MUSIC The academic study of music centres upon the disciplines of Appraising (Music History and Analysis), Performing, and Composing. The College Music Society actively promotes opportunities for music students to broaden their knowledge of the subject.
The Music department has a justly famous programme of co-curricular performance opportunities that serve to enhance the academic teaching of the department. All pupils are encouraged to take part in major concerts and a memorable performance of Britten’s War Requiem took place at the Royal Festival Hall in the Lent term 2018. Advanced players are given the opportunity to perform concerto movements with a full orchestra in their Sixth Form year. A series of music competitions, which take place throughout the year provide showcases for instrumental players and are adjudicated by leading professional musicians from outside the College: this year’s Bach Competition was adjudicated by Professor Stephen Darlington from Christ Church, Oxford. Other opportunities for performance include jazz concerts at The Hideaway in Streatham, the House Music Competitions (Instrumental, Part-song, Vocal, and Rock Competitions) and the series of Lunchtime Concerts given by College musicians at the College Chapel in association with Dulwich Picture Gallery.
Appraising (Music History and Analysis) To support the teaching of history and analysis, there is a programme of occasional academic seminars and, in addition, use is made of the College’s unique archive of books and eighteenth century music manuscripts. There are also regular opera trips and other concert visits during the academic year. In 2018 Mark Armstrong (Jazz Professor at the Royal College of Music and Artistic Director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra) gave a seminar to Sixth Form pupils about the use of modes when composing filmmusic. Performing The experience of great works in performance is a vital element in the study of historical style and compositional technique. ‘I joined the College in the Kindergarten and, for my parents, the one thing that set the school apart was its music. Through being a member of the choirs and the orchestras I have had the experience of performing in amazing venues around the world. As a GCSE and A level musician I have been able to study with Cecilia McDowall, an international composer, and I spend my free time in the Music Tech Rooms composing and arranging. For me, it was only when I started to visit universities on Open Days that I realised how good the music is and how lucky I have been.’ Max, Year 13
One-to-one coaching with Cecilia McDowall.
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