Junior
School programme I DISCOVERY YEARS 5-9
In the Junior School, every student is offered the chance to learn an orchestral instrument. They also have the opportunity to learn an additional instrument, which half of them choose to do. Each student has a 25-minute lesson once a week and an evening practice session for half an hour.
In addition, they have a weekly curricular music lesson, which focuses on singing, learning to read music and the application of the musical elements through composition and improvisation. Small class sizes mean every student gets the attention they need to make progress and fulfill their own potential.
Students also have a weekly whole-school singing session on a Friday morning, which is used as preparation for the singing in Junior Chapel services and school concerts. The final piece of their music jigsaw is the weekly instrumental ensembles, which gives students the chance to experience the joy of making music together.
The goal at this age is to lay the right foundations: to stretch and inspire students, so that they are able to develop the technical skills and passion needed to continue on their musical journey, in whatever form that might take.
Senior School programme I EXPLORATION YEARS 10-11 AND DIPLOMA YEARS 12-13
Senior School students have the opportunity to continue the interests they developed in the Junior School, but through the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and International Baccalaureate (IB) music programmes.
At this point, curricular music becomes optional. However, it remains a popular choice. For those who are interested in achieving a higher level of competence, private music lessons with dedicated peripatetic teachers are offered each week, and bespoke timetables ensure that music lessons fit seamlessly into students’ school days.
For students who have chosen music as part of their curriculum, their schedule is packed with various events, musical activities, concerts, competitions, and trips. Additionally, even for those who no longer have music as their academic focus but still have a passion for it, they have access to excellent music opportunities outside of their curriculum.
of Aiglon students take at least one music lesson each week 57% of junior students are learning more than one instrument +50%
Visiting artists and musical school trips
Our location in Switzerland, which hosts musical events of international renown, means students have the opportunity to attend local music festivals. Students are also able to take part in musical trips abroad, with visits to world-leading music venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, which is a feature of our annual London, UK, music trip.
Closer to home, we have welcomed many eminent performing artists on campus, allowing students to be inspired and learn from masters of their craft.
Our programme of visiting musicians and school trips is designed to broaden students’ overall artistic appreciation and experience, and to inspire them to push their own creative boundaries. performance opportunities per year 45+ music lessons are taught each week 280+
“What we really want is for every Aiglonian to find something in music that resonates with them and brings them joy and fulfillment”.
Tom Dobney Head of Creative Arts Faculty and Head of Music
Putting it all into practice
At both the Junior School and Senior School levels, students get ample opportunities to put into practice everything they are learning and showcase their musical skills. This includes playing concertos, participating in recital competitions, performing at weekly school assemblies, collaborating with other art forms like dance and drama, or joining different music ensembles like jazz and rock bands. These opportunities often involve the local community and neighbouring schools.
These shows, concerts, performances and recitals create seminal moments that cement students’ passion for music, leading to a lifelong interest in the subject. They also provide an opportunity for them to showcase their creativity and foster a sense of a supportive artistic community where every contribution is valued.
Music at Aiglon: Something for everybody
Music is often referred to as the universal language of humankind. That’s a philosophy we embrace at Aiglon, and our music programme is set up in a way that everyone will find something that appeals to them.
For one student, that might mean fronting a band at the annual Aiglon Rocks concert, our most technically challenging gig. For another, that could mean taking part in one of our twice-yearly piano recitals or our annual school musical. We have students who are aspiring classical violinists and others who are DJs with tens of thousands of monthly listens on streaming platforms. Many students are encouraged to sit the The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) or Rockschool Limited (RSL) examination, ensuring their hard work is recognised; for others, music will be a passion they pursue outside the classroom.
Our curriculum reflects this diversity, and is as varied as our students’ interests, combining the traditional with the cutting-edge. At the same time as students are learning how to read sheet music, they are working in recording studios with tools like GarageBand and Logic Pro.
Ultimately, the goal is that every student will connect with some element of music, so they can reap the many benefits it brings to the mind, body and spirit.
“We try to discover how our students connect with music from their perspective. We encourage them, as young musicians, to develop their individual potential and have high personal expectations. This raises their game and can lead to a great sense of achievement and purpose.”
Jane Trainer, Music teacher
AIGLON COLLEGE AVENUE CENTRALE 61 1885 CHESIÈRES SWITZERLAND +41 24 496 61 77 admissions@aiglon.ch www.aiglon.ch/music
