Music

Music Department - Mission Statement

Music is a subject for everyone. It is something we can all benefit from. Your health can be improved by singing, your confidence can be improved by performing and your ability to express yourself can be felt through composing. We listen to and analyse music to guide us in making decisions about the music we make and enjoy.  Our aim is for everyone to have access to music and the benefits and enjoyment it brings. We want to challenge you to achieve your best in whatever your chosen medium is and guide you towards careers in this country’s most successful industry.

Welcome to the Music Department! We are a thriving Department, offering music activities for all.

We offer individual instrumental lessons in a variety of styles, from orchestral instruments including rock guitar and bass; musical theatre vocal studies to classical and operatic styles.

We have a busy extra curricular programme of events – large in scale such as our Summer Music Festival ‘Cadence’ and our traditional Christmas concert in Cheltenham to smaller teatime concerts giving pupils the chance to learn to perform or perfect their exam pieces. We believe in encouraging all pupils of every musical taste to get involved and thrive.

Pupils study music as part of Performing Arts in Year 7. In Year 8 and 9 pupils study a variety of topics and skills. Throughout the three years in Key Stage 3, pupils learn piano, ukulele, singing and to use tuned and un-tuned percussion. Composition, listening and analysis are also a major part of curriculum allowing pupils to write their own music and understand the pieces of others. These skills all lead into supporting GCSE and A level.

Pupils are assessed on skills in the following areas: Composing, Listening, Appraising and Performing.

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Back in Black

The infamous school Jazz Band, Back in Black! The band is a classic Jazz ensemble line up of rhythm, section, brass and woodwind. They rehearse each Thursday after school, so they are prepared for performances at Cheltenham Jazz Festival in the first weekend of May, Condicote Jazz Night in July, school performances and any other performances in the community.

TCS 18 – Music – Jazz 006

Lunchtime music groups

Why not join one of our musical groups?

All our clubs are held in late lunch and start at 1.45pm or 2pm.

Click here for the timetable
TCS 18 – Music – Jazz 008

Instrumental Lessons available in School

We offer a variety of instruments to learn in school by a dedicated team of Peripatetic Music Teachers. We can offer lessons in:

Cello, Clarinet, Classical Guitar, Double Bass, Drum Kit, Electric Bass, Electronic Keyboard, Flute, Piano, Rock Guitar, Saxophone, Theory of Music, Trombone, Trumpet, Violin, Vocal Tuition

Lessons are £17.50 per 30 minute lesson and are taught during the school day. Lessons are timetabled on rotation, so pupils don’t miss the same lesson each week.

Click here to read about the music lessons we offer and apply for tuition
TCS 18 – Music – Orchestra 007

Concerts, Events and Trips

Our Christmas concerts are a lovely festive end to the term. We hold two concerts in the local area, usually at Bourton Church with a lower school emphasis and in Cheltenham with an upper school emphasis.

We hold three small tea time concerts in November, March and June at 5 pm in the Music Department. These concerts are an opportunity to perform in front of a small audience.

Our Spring concert features our musicians demonstrating what they are currently practicing. The Choir, Orchestra, Wind Group, String Group, Guitar groups and selected soloists perform at a local church.

Recent Productions have included Mary Poppins, Into the Woods, Billy Elliott and Sister Act.  We have also performed Beauty and the Beast and High School Musical.

Recent trips have included a Musical and Orchestral Concert in London. Previous music tours have been to Lake Garda and Norway.