Music
For the most up to date information from the music department head over to the blog: https://musicatskinners.wordpress.com
At Key Stage 3 we teach as many of our lessons practically as possible. Students study music from around the world and a broad variety of styles and encouraging them to play as many different instruments as possible through their three years of compulsory music lessons. The Units covered are:
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
| The Leopard Song ( the school song, developing keyboard techniques) | African Music | Programme Music |
| Minimalis | Theme & Variations (GarageBand skills) | Film Music |
| Graphic Notation | Blues | Pop Music in Practice |
| Dorico Composition | Arranging (Dorico Skills) | Reggae |
| Jazz | Folk Music |
At GCSE boys hone their acquired skills with as much practical work as possible in all styles to gain high levels of success and prepare for further study. They follow the AQA syllabus with large classes enjoying the variety of musical styles covered.
Music at A level follows a rigorous course requiring both performing at a high level and theoretical skills – courses are tailored to meet the individuals’ strengths and enthusiasms.
Extra-Curricular Music
For details of the extra-curricular Music schedule please click here
Choirs
Year 7 Choir
A choir specifically for boys in year 7 to help develop confidence and technique. Boys regularly sing in harmony in traditional songs as well in songs of their own choosing.
Chamber Choir
A joint choir with neighbouring TWGGS. This group is the only auditioned regularly meeting group in the department. They have an annual trip to Cambridge where they have this year sung Choral Evensong with the choir of Selwyn College.
Year 8 Choir
A choir just for year 8 students to support them as their voices change and help them to develop their musicality further.
Year 9 Choir
This crucial group is to develop their singing skills to further develop into senior choir and barbershop. Harmony singing is encouraged particularly a cappella where possible.
Senior Choir
A choir of year 10-13 students singing a mixture of musical styles and repertoire often singing in events around the local area, most recently in Tonbridge School chapel for the Hospice in the Weald Carols at Chirstmas.
Staff Choir
This is a relaxed and informal group who sing in most of our formal concerts throughout the year, and have even been known to burst into song in staff meetings...
We have now begun to collaborate with the drama department to put on musical theatre as well. We have an alternating pattern where one year the junior production is a musical, the other year the senior. Recent performances include Amadeus, Frankenstein and West Side Story all with student actors, stage crew and instrumentalists.
Other chamber music runs mainly on an ad-hoc basis, but special mention is merited by the trio-sonata group for their excellent performances in a variety of settings.
Events
Thursday 7th November, 7pm - Battle of the Bands
Tuesday 19th November, 6.30pm at St John's Church - St Cecilia's Concert
Wednesday 4th December, 7pm - Christmas Concert
Tuesday 17th December, 6.30pm at St John's Church - Carol Service
Tuesday 4th March 2025, 7pm - Senior Concert
Tuesday 18th March 2025, 7pm - Junior Concert
Thursday 3rd April 2025 - Joint Concert with TWGGS (tbc)
Monday 14th July 2025, 7pm - Summer Concert
Instrumental Lessons
Instrumental Lessons
A team of visiting teachers is able to provide individual tuition on the orchestral instruments, guitar [rock and classical], keyboard, piano, percussion and organ.
Where appropriate, pupils are encouraged to enter Associated Board or Trinity/Guildhall grade exams as a gauge of their progress. The certificates gained are useful additional qualifications when it comes to further education applications.
Additional information is available from the Director of Music at the school, Mr Simon Hendry - simon.hendry@skinners-school.org.uk or the application form can be completed here. More information about each of our instrumental teachers can be found here.
Groups
Barbershop
A group who focus on close harmony and the traditionally American style of singing. A great way to finish the week.
Brass Ensemble
A group for all brass and percussion players in all year groups often conducted by students. This group plays a significant role in the whole school Remembrance Day parade leading in hymns and the crucial fanfares. They also accompany the Carols on the Lawn for the sixth form in the final week of the school calendar year.
Deaf Leopards
A group for helping develop rock and pop bands. Senior students often take a lead role in the running of this group. These groups are often hits at our informal lunchtime concerts for the dinner queue.
Folk Group
A group run without any notation. Students learn to play by ear responding to traditional tunes from around the UK and US. Senior members of this group are preparing for a ceilidh to take place soon.
Jazz
A group of more senior students (year 11-13) formed to play big band jazz arrangements and build their ensemble and improvisation skills. We also feature some of their own arrangements in our programmes.
Senior Orchestra
A traditional symphony orchestra line-up; strings, woodwind, brass and percussion playing music from the mainstream repertoire of the last two hundred years. They have an important role in the Skinners’ Day celebrations and all our major concerts.
String Ensemble
A chance for orchestral string players to work together to develop their playing of this popular ensemble.
Swing Band
A chance for year 7-10 students to play jazz and swing numbers often developing improvising and solo skills.
Year 7, 8 & 9 ensemble
This is a group for all instrumentalists in KS3 and many in year 10 help for their DofE volunteering. This group plays in all relevant concerts and leads the background music at Christmas Lunch.
