Music Prospectus
Music Music is central to school life at Royal High School Bath. As a Steinway Music School, we house a fleet of ten Steinway pianos, one of which is a beautiful Model B. Being part of the prestigious Steinway family enables students to participate in masterclasses and concerts delivered by artists and ensembles endorsed by Steinway and the opportunity to partake in concerts at the Steinway Halls in London, New York and Beijing. Our purpose-built Music School offers state of the art facilities, including a 60-seater Recital Room, two Music Technology studios, classroom and wellequipped practice rooms. Pupils make music at over 30 events each academic year, with additional opportunities for informal performances. Royal High School Bath has a 17-strong team of Music teachers and instrumental specialists. A large number of pupils learn an instrument in school and a range of co-curricular ensembles enhances the Music curriculum.
Wider Opportunities Music has taken Royal High School Bath pupils all over the UK and beyond. Recent music tours have included tours to Barcelona, France and Germany. Closer to home, our pupils have recently performed concerts, recitals and choral services at a number of venues including Bath Abbey and the Bristol Beacon. Many of Royal High School Bath’s outstanding musicians pursue music at a high level outside school as members of groups including Bath Abbey Choir, B&NES Youth Wind Band and Youth Jazz Orchestra and National Youth Orchestras. Music scholars follow a programme of enrichment and extension including workshops, masterclasses and concert visits.
Middle School Music is taught to all pupils in Years 5 to 9. Pupils in Years 5 and 6 receive a fortnightly one-hour lesson, which grows to a weekly one-hour lesson in Year 7. Pupils learn to critically appraise music, perform on a variety of instruments including keyboards and percussion and compose using GarageBand and Sibelius. The department is equipped with a suite of Macs and pupils also have access to the Music Technology studios. Music lessons in Years 5 and 6 link to curricular themes that underpin the wider curriculum.
Year
5
Year
6
Autumn
Autumn
The Victorians: Hard Times and Great Expectations
World War 2: Fighting for Freedom
Pupils explore rhythm and pitch through the practical discovery of Victorian street cries, crazy Victorian gadgets and the Victorian Music Hall. Pupils also learn Christmas Carols to present in the Carol Service and Christmas Extravaganza.
Spring Protecting the Poles; My global footprint: Mission Conservation Pupils reflect on conserving the environment through creating and performing music with graphic scores and going on a sound walk in nature.
Summer Secrets in the Sand: Life in Ancient Egypt Pupils learn about Ancient Egypt by examining historical instruments found in Egyptian wall paintings, crafting traditional ancient Egyptian shaking instruments and exploring the harmonic minor scale.
Pupils explore the jazz and swing music of the 1940s, learning to improvise and perform swing music in groups.
Spring As Dead as a Dodo: Evolution and Inheritance Pupils explore programme music – music that tells a story – by applying the elements of music in composing and performing.
Summer All the World’s a Stage The world really does become a stage as pupils prepare for their Summer production. Pupils learn solo and ensemble songs in both unison and harmony and present them, building musicianship, confidence and collaboration.
Years
7-9 Pupils in Years 7 to 9 undertake half-termly projects which feature a range of topics from pop to world music and the Western Classical Tradition.
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Autumn 1
Stomp!
Blues
Musical theatre***
Autumn 2
Sonority City/ Christmas choir
Bhangra Fusion
Film Music
Spring 1
Gamelan*
Djembe drumming**
Samba
Spring 2
Fanfares
Exploring pop songs
Song structure
Summer
Ukuleles
Guitar
Reggae
* Pupils attend a Gamelan workshop as part of this project.
** Pupils attend a drumming and percussion workshop as part of this project.
*** Pupils attend a performance of musical theatre in London’s West End as part of this project.
GCSE
A Level
We follow the Eduqas GCSE music syllabus which focuses on the three core elements of appraising, composing and performing:
We follow the Eduqas A level Music syllabus which focuses on the three core elements of appraising, composing and performing.
Performing (30%)
Pupils choose either Option A to major in Performing or Option B to major in Composing.
Pupils perform two pieces which are recorded in Year 11. One must be an ensemble performance. The required standard is approximately equivalent to Grade 3. Composing (30%) Pupils compose two pieces during the course – a free composition of their choice, and a brief composition which fulfils a brief released at the start of year 11. Appraising (40%) Pupils study music from four Areas of Study – Musical Forms and Devices, Music for Ensemble, Film Music and Popular Music. This includes the study of two set works: J.S. Bach’s Badinerie and Toto’s Africa. This component is assessed by a listening exam at the end of Year 11.
