Music Department

Our department is an energetic and vibrant place to be!  We have many instrumental and vocal ensembles to be involved in and lots of opportunities to perform.

At key stage 3 pupils perform, compose and listen to a variety of styles of music.  Topics include Welsh pop, rock music, world music and film music.  Pupils work on their musical skills by performing on a variety of instruments as well as gaining in confidence and working with others.

GCSE music is offered at key stage 4.  Pupils enhance their performing, composing and listening skills through five areas of study. 

The areas studied are:                 

         Music in Wales

         Musical structure

         Music for a special occasion

         Music for stage and screen

         Music evolution

At key stage 5 we offer Advanced Studies/Advanced 2 Music and Advanced VCE Performing Arts in conjunction with our Drama department. 

Music Advanced Studies covers Baroque music, a choice of essay topics, composing and performing and the Advanced 2 course looks at twentieth century art music, performing and composing.

Performing Arts is a practical course looking at theatrical performance, especially drama, dance and music.  Giving pupils the skills needed to study at a higher level.  Eighty percent of our past pupils have now gone on to further education within the performing arts field.

We have seven instrumental/vocal teachers who visit the department once a week to tutor our pupils. There are a variety of ensembles to become involved with including, guitar club, string group, wind band, keyboard club and our two choirs ‘Melody’ (Yrs 7 & 8) and Harmony (Yrs 9 and above).  There are many opportunities to perform throughout the year.  We have our annual carol service, Eisteddfod, summer evening concert (which includes our primary feeder schools) and regular fantastic productions.  These have included ‘Bugsy Malone’ and ‘Guys and Dolls’ as well as a variety of opportunities to perform within the community.

Musicians visit our school to give introductory courses to students. Recently we had a samba workshop at the school provided by a company called ‘Noise Ensemble’.  Our students learned a lot and had great fun in the process! 

Music and the Performing Artsare very rewarding so come along to the department and get involved!