Music & Drama

Music

The Music and Drama department offers a huge range of enjoyable lessons and out-of-lesson activities in a well-equipped purpose-built music and drama studio.

In drama lessons, pupils study theatre through the ages, contemporary issues and drama techniques, as well as looking into script writing, voice control and stage direction. These skills can be taken further in GCSE Expressive Arts, in which students have the opportunity to study two combined Art forms, Drama always being a popular choice in this course which is designed to build on the individual's strengths.

Music lessons consist of basic introduction to different music styles, listening skills and composition technique, all of which become more advanced as they move higher in the school. The lessons are intended to make the subject accessible to all pupils, whether or not they learn an instrument, and to give them basic musical understanding which might encourage them to take up an instrument. At GCSE, pupils learn about the history or music, contemporary music and world music, as well as how to compose music and the elements of solo and ensemble performance. They are trained in all areas to a high standard, giving them an excellent basis of knowledge, whether or not they choose to pursue music further.

Kingsmead offers a wide range of extra-curricular musical opportunities such as choir, string ensemble, recorder group and jamming group and pupils also often form their own musical groups according to what they play. We offer many formal and informal opportunities to perform a wide variety of styles throughout the year, from 'band nights' to musical productions; 'Stars in their Eyes' to the annual Summer Soirée.

Several departments (English, Drama, DT, Media Studies) join together biannually to create the school's musical production which has always proved extremely popular with pupils, staff and parents.

Instrumental lessons are offered by our dedicated and talented team of peripatetic teachers who play an important role in the department.