Music
Music is an important part of life at Saint Ronan’s. All children have two group lessons each week in which they are guided through a curriculum providing the practical and creative skills needed to become a musician. During the Pre-Prep years, elements of Kodaly, Orff and Dalcroze teaching are used to develop each child’s singing and listening skills. Notation is introduced through use of our extensive stock of percussion instruments.
In the Prep School all children follow a course of basic skills on the recorder and then on the keyboard. The ‘Recorder Karate’ scheme enables children to set personal goals and to learn the importance of individual practising. Our ‘Classroom Band’ work in the later years gives every child the opportunity to perform as part of a group. At all times, children are exposed to a wide variety of music, firstly through dance and movement lessons and later through our study of the history of music. The development of our I.T. provision for music will extend still further the breadth of the curriculum.
The music department is based in the Harris Building which has 2 large teaching rooms and 9 practice rooms. In addition to class music lessons, all children have the opportunity to study an instrument with one of our team of 15 experienced and highly-qualified visiting teachers.
Most children in the prep school learn an instrument with some learning 2 or 3. Taster sessions are offered to interested pupils and the school has a large supply of instruments which are loaned to families. ABRSM examiners visit the school each term. In recent years our musicians have won scholarships to Eton, The King’s School, Canterbury, Eastbourne College, Walthamstow Hall and Cranbrook School.
There is a thriving culture of performance at Saint Ronan’s. We have a large school orchestra, a Chamber Choir and Chapel Choir, three String Ensembles, a Brass Band, Woodwind Ensemble and Flute choir. Children perform regularly as soloists and as ensemble musicians and often attend music workshops held externally. Concerts are held in the beautiful Great Space and our Chapel Choir sings at Evensongs in our chapel. There is an annual musical produced each Spring, a House music competition in Autumn and beginners and informal concerts are held for soloists throughout the year.
Saint Ronan's Music Scholarship
The Saint Ronan’s Music Scholarship is an award to both recognise musical achievement and to encourage and make a financial contribution towards the continuation of study of a musical instrument beyond Grade 5 (ABRSM or equivalent) whilst at Saint Ronan’s.
Separately, if your child is not already a member of the Saint Ronan's community and is musically talented, he or she may be eligible for a Stanley Harris Award.
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