As well as class music lessons students also have the opportunity to learn a variety of instruments. At present the school offers Strings, Brass and Woodwind, Drum kit, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Singing, Piano and Electric Keyboard. Students are encouraged to prepare for examinations of Trinity College and the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, both practical and theory. Students are aware that Grade 6 and above enables UCAS points and many have used this as a way of enabling them to access the university course of their choice.
Extra-Curricular activities
The department’s philosophy is very much to encourage students to develop their skills so the nature of these activities varies each year. Students organise their own Rock and Jazz groups and are encouraged and supported to perform in school assemblies and compose music for major school events. However the core of the Department’s work is the Orchestra and Choir.
There are two major concerts each year as well as a number of ‘Words and Music’ Evenings with the English and Drama departments. Recently the Crypt School Sinfonia and Choir have presented concerts in Devon and Gloucester: programmes have included a Bach Cantata, Boyce Symphony No.5 and Purcell’s ‘Come Ye Sons of Art’. The choir leads the school in the annual Remembrance Day Service held in the school as well as a traditional annual carol service. Powerful historic links are also reaffirmed in the annual Founders’ Day Service in Gloucester Cathedral. This service is a demonstration of the Crypt School Community and the Orchestra and Choir are at the heart of leading the school community of Students, Staff, Parents, past students and guests.
Cross – Curricular Work
The department is committed to working with other departments and each year contributes to the science department’s ‘Future is Wild’ project with a film music project in Year 8. There are also two ‘Words and Music’ evenings each year which are performance events organised with either the English, Drama or MFL departments. The department works with the Drama department in producing shows or incidental music for school plays. In 2010 the department worked with the Drama department in a production of ‘Oliver’. Each year the school has an ‘Arts Week’ where students have the opportunity to experience music or performance work from different cultures. Recently these have included Jamaican Steel Drums and a Gamelan Orchestra.
The Department
Director of Music – Mr.I.Hiscock. B.A. P.G.C.E, LTCL, L.Mus.T.C.L, A.L.C.M
Assistant Music Teacher – Mr.M.Bennett B.A. P.G.C.E,, L.Mus.T.C.L , A.T.C.L.
Strings – Mrs.J.Gillett-Smith
Woodwind – Mrs.J.Baldwin and Mr.A.Schaaf
Brass – Mr.P.Cowley
Electric Guitar and Electric Bass – Mr.M.Remes
Drumkit – Mr.M.Bucher
Voice – Mr.N.Phelps and Mr.M.Bennett
Piano / Electric Keyboard – Mr.C.Boodle and Mr.W.Morris
