Music Department

WELCOME TO THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT

The Convent of Jesus and Mary Language College Music department is extremely active in all areas of the subject. From practical elements including ensembles to written forms such as composing and history and analysis, Music is alive and thriving at the Convent.

With one lesson a week at KS3, students learn and consolidate their practical and theoretical knowledge with a focus on raising the profile of the subject to that of a high end-thinking and academic subject. Students are assessed in a number of ways, allowing for varying levels of ability and learning styles.

Students are encouraged to start learning an instrument during KS3 and the Convent encourages this further with a heavily subsidised programme to allow every student the opportunity. Through private instrumental lessons, students are further encouraged to join one of the many ensembles offered at the convent. The school choir has grown dramatically over the last few years with the average number remaining around 80 girls. Student in KS3 are offered the KS3 ensemble also to help them consolidate their learning and enjoy their music with likeminded students.

The number of GCSE students taking music has grown over recent years and a higher number of these students are being retained for A level music courses. GCSE students are very active in the school community through music and this year has seen the formation of a KS4 ensemble made up of year 10 GCSE music students. Already, this ensemble has represented the college at public events including, most in particularly, the Jack Petchey Awards at Brent Town hall. At a local level, this ensemble provided music for the carols service at the convent as well the several concerts that run per year.

As well as the ensembles mentioned, the Convent also offers a woodwind ensemble, flute ensemble, strings ensemble, Samba group and jazz voices. Students are encouraged to come along and do not necessarily need to audition but do need to be learning an instrument/voice privately.

Music is a dynamic subject and provides students with another outlet for expression. It is an extremely accessible subject and students are encouraged to contribute to school life through this subject.

Staff

Miss M Greenrod (Curriculum leader and voice teacher)
Ms E Maguire (Classroom teacher and piano teacher)
Mr P Edmonds (Piano, Brent Music service)
Mr J Worth (Guitar, Brent Music service)
Ms J Campbell (Flute, Brent Music service)
Mr M Christie (Recorder and cello, Brent Music service)
Ms E Blair (Violin)
Mr P Anderson (Bass guitar and guitar, Brent Music service)
Miss S Kosciukiewicz (drum kit, Brent Music service)
Mrs C Sewell (saxophone and clarinet, Brent Music service)