Music at Brambletye
Music plays a very important role in life at Brambletye and the Music Department promotes the enjoyment of music for children of all ages and abilities. This is evident through the impressive range of ensembles on offer, and confirmed by the eagerness and enthusiasm of the children that take part. The school has outstanding facilities, including a purpose built Arts Centre, comprising a large theatre and Music Department which houses many rooms for instrumental practice. Pupils receive class music lessons in the department every week through which they learn about a variety of musical styles as well as having a number of opportunities for practical music making.
Individual tuition is currently available on the violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, oboe, recorder, trumpet, cornet, trombone, euphonium, French horn, piano, drums, voice, and harp, though we are always willing to cater for new interests as well! All pupils learning an instrument are expected to practise on a daily basis.
Our lunchtime ensembles include a huge Swing Choir, a small and select Chapel Choir, a large Orchestra, a Samba Band, African Drumming and Caribbean Steel Pans. With the exception of the orchestra, all of these groups are open to every child, regardless of whether he or she has individual music lessons. Children can join and perform with the orchestra from their very first term of receiving lessons.
Drama is an activity enjoyed by pupils throughout the school and major productions are staged in our theatre on a regular basis. In March 2009 we became the first school in the world to perform the musical, ‘The Likes of Us’ by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. We were honoured to be joined by Sir Tim Rice for one of the evenings and he congratulated the entire cast on the very high standard of performance.
The Blencowe Talent Award is available to boys and girls who show particular potential in one of music, art, or drama. The award for musicians offers free music tuition in two instruments for the duration of the pupil’s education at Brambletye. Examiners will look for music potential as well as for existing achievement. There are no written papers: the three requirements being the playing of two pieces, aural tests and sight reading on one or more instruments. A strong singing voice would be an additional recommendation. Candidates are encouraged to prepare a song and will be asked to sing at sight. All applicants must be aged between 7 and 11 as of 1st September of the academic year of application. The Blencowe Talent Award can be supplemented by a Foundation Bursary, based upon the financial circumstances of the candidate’s family.
For more information on any aspect of music at Brambletye please contact Mrs Rachel Selleck (Director of Music) on 01342 321004 9 245 or alternatively email music@brambletye.com