Edgeborough has a thriving and energetic music department which aims to foster a love and enjoyment of music-making of all styles and genres. The department makes a major contribution within the academic, social, cultural and spiritual areas of the school.
Pupils in Years 2 - 8 have class music lessons taken by a specialist, whilst the pupils in Reception and Year 1 enjoy music making with their class teachers. Edgeborough is fortunate to have a large, purpose built music room, fully equipped with I Mac computers, notation and sequencing software, keyboards and recording equipment as well as classroom percussion and an excellent hi-fi system. Pupils have a varied diet of class music lessons which develop their skills of Listening and Appraising, Composing and Performing. In Years 2,3 and 4, the emphasis is on learning about the elements of music and basic theory concepts. Years 5 and 6 concentrate on the history of Western Classical Music whilst continuing with theory and keyboard skills. Years 7 and 8 have a considerable emphasis on music technology and composition. All pupils sing regularly.
All pupils in Years 2 and 3 learn the recorder and violin in small groups. In Year 3 and above, pupils are offered individual instrumental lessons on a large range of instruments (please see the Instrumental Guide for more details) and there are many ensembles that pupils can join. Many pupils are keen to take music examinations, more details of which can be seen in the Instrumental Guide.
Edgeborough offers many performance opportunities throughout the year. Pupils can perform in formal and informal concerts, in the weekly Friday service and in assemblies and class. There are three ‘In House' competitions during the year, for singers, instrumentalists and pianists. The annual Rock Workshop is also a popular event. Many pupils also take part in local music festivals and have enjoyed much success. Choirs also sing at these events and at the Carol Service, held in the magnificent Chapel at Charterhouse. The Chapel Choir sings Evensong at local churches as well as providing music for the Friday Services along with the thriving Early Music Group. Pupils are also encouraged to attend instrumental and choral days organised by local prestigious Senior Schools.
Drama
Edgeborough has a thriving and busy Drama Department. There are two productions a year; the Lower Prep Production which takes place in the Christmas Term for Years 4 & 5 and the Upper Prep Production for Years 7 & 8, which takes place in the Easter Term. In the Summer Term, the Year 8's perform a light hearted farewell Revue to their parents and staff. These productions give pupils plenty of opportunity to perform and become involved in staging a play. This academdic year 2011/2012 the Lower Prep performed ‘The Fwog Pwince' by Kaye Umansky and the Upper Prep recently staged ‘Bugsy Malone' in March. As well as productions, every form has one Drama lesson of 40 minutes weekly and each term, a different theme is covered for that year group. Older and modern texts are studied as well as topics such as Homelessness, Melodrama and Pantomime. Shakespearean plays form the basis of many lessons. Lessons comprise of activities such as improvisation and script work, mime, performance poetry and movement. Pupils can have LAMDA lessons at school.
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