Music

Our Juniors benefit from accessing our purpose-built Music School which houses a beautiful Concert Hall with Yamaha grand piano, two large teaching rooms, an iMac music suite running Sibelius and Logic Pro X and eleven instrumental teaching/practice rooms, each of which has a piano. In addition to the Music School, our EYFS pupils enjoy access to a further music classroom in the Junior School where specialist lessons ignite their passion for Music from their very first days at Talbot Heath. The Concert Hall is used for staging informal concerts and on a day to day basis, is a hive of activity as a rehearsal base for musical ensembles.

Music is taught by specialist teachers from EYFS through to Year 6. The emphasis is on cultivating an enjoyment and appreciation of music through practical learning – music lessons are fun! From Year 3, we use iPads in music lessons, integrating aspects of Music Technology into the curriculum via GarageBand. Our enthusiastic and dedicated music staff comprise of a Director of Music and part time Assistant Director of Music, ably supported by a fantastic, talented team of peripatetic staff who deliver one-to-one instrumental and singing lessons. The department is a centre for the instrumental examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and also enters students for exams with Music Teacher’s Board (MTB), and Trinity (both Classical and Rock ‘n’ Pop) exams.

A range of musical ensembles meet on a weekly basis with access for all students from across the school. A busy concert schedule includes a regular programme of informal Class Concerts, the annual Nativity and Carol Service, Musical Theatre Productions, Spring and/or Summer Term Concerts as well as community events and trips. Each year, our Year 3 students take part in the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s Participatory Concert at the Lighthouse, and Year 6 students work towards a performance at the O2 in London where they take part in t ‘Young Voices’. As part of our curriculum, Juniors are exposed to a wide range of orchestral and popular instruments and all are encouraged to find their voice so they can enjoy music in their own way beyond the classroom.