Music in our school day
Primary schools play an important role in fostering pupils’ interest in music, and secondary schools in developing that interest further. It is on this foundation that broader opportunities in music, including those delivered by music education hubs, rest. This is why high quality music education, as part of the school curriculum, is so vital. DfE – A National Plan for Music Education
Music is very important to us. We have been awarded a Music Mark for the last two years in recognition of our engagement in exteral events and music within our curriculum and school life. We are proud of our school orchestra which has more than 35 regular players and is run by Miss Patterson. They play at Monday Assembly and at our Masses and celebrations, including our Open Evening. We have a weekly singing assembly and enjoy singing both at Masses, at our Christmas and end of year productions, and for any occasion!
In Year 3 all children learn the recorder, which is funded by school for the first year. Parents then decide whether they wish to continue with recorder or switch to another instrument. Beyond Year 3 the charge is then passed on to parents but at a rate heavily subsidised by the Herts music school.
Instrumental tuition is currently offered in violin, fife, flute, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, cornet, and horn. 136 children are currently learning an instrument. The work of the orchestra is particularly impressive. We regularly have more than 30 children playing in the school orchestra. In December 2018 we joined up with John F Kennedy Catholic Secondary School in a joint orchestra workshop at St Cuthbert Mayne. We work in very close partnership with the Hertfordshire Music School and child regularly go on instrument days.
In addition, we are proud of our choir that adds so much to our school life through assemblies, singing at mass and supporting school festivals. The choir also reaches out to our wider community with performances at the Royal Albert Hall and the Hemel Hempstead Caritas events.
If you would like you child to take up an instrument, please speak to the Office.
Details of costs together with Terms and Conditions are available to download from the Virtual Office
