Departments
Music
The Music Department at Brandeston Hall endeavours to give every child a chance to take an active part in music making. This begins in Reception where children sing, dance, clap and play percussion instruments, learning the basics of musical matters. Singing is a thread running through Years 1 to 8 and further experiments on recorders, ukuleles, violins and cellos and brass instruments inspire children to learn one of these instruments. There are sixteen visiting, specialist, instrumental teachers including piano (both traditional and jazz), singing, recorder, woodwind, brass and strings as well as guitar and drums. There is plenty of opportunity for solo performance from Year 1 to Year 8. Typically in any one year there are thirteen evening recitals where about 300 solo and small group performances take place.
There are also numerous ensembles which rehearse on a weekly basis including Junior and Senior Vocal groups, the Orchestra, The Funky Monkeys (jazz band), The Wild Bunch (rock band), String Ensemble and a ‘Specials’ chamber ensemble for the more accomplished players. There are also ad hoc groups who work on pieces and perform in the recitals.
A child who takes part in music at Brandeston does so in an atmosphere of friendliness and all our concerts show a high standard of music making with smiles and pride on each performer’s face after their efforts.
Instrumental exams also take place regularly and we use ABRSM and Trinity/Guildhall, as well as Rock School entries. We have a good number of musicians who do exams ranging from Prep tests through to Grade 5, 6 and sometimes 7.
We have had some musicians who have left us as music scholars when they leave and a number of them have evolved into professional musicians: Laura Wright (All Angels), Charlie Simpson (Busted), Jeanine Thorpe (solo violinist), Lisa Cooper (orchestral horn player), Will Rogers (Jon Paul Palombo) and Ed Sheeran (singer), amongst others, were all pupils at Brandeston Hall and enjoy success in the music world now.
