Music at Eltham College
Jazz Night, Eltham College, March 2024
Welcome from the Director of Music
Music is immensely important at Eltham College, and I am proud to say that we are now one of the most musical schools in the country, in terms of the percentage of students learning a musical instrument. More than 650 1-1 music lessons and rehearsals of 50 large-and small-scale ensembles take place weekly.
The Music Department hosts more than 60 concerts and events each year across the Senior and Junior Schools, and many hundreds of students perform as soloists or within ensembles over the course of any academic year.
We are a busy Department and we celebrate and promote all music-making, from students making their solo debut in an Informal Concert, to performing a solo concerto movement with our Symphony Orchestra at an external concert hall.
This booklet gives an overview of Music at Eltham College. In it, you will find information about our music staff, instrumental lessons, extensive ensemble schedule, links to our current Music Calendars and how to keep in contact.
It is a true privilege to be at the helm of a Music Department that is genuinely thriving, and that has so many students coming through its doors every day. Whether you are already a part of what we do, or are looking to be in the future, I really hope that the following pages are informative and inspiring.
Sebastian Johns Director of Music
Music staff
Mr Sebastian Johns Director of Music
Ms Elizabeth Potter Hicks Head of Academic Music
Ms Abigail Bryans Teacher of Music
Mrs Judith Lewis Music Administrator
Mr Mark Alexander Head of Junior School Music
Mr Daniel Baker Graduate Music Assistant
Heads of Section
Miss Diana Bailey Head of Woodwind
Ms Janneke Brits Head of Keyboard
Mr Tom Bullard Head of Singing
Mr Chris Nall Head of Percussion
Ms Jessica O'Leary Head of Strings
Mr Steve Thompson Head of Brass
Music Staff
Jazz Night, Eltham College, March 2024
1-1 music lessons
Nearly two thirds of all students at Eltham College learn at least one instrument, and we have an extensive team of instrumental and vocal teachers who deliver over 650 individual lessons every week. These lessons take place throughout the school day; students in Year 3-11 have their lessons timetabled on a wide rotation, and students in the Sixth Form have their lessons scheduled within free periods.
The idea of missing academic time for music lessons is something that can worry some parents or students, but we have done extensive research on the academic results of musicians at Eltham, the results of which should reassure them. The data reveals that students who have 1-1 music lessons achieve higher GCSE grades compared to those who do not. Musical students achieved 0.48 of a grade on average across all subjects in 2022, and 0.49 in 2023. There are of course many reasons for this, which will differ for every child, but it is clear that learning an instrument within school time does not negatively impact academic results.
Signing up for 1-1 music lessons at Eltham College could not be easier. Simply head to the Music section of the school’s website, and click on the ‘1-1 music lesson application form’ link. This will take you to an online form where you can express your instrument choice (including voice) and also give us some information on the specific style of music/teaching that would suit your child best; this will allow us to pair them with the most suitable teacher.
You will also find our Service Standards & Commitments document, to read and sign before applying for lessons, as well as an instrumental hire form if needed.
If you have any questions about this process, please contact our Music Administrator, Mrs Lewis, on music@eltham-college.org.uk
Ensembles & choirs Senior School
We have a huge number of large-and small-scale ensembles here at Eltham College, and all students are encouraged to be a part of this programme, and to join any number. Our core aim is that there is at least one suitable ensemble for every single student at Eltham College, whatever their instrument, grade or experience level. In general, students are invited to join these groups at the start of the year, following conversations between the Director of Music and the Heads of Section.
Students are very welcome to ask to be in new ensembles; all they need to do is to come and speak to Mr Johns, Director of Music. Information on our ensembles, and the instruments/students/grade level at which they are targeted, can be found to the right.
NB: pupils learning an instrument outside of Eltham College are equally welcome to be in our ensembles! Please contact the Music Department to make sure that your son/daughter is on our lists so that we can suggest suitable groups.
Orchestral/Symphonic
Eltham College Symphony Orchestra
Eltham's flagship instrumental ensemble; orchestral musicians Grade 7+
Concert Band
Large-scale Grade 6+ Woodwind, Brass & Percussion ensemble
Sinfonia An advanced string ensemble; Grades 6+
Philharmonia
Symphonic Winds
Eltham's '2nd Orchestra'; orchestral musicians Grades 3-6
Eltham's '2nd Concert Band'; Woodwind, Brass & Percussion players Grades 2-5
EC Musicians’ Collective A mixed ensemble for any musicians Grade 0-3
Jazz
Big Band
Jazz Combo
Cool Jazz
Dixieland Band
Vocal/Choral
Chamber Choir
Eltham's principal Jazz ensemble; jazz musicians Grade 5+
A smaller jazz ensemble for a number of our most experienced jazz musicians
Eltham's '2nd Big Band'Grades 2-5
A varied, small-scale ensemble looking at early Jazz music
Other Instrumental
Eltham Brass
Brass Bonanza
Platinum Players
Silver Sonics
Liquorice Sticks
Renaissance Reeds
Presti Guitar Ensemble
Bream Guitar Ensemble
Stick Attack
Advanced brass ensemble; selected by Head of Brass
Intermediate brass ensemble; Grades 2-6
Advanced flute ensemble; Grade 7+
Intermediate flute ensemble; Grades 2-6
Clarinet ensemble; selected by Head of Woodwind
Small-scale ensemble for oboe and bassoon players
Advanced classical guitar ensemble; Grade 7+
Intermediate classical guitar ensemble; Grades 2-6
Advanced percussion ensemble; selected by Head of Percussion
Slick Sticks Intermediate percussion ensemble; Grades 2-6
Saxophone Quartet
College Choir
Eltham's advanced choral ensemble, performing regularly in concerts and services throughout the year, including external cathedral visits (c20 singers from Years 9-13)
Our largest choral ensemble (non-auditioned), for any pupil who would like to sing in our biggest concerts (e.g. Blackheath Halls and ECCO)
VOCE An auditioned a cappella ensemble for pupils in Year 10 and above
Young Voices An auditioned choir for Years 7-8
EPH Vocals
A non-auditioned vocal group for pupils in Years 7-9, performing a range of contemporary music and arrangements
Advanced saxophone quartet; Grade 7+
Saxmania Intermediate saxophone ensemble; Grades 2-6
Contemporary
Rock School
Music Tech Workshops
An open group for anyone who wants to experience performing in a band
Open sessions for any pupil wanting to learn about recording, music engineering, and sound production
Additional Bands
The Music Department also supports a number of pupil-led rock bands, and we are always happy to facilitate more groups!
