M U S I C
L E S S O N G U I D E
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Music is at the heart of Repton and resounds throughout the School. The Department is housed in an impressive building which features a purpose-built concert and rehearsal hall, a fully-equipped recording studio, 18 practice rooms, access to Sibelius, Ableton, Pro Tools and Soundtrap software and a variety of academic and instrumental teaching spaces
In 2022 the school invested in a new model B Steinway piano which, along with the model C piano purchased in 2016, reinforces the School's commitment to excellence in music-making The Senior School Music Department’s three fulltime members of music staff are joined by a team of 23 specialist Visiting Music Teachers who bring much energy and expertise to the pupils’ musical lives We present a huge variety of concerts and musical events throughout the year and aim - above all else - to ensure that musicians of all levels can perform to the best of their ability, having fun in the process.
The Music Department is a real community, and participation in ensembles is a great way for pupils to meet like-minded people from other houses Whether your child is a passionate musician or someone who wants to get involved in music for relaxation or fun with friends, it is my ambition to make music a memorable part of their time in this wonderful school.
Mrs Katie Staggs Director of Music
1 : 1 M U S I C L E S S O N S
All pupils at Repton are actively encouraged to have lessons on an instrument or voice It may be that this is a continuation of lessons taken at a previous school, or as a total beginner; everyone is very welcome. Music staff at Repton are always happy to speak to pupils or parents to discuss this. All enquiries about music lessons should be addressed in the first instance to music@reptonorguk
Lessons are available on the following instruments:
Piano (Classical and Jazz), Organ, Harpsichord, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Recorder, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone, Trumpet, Cornet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Orchestral Percussion, Drum Kit, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Singing, Music Tech
In some cases, the school is able to loan instruments to pupils on a trial basis. Please ask music staff for information.
M U S I C E X A M I N A T I O N S
While plenty of pupils who learn instruments will work through music exam grades, it is absolutely not a requirement that they should do so Whilst the most popular exam board for classical exams is the ABRSM exam board, we also a prepare pupils for Trinity College, Rock School and LAMDA exams
Currently, ABRSM and LAMDA exams take place in school. All exams are organised through the school, and the exam fee is added to the end-of-term bill
T H E O R Y , A U R
A L &
A C C O M P A N I M E N T S E S S I O N S
Taking music lessons in school is not simply about the weekly 40 minute individual lesson Pupils will also benefit from the following:
Free theory tuition in preparation for Grade 5 ABRSM and beyond
Free aural classes in the build-up to music exams
The provision of an accompanist free of charge for music exams in addition to rehearsals with the accompanist prior to the exam
Extra support with scales and sight-reading in the build-up to exams if required
The opportunity to perform as a soloist in concerts, workshops and masterclasses throughout the year
T I M E T A B L I N G
Music lessons take place weekly, and last for 40 minutes. Lessons are provided by specialist Visiting Music Teachers (VMTs) Additionally, Mr Roger Owens, Head of Instrumental Music teaches piano and is the School’s accompanist Lesson times are arranged through discussion with each pupil, and each VMT places their timetable on the noticeboard in the Music School Foyer. VMTs also email or Teams message reminders to their pupils in the days preceding the lesson, and these lessons are programmed into iSAMS so that teachers and house staff are aware that the lesson is due to take place The VMTs liaise closely with pupils over other commitments such as sport
It is the pupils’ responsibility to check their lesson times and to communicate any clashes with at least 48 hours' notice so that the lesson times can be changed. Lessons missed without this notice may be charged despite non-attendance
B B L O C K & A B L O C K
Pupils in B Block and A Block usually have lessons on a rotational basis during the school day To ensure that pupils do not miss too much of a particular academic subject, no more than 80 minutes of each subject is missed in any half term As music lessons are 40 minutes long, and academic lessons are 55 minutes long, no pupils should ever miss the entirety of any academic lesson.
Where pupils have a lesson during academic time, they are asked to contact their academic teacher with 48 hours' notice to ask permission On the very rare occasion that permission is not given, perhaps due to an assessment or science practical, these 48 hours will give enough time for the music lesson to be rescheduled.