Performing: 35% (Option A) or 25% (Option B) Pupils present a recital which may feature solo and ensemble playing. Option A: Total duration of performances: 10–12 minutes. Option B: Total duration of performances: 6–8 minutes. Composing: 25% (Option A) or 35% (Option B) Option A: Two compositions with a total duration of 4–6 minutes. Option B: Three compositions with a total duration of 8–10 minutes. Appraising: 40% There are three areas of study:
• AoSA: The Western Classical Tradition
(The Development of the Symphony 1750–1900) which includes two set works:
• A choice of one area of study from:
AoSB: Rock and Pop; AoSC: Musical Theatre and AoSD: Jazz
• AoSE: Into the Twentieth Century, including two set works
Co-curricular Co-curricular Music thrives at Royal High School Bath with larger bands and orchestras and smaller ensembles accommodating musicians of all abilities. Over 15 ensembles rehearse every week with large-scale performances featuring pupils in their hundreds to music festivals and more intimate soloist evenings. Pupils are encouraged to make music together and student-led ensembles and bands are welcomed.
Our co-curricular ensembles include:
Choirs Chamber Choir Vox Totally Vocally Young Voices
Instrumental Concert Band Symphony Orchestra Jazz Band Intermediate String Orchestra Senior String Orchestra Brass Ensemble Chamber Ensembles for advanced players including scholars ensembles Musical Pit Band Music Technology Club
Appraisal Theory Club GCSE and A level composition
Individual instrumental lessons A large number of Royal High School Bath pupils learn an instrument in school. Our Visiting Music Teachers offer pupils lessons on a wide range of instruments with lessons available from beginner level to diploma and beyond. Royal High School Bath has a limited number of school instruments for loan.
Harp Ms Jade Hamzelou
Oboe Mrs Vanessa Hammond
Organ Mr Huw Williams
Brass Mrs Hannah Wilkins
Piano Mr George Fradley
Cello
Mr David Seymour
Mrs Katja Fradley
Mrs Pam Wendzina
Clarinet/Saxophone
Violin/viola
Mrs Berry Diver
Mrs Camilla Seymour
Drum kit and orchestral percussion
Voice
Harriet Riley
Mrs Anna Bernard
Flute
Mr Harry Fradley
Mr David Kniveton
Guitar acoustic and electric Mr James Ladd
Mr Adrian Millard
Music Scholarships Opportunities for practice, performance and the study of Music in our Steinway Music School are considerable, and the standard of musicianship at Royal High School Bath is exceptional. Music Scholars’ timetables are tailored and continually monitored to accommodate their musical interests and practice time. In addition to regular teaching and rehearsals, scholars are encouraged to travel to performances outside of Bath, and to attend recitals and masterclasses within the school. Music Scholars enjoy specialising in music throughout their school career and perform in a range of internal and external concerts and recitals over the academic year. Musicians are also taken on tour, both nationally and internationally. High-achieving Music Scholars are able to record their performances in our professional standard recording studio. They have the opportunity to perform as soloists in concertos, and many attain diplomas before leaving school. For some, music is simply an important pastime, however several students have recently gone on to read Music at university and conservatoire, and subsequently pursued a professional career.
Steinway International Music Scholarship • Regular masterclasses by Steinway Artists and leading musicians.
• Access to Steinway recital venues worldwide.
• A series of concerts, performing
alongside professional musicians.
• Termly Scholars’ concerts and recitals to showcase and nurture progression and development.
• Links with all major Music conservatoires.
• Regular one-to-one meetings with the
Director of Music to track progress and discuss career aspirations.
• Alexander Technique sessions to
develop posture, anxiety, and mental well-being.
• Performance techniques – how to
address an audience, public speaking, and concert programming.
• Instrumental Lessons delivered by specialist musicians.
• Leadership opportunities in choirs and instrumental ensembles.
• Conducting Classes. • Theory Classes. • Composition Classes. • Business skills within the music industry.
Entry Requirements Year 7 Grade 5+ (UK ABRSM)
on one or more instrument.
Year 9 Grade 6+ (UK ABRSM)
on one or more instrument.
Grade 5 Theory (UK ABRSM)
Year 12 Grade 7+ (UK ABRSM)
on one or more instrument.
Application Process Music applicants will be asked to perform two pieces on their main instrument. They will also be given some aural tests and sight-reading commensurate with the standard expected of the age group. There will be a short interview with the Director of Music during which candidates are asked about their musical experiences and interests to determine their commitment to music in a broader context. A written statement and portfolio of achievements will also be requested in which the candidate should make clear why they are interested in music and why they want to be a Music Scholar at Royal High School Bath. Video recordings of performances are acceptable, and interviews can take place using TEAMS, Skype, or Google Chat.
Royal High Bath, GDST Lansdown Road Bath BA1 5SZ United Kingdom royalhigh@rhsb.gdst.net +44 (0)1225 313877