Music
Why do so many students, parents and staff love Music at Montpelier High School? We have a vibrant music curriculum, a fantastic range of instrumental groups and choirs, tailor-made individual music lessons and exciting opportunities to perform in school and in major venues around the city and beyond. Music is delivered by highly- qualified and inspirational staff in a stunning Music Pavilion complete with spacious classrooms, a Music Technology suite and practice rooms, with a theatre in the neighbouring Arts Block.
What do our parents say? “Music is the heartbeat of the school.”
What do we say? “Read on to find out more and come along to see for yourself what makes Music at Montpelier High School so special.”
RESOURCES
- EduBandLab
- Sibelius
- Classroom and Own instruments
- Keyboards
- Ukuleles
- Guitars
- Eduqas GCSE Music Textbook
EXTRA CURRICULAR
- Big Noise – an everyone welcome orchestra
- Graceful Voices – an everyone welcome gospel choir
- Harmonious Youth Choir- an auditioned/ invited senior choir
- Year 7 Choir (term 1 only) - singing with performance opportunities, for all of Year 7 during enrichment
- Individual instrumental lessons (at a cost) in the following instruments: Brass, Woodwind, Piano, Singing, Drums, Guitar
OUR STUDENTS SAY:
“Music GCSE broadens my understanding and therefore my love for the music I play and listen to.” – Year 10 student
Instrumental Lessons
Instrumental lessons are available to MHS and V6 students in:
Voice, Piano
Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar
Woodwind: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone
Brass: French Horn, Cornet, Trumpet, Trombone
Drum kit
If you are a parent of a current student and would like your child to have instrumental lessons please complete the form here:
If you would prefer to print and complete a PAPER copy of this form .
Please return any paper copies to Miss Keen via pupil reception.
Years 7 - 9
YEAR 7
We focus on the key skills of listening and appraising, composing and performing. Topics include:
- Elements of Music
- Keyboard Skills
- Orchestral Families
- Keyboard Skills
- Sibelius Skills
Year 8
We focus on the key skills of listening and appraising, composing and performing. Topics include:
- Blues and Jazz
- Fusion Music
- Minimalism
Students continue to develop their music technology skills using Sibelius and BandLab in our Music Tech suite to compose. They use classroom instruments and singing for group work, composition and performance, where they are encouraged to work collaboratively. Fluency and confidence in performance are key targets.
Year 9
We focus on the key skills of listening and appraising, composing and performing. Topics include:
- Fanfare
- Film Music
- Reggae
- Pop Music
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Students continue to develop their music technology skills using Sibelius and CakeWalk in our Music Tech suite to compose using both audio and visual media. They use classroom instruments and singing for group work, composition and performance, where they are encouraged to work collaboratively. Fluency and confidence in improvisation are key targets.
Years 10 - 11
Year 10
We follow the Edexcel specification. In Year 10 topics include:
Listening and Appraising: Study of Set Works
- Mozart Eine Kleine Nachtmusik 3rd Movt
- Rainbow Since You’ve Been Gone
Year 11
We follow the Edexcel specification. In Year 11 topics include:
Listening and Appraising: Study of Set Works from Area of Study 1 (Western classical music 1600-1899)
- Handel ‘And the Glory of the Lord’ from Messiah
- Mozart Symphony no 40, 1st Movt
- Chopin Raindrop Prelude
Listening and Appraising: Study of Set Works from Area of Study 3 (Popular Music in context)
- Miles Davis All Blues
- Jeff Buckley Grace
- Moby Why does my heart feel so bad?
- Solo and ensemble performance
Listening and Appraising: Study of Set Works from Area of Study 2 (Music in the 20th century)
- Schönberg Peripetie from Five Orchestral Pieces
- Bernstein Something’s Coming from West Side Story
- Reich Electric Counterpoint
Listening and Appraising: Study of Set Works from Area of Study 4 (World Music)
- Capercaillie Skye Waulking Song
- Rag Desh
- Koko Yiri
- Solo and ensemble performance and recording
- Composition and Controlled Assessment 2
Controlled Assessment
- Solo Performance
- Ensemble Performance
- Minimalist Composition
- Free Composition
Sixth Form
Why study Music?
Please visit the V6 Sixth Form website for information about
