Music

 

Music is enjoyed and celebrated at Tower House School. Every effort is made to create a varied and dynamic curriculum that inspires boys to achieve their full potential and all of our children are taught Music as part of their curriculum. 

Music Curriculum

Music is taught in a spiral curriculum in which concepts such as rhythm and note reading are revisited as children progress through the school.

In Reception boys develop their awareness of pitch through a range of solfa songs. Rhythmic fluency and a sense of pulse are viewed as important musical skills and are constantly reinforced through Dalcroze eurhythmics movement games. 

In the Junior School boys develop their rhythmic, composition and listening skills through whole class activities:

  • In Year 1 children learn to play the recorder
  • In Year 2 boys learn to play the ocarina
  • In Year 3 boys take part in a wider opportunities string scheme and learn to play either the violin or cello

Children compose and improvise regularly using rhythms and their voices. Creativity is actively encouraged. Each class in the Junior School has a weekly singing lesson which at any one time may encourage good intonation, breath control, dynamic contrast and articulation. The Junior School also performs two productions a year and a class assembly.

In the Senior School boys in Years 4 to 8 study a wide and diverse range of schemes of work covering such topics as World music, Blues and Jazz, the works of Classical Composers, instruments of the Orchestra, theme and variation, music video composition and production and song writing.

  • In Year 4 boys study 10 classical pieces and learn to play and perform a range of pieces on the Boom-whackers
  • In Year 5 boys study the ukulele
  • In Year 6 boys study music from around the world including samba, Aboriginal music and African singing and drumming
  • In Year 7 there is an emphasis on studying the key elements of music in greater detail such as rhythm, pitch, texture and structure
  • In Year 8 boys work towards completing the Bronze Arts Award, which is a cross curricular project involving Music and Art, which aims to develop their independent and creative thinking
Performance opportunities

There are a vast array of concerts and recitals that take place throughout the year such as the Christmas concert,  Carol Service, Creative Arts Showcase and Summer Speech Day concert, House Music Competition, Soloist recitals and Music and Tea morning assemblies. Singers and instrumentalists are also invited to take part in annual music days at such senior schools such as Epsom College, Brighton College and Halliford School. Master classes with visiting professionals also take place and pupils are encouraged to perform to the community at local retirement centres and community events/halls. At Tower House School we identify those who may be gifted and talented and encourage them to take up a new instrument, join extra-curricular music activities such as the National Children's Choir of Great Britain and apply for music scholarships.

Music Ensembles

At Tower House school we offer a diverse range of extra-curricular ensembles:

  • Junior Choir
  • Senior Choir
  • Orchestra
  • Clarinet and Saxophone ensemble
  • Woodwind ensemble
  • Jazz band
  • Music Theory Clubs
  • Two Rock bands
  • Guitar Ensemble
  • Recorder Club
 

"In the classroom much of the work is practical, whether singing or learning how to play instruments, formal work or creating experimental compositions"