Music
L O W E R S C H O O L
First, Second and Third Year
Music is an inclusive subject in the Lower School, and the emphasis is on developing practical skills in a fun and friendly atmosphere. This is underpinned by a solid understanding of music theory From Third Year, Music becomes an option subject and this is reflected in a more structured approach to listening, performing, composing, theory and the use of music technology We use Dorico Pro and Cubase software for composition from the Third Year up to A Level, and we run the latest versions of these applications in our Computer Suite.
GCSE
Fourth and Fifth Year
We follow the Cambridge IGCSE specification and students develop skills of solo and ensemble performing, composing in contrasting styles, and listening and essay writing. They study a range of different musical periods and genres from Baroque to the present day and learn about a diverse mix of music from around the world Coursework comprises two performances (solo and ensemble) and two compositions There is a written paper in June of the final year which includes listening and analysis questions.
A LEVEL
Lower and Upper Sixth
We follow the AQA syllabus at A Level. For their final recording students need to prepare a performance of 10-15 minutes, approximately at Grade 7 standard Students also produce two contrasting compositions, and they sit a written paper comprising listening and essay questions based on the set works of the course The set works are taken from the compulsory classical area of study, and of two further areas of study (such as Popular Music, Jazz, or Art Music since 1910).
Co-curricular
There are many opportunities for instrumentalists to join a group as soon as they become reasonably proficient They include, amongst others: Symphony Orchestra, First Orchestra, Woodwind Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra, Popular Music bands, with separate groups for guitar, flute and brass We are lucky to have a number of talented musicians across the year groups in addition to our Music Scholars These musicians form the core of our smaller ensembles, and many of them play in regional or national orchestras and receive tuition at the junior departments of the conservatoires
Concerts
Regular concerts ranging from small informal gatherings to large endof-term events are given during the school year, at which students of all abilities have the chance to perform, both individually and in groups. Our main concerts are:
Autumn Concert featuring our main instrumental groups, ensembles and choirs including performance from the whole of the First Year.
Spring Concert featuring our all of our main ensemble, choirs and chamber music groups.
Spring Choral Society Concert at an outside venue, featuring KGS students joining forces with the KGS Choral Society to present a large-scale work.
Jazz and contemporary music night. In recent years we have welcomed The Maggini Quartet, Roderick Williams, Voces8, The Josephine Davies Quartet, Lincoln Abbotts and the Michael Janisch Band to KGS. They have not only performed memorable concerts but let some inspiring workshops for our students.
Summer term House Music Competition.
Instrumental Lessons
All orchestral instruments – as well as theory, saxophone, piano, classical/acoustic/electric/bass guitar, music technology, singing – are offered at KGS by 22 experienced visiting music teachers, and many instruments are available for hire
Choirs
Choral singing flourishes at KGS and regular groups include the Senior Choir, Senior Chamber Choir, Third Year Choir, Junior Choir and Junior Chamber Choir in addition to a number of smaller and more ad hoc ensembles, such as close harmony, run by the students.
Trips
In addition to the busy musical life at School, there are regular trips to concerts and operas in London as well as tours abroad. The School Choir have, in recent times, toured Salzburg, Rome and Venice, and previous highlights have included visits to Germany, Spain, Malta, The Czech Republic and France.
The Choral Society
The KGS Choral Society, founded in 1981, consists of students, parents and friends of KGS, and meets in the Spring term each year. Since its foundation, it has performed a number of works from the choral repertoire including Verdi’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah and Haydn’s Creation.
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