It is usually possible for pupils to rotate two sets of music lessons through academic time without it having an impact on their studies In some cases, and if more than two instruments are taken, lessons for these year groups can be fixed at a different time.
O B L O C K & S I X T H F O R M
Pupils in these exam years do not miss academic lessons for music lessons, and they will be given times at other points in the week. This might include activity afternoons, before school or during study periods.
P R A C T I S I N G
Pupils who have music lessons are encouraged to organise regular practice in their own free time The Music School is open every weekday from 7am until 730pm, and there are a large number of practice rooms available during that time. On Saturdays the building is open through until lunch (or later, by request) and on Sundays it is routinely available from 2pm-4pm. It is recommended that pupils make good use of activity times during the afternoons too.
For award holders in B Block, we organise a central rota for supervised practice –these slots generally happen before school Anybody is able to be placed on this rota, by request.
R E P O R T I N G
Pupils will receive a written report from their VMTs at the end of each term as part of their academic reports. The Head of Instrumental Music or Director of Music is always happy to meet or arrange a call with parents to discuss progress or any other issues as they arise.
A B S E N C E S
Once pupils are timetabled, their teachers rightly expect to be remunerated regardless of the reason for a pupil’s absence
If a pupil is missing from a music lesson without notice, the music teacher will endeavour to send a Teams message to the pupil as a quick reminder about the lesson
If a pupil does not attend a previously timetabled music lesson (or if less than 48 hours’ notice is given), in most cases the lesson still has to be paid for and will be charged as if they had attended – this includes cases of illness or injury. We will then follow our absence procedure detailed below
From time to time it, may be that a pupil is unable to attend an arranged lesson because of a clash that has occurred at very short notice, for example a lastminute addition to a sports team for a fixture. In this scenario, the lesson will not be credited to the account so long as it can be proven that the pupil was not able to give the required 48 hours’ notice to the VMT
A B S E N C E P R O C E D U R E
When a pupil is absent from a lesson without notice, the following procedure is employed:
In the first instance, a member of the music staff will informally speak with the pupil to ascertain the reason and advise on how this might be avoided in the future.
In the second instance, the Assistant Director of Music or Head of Instrumental Music will arrange a meeting with the pupil, and the House Parent will be informed In the third instance, the Director of Music will speak formally with the pupil, inform the pupil’s parents/guardians and House Parents and an appropriate sanction will be applied.
F E E S
Although the number of lessons delivered may vary across the three terms (with the Michaelmas Term typically being longer than the Lent and Summer Terms), fees for individual music lessons will now be billed in arrears at the end of each term
We remain committed to providing 30 lessons over the academic year. As in previous years if more than 30 lessons could be delivered, we will seek permission from the parent or guardian in advance If, for any reason, fewer than 30 lessons are delivered during the academic year, you will only be charged for the lessons you have received
N O T I C E R E Q U I R E M E N T S
If a pupil is to stop receiving instrumental or vocal tuition at Repton, a full term’s notice in writing to the Director of Music is required, or a term’s fees are payable in lieu of such notice. For example, notice must be given by the start of the Summer Term for lessons to stop in the Michaelmas Term
M U S I C A L O P P O R T U N I T I E S
Beyond the teaching room, there are plenty of opportunities for pupils to perform either as a soloist or within an ensemble. There is a schedule of weekly rehearsals designed to cater for all musical tastes and abilities which is published at the start of each term In addition to a busy and varied calendar of musical performances and services in school and further afield, the Music and Drama Departments unite to put on a major musical production each year. Additionally, music tours take place annually and pupils regularly benefit from working alongside professional musicians.
Solo opportunities include a variety of concerts, recitals, workshops and masterclasses All musicians are encouraged to participate in the School’s individual music competition which leads to the Repton Young Musician of the Year Grand Final in which winners of all vocal and instrumental categories perform
We endeavour to ensure that there are valuable and inspirational opportunities for everyone, whatever stage they are at in their musical journey.
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