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Music |
Music and singing allow children to develop confidence and self-expression, and as such play an important part in life at Thorngrove. Two full time Music teachers work at the school and 9 part-timers.
In their twice weekly class Music lessons, the children sing, play percussion, listen to music and compose. Music notation and theory are also covered. From Form 4 (Year 3) upwards all children have a group singing lesson, and a hymn or song is sung in assembly every day.
Most children learn at least one instrument at school, or have individual singing lessons, and between 20 and 40 children are entered for an Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music examination each term. These exams take place at school. Children can also take theory and composition lessons individually.
At present the groups which are run are Junior Strings (10 children), Senior Strings (10 children), Junior Choir (64 children), Senior Choir (70 children), Orchestra (30 children) and Senior Instrumental Ensemble (10 children). The children are encouraged to perform as much as possible and have many opportunities to do so: in assembly, in termly school concerts, in local music festivals and in the carol services at Christmas: one for the Lower School, one for the Upper School and one combined with other local schools.
The school also hosts its own Music Festival each Spring, at which visiting experts adjudicate and certificates and trophies are awarded.
Other recent events include our own Pop Idol competition, a lunchtime concert for the Newbury branch of the Alzheimer's Society and carolling outside Sainsbury's for charity. Concert trips also take place.
The Thorngrove musical year culminates in the outdoor 'Summer Concert with Fireworks'. This year 110 children performed on the outdoor stage at once!
Thorngrove is proud to count the pursuit of music as one of its traditions, and the children are encouraged, through the busy musical life of the school, to enjoy including music in their daily lives. A welcome bonus of this is that 32 Music scholarships to senior schools have been won in the past 10 years. |
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