Music plays a significant part in the life of Winchester House girls and boys prep school on the Oxfordshire/Northants borders. Every child in the school enjoys a wide range of musical activities. Children from pre - prep school through to year 8 will be involved in a whole host of musical events and performances throughout their time at WHS.
Namely; Pre-prep plays, Year 3 & 4 showcases, Yr 3 & 4 plays, Yr 3 & 4 carols & readings from Christmas, whole school concerts, year group assemblies, year 7 plays, Church Services, Music Competitions with visiting adjudicators, lunchtime and junior concerts, Prep schools music days at other schools, performances within the community and it goes on
This has helped us to create a happy and thriving department, where all can be involved; all can enjoy; talent can be nurtured and high standards achieved. We regularly win music exhibitions and scholarships to a wide range of Public Schools.
All children at Winchester House have two lessons of curriculum music each week. One of these is a class based lesson where the focus is on listening/appraising, composing and performing skills; in years 3 & 4, the other is a year group based lesson, focusing on vocal work in a choral context and this term, years 5 – 8 have a Performance Art session each week, where they will experience a variety of disciplines within ‘the arts’.
Learning an instrument
Extra curricular music plays a large part in all that we do and we offer tuition in many different instruments. Over 75% of children learn at least one instrument and approximately 175 lessons are given each week, as well as theory and aural coaching to help prepare children for the Associated Board Exams. The music staff are always happy to offer advice and help when choosing which instrument to take up.
Tuition is available in the following instruments:
Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Double Bass, Flute, French Horn, Guitar, Oboe, Organ, Percussion/Drum Kit, Piano, Recorder, Saxophone, Singing, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Viola, Violin.
Lessons last for 30 minutes for children in year 3 and 35 minutes for children in years 4 – 8 and are taught by visiting specialist instrumental / vocal teachers. Children are taught these lessons during the course of a normal school day on a rotational basis.
We are fortunate to have a large number of well-equipped practice rooms with modern pianos available at school, and children are encouraged to practise both at school and at home. Each child has one set practice time at school during the week, where music staff are on hand to accompany, help or simply be an audience!
Orchestras, Choirs and Ensembles
Ensemble music making is a very important part of what we strive for at Winchester House. Most children who learn an instrument will take part in an ensemble at some time during their time at school. It is through shared experiences that music making can be really enjoyed and appreciated.
We have an orchestra, junior and senior brass groups, trumpet groups and trombone group, a junior and senior flute and recorder group, junior and senior clarinets, junior and senior strings, junior and senior flutes, a close harmony singing ensemble ‘The Alternatives’, a sax group, two guitar groups and a junior and senior choir- 'Cantoris'
This very popular and highly acclaimed choir toured Holland in 2006 and Paris in the Summer of 2008 with the school orchestra.
What else?
In October 2005 we started a joint venture with Bloxham School, performing the cantata 'Ocean World', which was a very successful undertaking involving large numbers of children dancing, singing, playing and creating films for projection during the performance. The success of this venture was repeated in October 2007 with 'African Jigsaw', even bigger and better than 'Ocean World'.
In Lent term 2010 we tackled our most ambitious project to date. The new Performance Arts time on a Thursday afternoon has enabled staff to broaden the children’s experience of the arts. In January 2010, all children in years 5, 6, 7 & 8 shared their work in drama, art, dance, creative writing, poetry and music in a performance of ‘Song of Creation’ by Peter Rose and Anne Conlon.
We also hold lunchtime and junior concerts in houses during the Michaelmas and Summer term - a performance platform for instrumentalists and singers and more formal Music Concerts are held termly.
There is an extensive and very successful Music Competition in the Lent Term, involving most children from Years 3 - 8. The competition also includes the House Shout, a very popular pupil-led singing competition involving all the children from Years 4 - 8.
At Winchester House girls and boys prep school we encourage music for all and the children at WHS enjoy joining in with all aspects of the subject.