Chamber Music
The Music Department also runs a number of chamber music ensembles (e.g. String Quartets, Wind Quintets, Piano Duets etc) that rehearse on a project basis throughout the year. This also includes the Elite Chamber Music Programme which takes place every Thursday after school. These groups are by invitation from the Director of Music, in consultation with the Heads of Section.
Jazz Night, Eltham College, March 2024
Keeping in touch & calendar Senior School
How to keep in contact
If you every have any questions about anything to do with Music at Eltham College, the first port of call is our Music Administrator, Mrs Lewis; she can be reached on music@eltham-college.org.uk
The Music Department maintains a regular presence on X/Twitter, and you can follow us on @ElthamMusic. If you would like to contact the Director of Music directly, Mr Johns’ email address is saj@eltham-college.org.uk
All of our communication regarding concerts and events goes out via ElthamPost; this includes information about concerts and which pupils/ ensembles are performing, upcoming events, and any one-off rehearsals etc.
NB: our Visiting Music Teachers communicate directly with parents concerning anything to do with 1-1 lessons.
Music calendar
As you might expect, a Music Department of this size runs a very busy schedule of concerts and events throughout the year.
Full information on our concert schedule can be found in our Concerts Calendar, available on the Music page of the school website.
Choral & Orchestral Concert, Blackheaths Halls, March 2024
Welcome from the Head of Junior School Music Music in the Junior School
Welcome to the Junior School Music Department, a thriving part of the daily life of Eltham College Junior School. At any time of the day you will hear music coming from our seven practice rooms, music-making from the main teaching room or the main School Hall. We offer 1-1 tuition on a wide range of instruments, taught by a team of visiting music teachers. We have ensembles and choirs where students can experience the joy of music-making in groups, and we offer a range of opportunities to perform for all of our students from beginners to more experienced musicians. All of these opportunities are open to students whether they have lessons at School or privately. Many students sit practical external examinations with ABRSM and Trinity Guildhall as part of their musical journey through the Junior and Senior Schools each term too.
Music Alive is our programme which introduces students to learn an instrument that they have never tried before, or helps those who would like to learn an instrument for the very first time. In Year 3, students are offered the chance to have a series of free lessons (with free instrument hire) on a stringed instrument; in Year 4, students are offered the same programme on a woodwind or brass instrument.
The Junior School Music Department is a very busy Department, and one which continues to grow. Over 300 1-1 music lessons take place each week across our Junior School and our ensembles programme rivals many local senior schools in its breadth and depth. Our Department is one we are very proud of!
Mark Alexander Head of Junior
School Music
Choral & Orchestral Concert, Blackheaths Halls, March 2024
Ensembles & choirs Junior School
Year 3 Choir
Year 4 Choir
Year 5 and 6 Choir
Wind Ensemble
Music Alive Wind Ensemble
Groovy Toons
Flutie Toots
Strings
Music Alive Year 3 and 4 Strings
Year 5 and 6 Strings
Harp Ensemble
String Quartet/Quintet
Guitar Ensemble
JS Percussion Ensemble
Music Alive Brass Ensemble
Brass Ensemble
Jazz Improvisation Ensemble (also open to other instrumentalists)
Brass
Woodwind
Percussion
Choirs
Music Concert,
St Alfege’s Church, Greenwich London, November 2023
Keeping in touch & calendar Junior School
How to keep in contact:
If you every have any questions about anything to do with Music in the Junior School at Eltham College, you can contact the Head of Junior School, Mr Mark Alexander, on mka@eltham-college.org.uk , or our Music Administrator on music@eltham-college.org.uk
The Music Department, and the Junior School, maintain a regular presence on X/Twitter, and you can follow us on @ElthamMusic or @ElthamJuniors
All of our communication regarding concerts and events goes out via ElthamPost; this includes information about concerts and which pupils/ ensembles are performing, upcoming events, and any one-off rehearsals etc.
NB: our Visiting Music Teachers communicate directly with parents concerning anything to do with 1-1 lessons.
Music calendar
The Junior School runs its own programme of concerts and music events throughout the academic year.
Full information on our concert schedule can be found in our Concerts Calendar, available on the Music page of the school website.
Music Concert,
St Alfege’s Church, Greenwich London, November 2023
Gloria Filiorum Patres