colleges and Holiday
Courses.
7. Following the success of our Old Girls through their careers.
*Recent joint productions have included Mozart’s Requiem, Finzi’s “Lo,
the full, final sacrifice”, Handel’s Coronation Anthems and the musicals,
“Guys & Dolls” and “Grease”
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Individual Music Lessons
We have over twenty peripatetic staff who teach a very wide range of
instruments. To request lessons, please contact the Music Administrator
stating which instrument is required. If there are spaces available, lessons
can begin immediately, otherwise girls will be a placed on a waiting list.
Thirty lessons are delivered, per instrument, over the school year with
each lesson lasting for thirty-five minutes. To stop lessons, parents should
inform the Music Administrator who will terminate the lessons from the
end of each half-term. Lessons are billed separately and are added to the
termly account. Please note that the school has a policy that girls should
be taught each instrument by only one teacher. Having a teacher in school
and a different teacher out of school is confusing to students.
For girls up to Year 9, lessons are delivered on a rotating timetable to
ensure that girls miss different curriculum lessons each week. Girls are
informed when their next lesson will take place and the teacher will write
this in their homework diaries. Most teachers provide a timetable for the
whole term in advance. However, we do ask the girls to be very careful in
checking the times of each lesson. Girls in Year 3 and 4 are collected by the
staff for their lessons and returned to the Prep Department afterwards.
If a teacher is away then he/she will make up the lesson. If a girl is
absent, her instrumental teacher will inform a parent by email and the
lesson is usually forfeited as it is often difficult to reschedule. The Music
Administrator should be contacted if there are any concerns regarding
lesson arrangements. We have a waiting list for some instruments,
particularly singing, so it is important that we know if your daughter is
having any difficulties.
We do not offer individual singing lessons to younger girls for physiological
reasons and would only recommend them applying when entering into
Year 8. There are plenty of opportunities for them to sing in class, choirs,
assemblies and in concerts.
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We offer graded music exams to girls and host the Associated Board
exams in school each term. These exams are at the request of the teacher
and require parental consent. There is no pressure put upon the girls to
take exams and we understand that some girls will not want to take them.
However, most of the girls who enter do very well and enjoy receiving
formal recognition of their progress.
Image: © Clive Totman
If girls would like to start learning an instrument, but are unsure which
one, we also offer taster lessons. These can be arranged at the beginning
of term by contacting the Music Administrator. Girls are expected to own
their own instruments, but there are a limited number of instruments
available to hire (for a maximum of one term only) for beginners. Girls
can also store their instruments in school during the day by speaking to
any of the Music Staff. Please contact the Music Administrator for further
information.
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Concerts and Performances
There are many opportunities to perform at City in both formal and
informal events as well as at School Assemblies. Girls who learn outside
school are always welcome into any musical activity. However, we do
expect regular attendance and a real commitment, which is why we are
able to perform some very challenging repertoire. Our regular musical
events are listed below.
Autumn Term
Scholars’ Concerts : the Junior and Senior Scholars’ Concerts are the
first opportunity for us to hear our outstanding musicians perform.
Musical / Autumn Concert : these events alternate each year. The
musical is always a joint event with the City of London School.
Musician of the Year Competition : for years 6 - 13, with external
adjudicators.
Prep Concert : a variety of choral, orchestral and dramatic repertoire.
Junior and Senior Carol Services : these are held in St.Giles, Cripplegate.
The Prep, Junior and Senior choirs are all involved.
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Spring Term
Sing and Swing Concert : the Swing Band, Jazz Groups and individual
performers provide an evening’s entertainment in an informal setting.
Prep Concert : the Orchestra, both Prep Choirs, quartets and recorder
groups perform along with individual items.
Year 7 Concert : a popular concert which gives Year 7 the opportunity
to shine. After the interval, the whole year group sing as a joint choir.
Joint Concert with CLS : each March, we join forces with the boys’
school to put on larger scale works for mixed choir and orchestra.
Inter-house Competition : The four houses compete against each
other in a rousing end-of-term music competition.
Summer Term
Leavers’ Concert : this is the last chance to hear our older girls perform
at City. After an informal first half, the orchestra often accompanies
soloists in concerto movements.
Junior Concert : involving Years 8 - 9, with solo and ensemble items.
Prep Opera : a large-scale presentation for all girls in Years 3 - 6.
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Awards and Scholarships
There are over thirty scholarships available for talented musicians. Most
have strict criteria for assessment. Please see below for details.
Girls who are successful in obtaining a scholarship are required to:
• contribute fully to the life of the music department
• participate in the orchestra/choir as appropriate
• perform at the Scholars’ Concert
It is also recommended that girls take Music GCSE and/or AS/A2
Courses at school. Scholarships are reviewed from time to time and can
be removed if students do not fulfil the requirements or do not progress
adequately on their main instrument.
