Music

Music at Newlands Manor

We are proud to offer a wide-ranging programme of activities, concerts and events which engages the wider school community. The Manor music diary for this year includes:

A rich programme of concerts, in and out of school
A production of the musical Guys & Dolls
Carol Service in Seaford
Remembrance and Passiontide Services
Participation in local music festivals, particularly the Eastbourne Festival
‘Battle of the Bands’ rock event for student bands
Visit to the opera in London
Renaissance Week offering cross-curricular development
Customized A-level and GCSE visits to live performances

A team of 9 full-qualified professionals led by one full-time members of Music staff, offers a thorough educational programme, preparing students for music college and university entrance:

Edexcel AS and A2 Advanced level
AQA GCSE
Year 9 course in music which can lead to accelerated GCSE Music in Year 10 for suitable students

Recent students have gone on to study at Oxford, Cambridge and London Uniersities and the Birmingham Conservatoire.

Instrumental exams are offered through the Associated Board, Trinity, Guildhall and the London College of Music.

Activities include:

Manor Singers (mixed voices)
Jazz Band
Performing Arts Singers
Cantorum Ensemble (senior girls)

Music facilities:

Music Technology Suite with four PC workstations with professional sequencing and score-writing software
Chapel with grand piano and lovely performing acoustic for smaller concerts and recitals
Large Hall suitable for bigger-scale events
Upgraded Music-teaching facilities in the Main School, with a suite of practice and teaching rooms

Music at Newlands Prep School

Music is a key part of school life at Newlands Prep School. Music is an inclusive activity, in which everyone is invited to participate. Every child is involved in performing during the school year, and many opportunities are provided to encourage the development of musical skills, performance and self-confidence.

The Prep School Music diary for this year includes:

Lunchtime and evening concerts each term
School services, including Remembrance and Passiontide
Christmas Carol Service in Seaford
Christmas concerts
Djembe workshop
Renaissance Week offering cross-curricular development
Participation in local music festivals, particularly the Eastbourne Festival
Weekly Music assemblies offering performing opportunities and the chance to hear professional artists

Music activities in the Prep School include:

Prep School Choir
Performing Arts Prep Singers
Prep School Band
Workshops for developing aural and theory training for exam preparation
Recorder Ensemble
Suzuki Violin for all the Pre-Prep pupils

In the classroom, pupils follow a well-structured Music curriculum which expands the recommendations of the QCA, and which offers continuity of teaching towards GCSE and A-level.

Every pupil is encouraged to explore his/her own creativity through listening, composing and performing. Facilities include:

Upgraded Music-teaching facilities in the Main School, with a suite of practice and teaching rooms
Use of three grand pianos
Six practice/teaching rooms
Huge range of percussion instruments
Keyboards
Up-to-the-minute singing repertoire

Instrumentalists can learn piano, singing, drums, classical and electric guitar, and the usual range of orchestral instruments. The team of 9 music specialists in the Music Department is led by two full-time members of staff.

Pupils are offered the chance to take music exams with the