Music
"Music is a strength of the school" - Ofsted 2022
The music department is truly exceptional, both in our academic achievements and our extra-curricular programme. It is a buzzing and exciting place to be and there is never a quiet moment (quite literally!).
Download the latest edition of the 'Music Matters' newsletter:
Music in the Curriculum
Our aim is to provide all pupils with a comprehensive music education, a solid grounding for further study and an appreciation of a wide range of musical styles.
We also believe that music is a powerful tool in young people’s lives and we love to watch them grow into confident, creative, courageous individuals.
Pupils study music for one hour each week in Years 7–9 and are given opportunities to develop their performance, composition and listening skills. Pupils can then choose to continue to GCSE in Year 10 or as an accelerated learning early entry course for advanced musicians in Years 9 and 10. Music is also offered at A Level and many of our students go on to study music at higher education institutions. Recent leavers have taken up places at Oxford, Cambridge, Guildhall School of Music and Drama and The Royal Northern College of Music, alongside contemporary music colleges.
Music Development Plan 2024-2025
Calendar and Events
Musical Ensembles
Ensembles are open to students of all abilities and form the basis of our regular concerts, including those at school as well as prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, the Fairfield Halls, Wembley Arena and Disneyland Paris. We perform to the public on average once a week!
Here is the current Ensemble Timetable.
Ensemble music can be found on the Pupil Shared Google Drive. This link will lead you directly there if you are logged in with a student graveney.org account.
Click on the links below to hear some of our larger ensembles in action:
Instrumental and Vocal Tuition
Learning an instrument is an incredibly valuable experience and we offer high-quality tuition to support pupils in realising their musical potential.
We are very fortunate to have an outstanding team of peripatetic instrumental and vocal teachers with a wealth of professional and pedagogic experience.
Please click here for more information about instrumental tuition.
If you would like to sign up for lessons, please click here to complete an expression of interest form. Many instruments have a short waiting list, but we will be in touch to let you know when there is space in the timetable.
We require six weeks/half a term's written notice to cancel lessons, otherwise you will be liable for half a term's fees. Please click here to complete the cancellation form.
Lessons are scheduled using Involve Education (formerly PracticePal). Please click here to see the letter that was sent home when we moved over to this system.
Assisted Purchase
We are able to offer a concessionary scheme whereby parents can obtain VAT relief on the purchase of a musical instrument for their child. Please click here for more information and an application form.
Music Scholarships
We are committed to developing the musical skills of every pupil at Graveney, however, we recognise that some exceptional musicians need further inspiration and encouragement to develop their talents.
Therefore, we offer music scholarships, starting with students in Year 7.
Please click the link below for more information about music scholarships:
Friends and Supporters
We have been asked on many occasions how parents, friends and supporters of the Graveney Music Department can help support students at the school. If you feel that you would like to contribute any further there are a number of ways in which you can get involved.
The school subsidises instrumental lessons and helps enormously with what we do. We also use proceeds from concerts towards the costs of the extra-curricular programme.
If you sign up to be a Graveney Music Friend or Supporter, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful financial contribution to directly support the work of the Music Department. Whether you are able to make a one-off contribution or can give regularly, we are able to reclaim Gift Aid on every contribution you make as part of the friends scheme, no matter how small.
Please consider signing up, even if you aren't able to make a financial contribution, as there are many other ways in which you can support at Music Department events.
Friends are eligible for a number of benefits, including invitation to special events, reserved seating at concerts, and names in programmes (optional).
Click HERE to sign up to be a Music Friend
Here are some of the ways in which your money could be spent:
| Assist with costs of reeds, strings and music for students with limited financial means | £5-20 |
| Purchase/hire of music for small ensembles / choirs | £30-100 |
| Instrument service/repair | £60-£400 |
| Purchase/hire of one piece of orchestral music for rehearsal and performance | £80-£200 |
| Costs of live musicians to perform A level composers' compositions | £150-£900 |
| Annual cost of all department piano tuning | £1200 |
|
Purchase of more expensive orchestral instruments for student use - recent examples include an oboe and baritone saxophone |
£1200-£8000 |
In the future we'd hope to consider offering some of the following:
| Provide more extensive instrumental lesson bursaries to students in need | £160 a term |
| Provide financial assistance to students that may be prevented from attending residential trips | £200 |
| Purchase of more expensive orchestral instruments, eg. bass drum, orchestral xylophone, harp, double bass | £400+ |
| Hire of an external concert hall space to present concerts with greater audience capacity and comfort | £2000-£7000 |
| Enhance and expand the accommodation and facilities of the Music Department | £+ |
Click HERE to sign up to be a Music Friend
Contact Us
You can phone us on 020 8682 7031.
If your query is related to Instrumental/Vocal lessons, please contact Ms Pearson.
For general enquiries, please email Ms King (Head of Music).