CLSG and JGSMD (Junior Guildhall School of Music and
Drama) Joint Scholarships
We welcome applications from existing CLSG students and new
admissions for these highly prestigious and valuable awards. Two
scholarships are available each year, one for Years 9 - 11 and the
second for Years 12 - 13. Both Scholarships are awarded for two years.
Candidates have two auditions which take place in November. The first
is held at the school before a joint panel of adjudicators from CLSG: the
second takes place shortly afterwards at JGSMD. It is a requirement of
the scholarship that instrumental lessons will be taken at JGSMD. Please
contact the Director of Music for further details.
Corporation Music Scholarships (Year 7 music awards)
These last for five years and are reviewed for the 6th Form. There are
several available for students entering into Year 7. After girls have passed
their entrance examination, those who wish to apply and who fulfil the
necessary criteria will be invited to audition before a music panel. These
auditions usually take place in February. Details are as follows:
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1. The audition will last approximately thirty minutes which will include time for warming up.
2. Girls will be required to play two pieces at a minimum level of Grade
5 standard. This can be either two pieces on one instrument, or
one piece on each of the offered instruments. The total playing time
should not exceed eight minutes.
3. Candidates will also be required to respond to aural tests and sight
reading which will be approximately Grade 5 Associated Board
standard.
4. There will follow a short interview with a panel of Music Staff.
5. We will provide accompanists but girls can bring their own if
preferred.
6. Any information given to support the application would be helpful,
eg. copies of music certificates or mark sheets, references from a
music teacher, etc. Candidates will not be penalised if they have not
taken music exams. However, if this is the case, a letter to support
the level of achievement is very important.
Worshipful Company of Founders Awards
Last for two years (£250 per annum). Two are awarded each year to girls
in the 6th Form who have demonstrated service and commitment to
music in the school.
Worshipful Company of Needlemakers Choral Award
Lasts for one year (£500). Available to girls from Years 8 and 9 who are
committed singers in the Junior Choir.
Worshipful Company of Poulters Award
Available to girls from Year 7 to 13 (pays for individual music tuition).
Only one is available and stays with the girl until she leaves.
Harriet Pottle Award for Music
Available to girls from Year 7 to 13 (£250 per annum).
Only one is available and stays with the girl until she leaves.
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Andrews Award
For musical performance in the 6th form (£250 per annum).
6th Form Music Scholarships
Details are available on the school website or from the Admissions Officer.
The Friends Music Bursary
One Bursary is available to girls either at 11+ or 16+ or who are already in
the school (£1000 per annum). One is available for school life.
The MacLagan Music Scholarship
Image © Clive Totman
One Scholarship is available on entry to the school at 11+ or 16+. Up to
£1500 per annum for school life.
It is a requirement that music scholars participate in at least two extracurricular
activities each week. The timetable is extensive and varied and we require full
attendance and commitment to all rehearsals. Many teachers also run their
own ensembles with students at breaks, lunchtimes or after school which
girls are invited to attend. In addition, Grade 5 Theory classes and Aural test
practice sessions are available to girls who wish to follow the Associated
Board syllabuses.
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Grade 5 Theory
(Beginners Class)
Junior Choir
(Years 7 - 8)
Synchronicity
(Training Orchestra)
Grade 5 Theory
(Exam Class)
Junior Brass Ensemble
(Grades 1 - 3)
Senior Flute Group
Grade 5 Theory
(Intermediate Class)
Barbershop Group
(Years 9 - 11)
Aural Tests
(Grades 7 & 8)
Sen. Clarinet Quartet
Aural Tests
(Grades 3 & 4)
Aural Tests
(Grades 1 & 2)
Junior Flute Group
Jazz Group
Aural Tests
(Grades 5 & 6)
Saxophone Quartet
Grade 5 Theory
(Exam Class)
Cello Ensemble
(All Years)
Senior Prep Choir
Recorder Ensemble
(Grade 4 and above)
Guitar Ensemble
Brass Ensemble
Madrigal Group
(Years 11 - 13)
Junior Prep Choir
12:50 pm
Senior & Junior
Prep Orchestra
(During Period 2)
String Orchestra
(Grades 6 +)
Swing Band
(All Years)
Gospel Choir (All)
Junior Orchestra
(Years 7 - 9)
1:20 pm
Senior Orchestra
(Years 10 - 13)
Senior Choir
(Years 9 - 13)
4:00 pm
Other extracurricular music groups and chamber ensembles (such as String Quartets) are arranged by the Music Staff.
Friday
Thursday
Wednesday
Tuesday
Monday
8:35 am
8:15 am
Extracurricular Timetable
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