MUSIC EXCELLENCE AND SCHOLARSHIP at Woldingham
Our Millennium Centre has some of the best facilities for music performance of any school in the country
MUSIC EXCELLENCE AND SCHOLARSHIP Woldingham School has an outstanding reputation for music. Our Millennium Centre has some of the best facilities for music performance of any school in the country. The 630-seater acoustically designed Dineen Auditorium includes an orchestra pit and fully computerised sound and lighting system. The Music Department also has an excellent Recital Room, iMac computer suite, state of the art 24-track digital recording studio, keyboard studio, string and woodwind studios, numerous practice rooms and a ‘live lounge’ informal performance space. Our experienced music staff work hard to bring out the full potential of each and every student. Music staff and students work closely with the Drama Department on many productions.
MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME Woldingham’s scholarship programme aims to support and enable our scholars to the highest levels of performance and musicianship. Music scholars have regular performance coaching and aural training with a professional accompanist. They perform in school at assemblies, at Mass, major school events and chamber concerts throughout the year, as well as at venues such as Westminster Cathedral and at competitions and music festivals. All music scholars take part in the Scholars’ Ensemble (orchestral) and/or Amaris (choral), both of which perform regularly to a very high standard. Commitment to rehearsals and learning repertoire is expected. Music scholars joining Woldingham in Years 7-10 are expected to take music at GCSE. All students in Years 7-9 take curriculum music lessons. We have a Music Ribbon (prefect), a Sixth Former, who is the senior student for music and who plays an important role with our younger music scholars and as an ambassador for music across the school.
CO-CURRICULAR MUSIC Woldingham offers a wide range of co-curricular musical activities. All ensembles are run by experienced full-time and visiting music staff. These include: Junior Choir (Years 7-8) Senior Choir (Years 9-Upper Sixth) Amaris (competition choir, by audition) Training Orchestra (grades 1-4) Symphony Orchestra (grade 5+) Scholars’ Ensemble (music scholars) Percussion Ensemble Flutissimo (flute ensemble) Jazz Band Chamber music ensembles (various)
INDIVIDUAL MUSIC LESSONS Alongside curriculum music lessons, students can learn one or more musical instruments and have singing lessons with specialist instrument and voice teachers. Woldingham currently offers lessons for violin, viola, cello, harp, guitar, flute, saxophone, clarinet, organ, piano, bassoon, oboe, brass, percussion, timpani, drum kit and singing.
OPPORTUNITIES TO PERFORM Woldingham has a busy annual concert schedule, providing students with opportunities for public performance as a soloist and as part of an ensemble, choir or orchestra. As well as major concerts in the auditorium in the spring and autumn terms, and a less formal one at the end of the school year, there are two music scholars’ concerts, as well as regular, smaller recitals. Music is at the heart of Woldingham’s annual carol service at Westminster Cathedral, with choirs leading the singing, as well as performing special pieces. The Music Department works closely with Drama to bring live music to major productions.
EXCELLENCE AND OPPORTUNITY Students are encouraged to gain experience and develop their skills outside of school, as well as in school. Three Woldingham music scholars are currently studying on Saturdays at the Junior Departments of the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music. Music scholar Imani is principal clarinet with the prestigious Chineke! Junior Orchestra, comprising majority Black and ethnically diverse musicians aged 11-22. Musicians are encouraged and supported to take part in competitions and festivals to perform outside of school. Last year, our Amaris choir was runner up in the final of the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA) Choir of the Year Competition and two Woldingham ensembles were selected for the final of the prestigious Pro Corda Festival. Closer to home, eight Woldingham singers won one or more categories at the Reigate & Redhill Music and Drama Festival, with one duet selected to perform at the gala concert, the finale to the festival. Last year, our Chapel Choir was invited to sing with Eton College’s Chapel Choir at evensong at Eton, following a rehearsal led by Eton College’s Precentor and Director of Music.
BEYOND WOLDINGHAM Many Woldingham musicians pursue successful careers as a musician, or in the music industry, as well as performing alongside other careers. Every year, students accept places to study music at leading conservatoires and universities. Woldingham musicians have secured music scholarships to the University of Cambridge, the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music, among others. This year’s Music Ribbon, Isabel, has been offered a prestigious Organ Scholarship and place to study music at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge. Former music scholar Georgia is a composer, who has received commissions from the Royal Opera House and the Central School of Speech and Drama. Former Head Girl Rachel has sung with the English National Opera and former Head Girl Pasha works in music promotion alongside being a freelance musician.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Woldingham offers music scholarships at 11+, 13+ and 16+. Students who don’t receive a scholarship are encouraged to reapply at a later stage as their skills and expertise develop by taking advantage of music lessons and the many co-curricular and performance opportunities at Woldingham. For more information on music scholarships at Woldingham, contact: Ms Rachel Ives, Interim Director of Music ivesr@woldinghamschool.co.uk or Mrs Linda Underwood, Director of Admissions registrar@woldinghamschool.co.uk
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Marden Park, Woldingham, Surrey, CR3 7YA (for satellite navigation please use postcode CR3 7LR)
01883 349431 info@woldinghamschool.co.uk
woldinghamschool.co.uk