Music plays an important part in the life of pupils at Clifton High with emphasis placed on practical experience and the development of key musical skills.
Creativity is encouraged through singing and playing instruments and pupils develop technical skills on a wide range of classroom instruments including keyboards and guitars. They are also encouraged to use their own instruments in composition and performance projects. Pupils develop skills in listening and appraising by learning to make discerning comments about music from a wide variety of musical genres as well as commenting constructively on their own and other pupils' work.
A growing number of pupils take individual instrumental lessons and the department offers lessons in all the orchestral instruments as well as piano, acoustic and electric guitar, drum kit and singing. Music can be studied at GCSE and A level with a strong emphasis placed on practical performance and composition.
The Music department has recently been equipped with Apple Mac computers and music technology now plays an important part in the delivery of the music curriculum. Pupils can use Garage Band, Logic and Sibelius programmes to create and notate their own musical compositions which are particularly useful for GCSE and A level coursework.
The department runs several extra-curricular activities and pupils are encouraged to get involved in making music outside of the classroom. Large ensembles include Cantata, Senior Chamber Choir, Orchestra and Wind Band. There are also a number of smaller ensembles which include Flute group and Guitar group. Musicians have opportunities to perform in two formal concerts each year as well as smaller informal Musical Soirées and assemblies. Each year there is an opportunity for musicians to be involved in a school production in collaboration with the Drama department and iIn addition the annual Carol service and Rose Day service provide prestigious performance occasions.
There is also an active Choral Society which meets weekly from September to February in preparation for a concert in March. This combines the Senior Chamber Choir with parents, staff and friends of the school. Everyone is welcome!
Please do ask for a leaflet about individual musical tuition.