Senior Curriculum - Music

Music has the power of producing a certain effect on the moral character of the soul, and if it has the power to do this, it is clear that the young must be directed to music and must be educated in it.

Aristotle (384 - 322 B.C.)

It’s true! Recent scientific research in America has proved that listening to music really does make you clever! At Peterborough High School you will be given the opportunity to test this theory out by listening to music - in the classroom or at one of the regular concert visits - and by writing and performing your own compositions. Sounds hard? By using the comprehensive computer technology and a small amount of keyboard knowledge you will be able to write a twelve-bar blues, for example, and hear it played back to you instantaneously. You don’t like the instrumentation? Change it with the sequencer - you have hundreds of different sounds to choose from. Composition is a particular strength for many of our pupils and musicians have won both local and national competitions with their works.

At G.C.S.E. and A level you will be able to develop not only your proficiency at composition but also your analytical and listening skills. There will be the chance to perform in front of an audience and you will be encouraged to join one of the Choirs or Orchestra to supplement your playing and singing experiences. Our girls have been offered Choral Scholarships at Cambridge and the opportunity to sing in the Chapel Choir at school gives them a great chance to sample the wonderful sacred choral repertoire for which Great Britain is famous.

There is plenty of other extra-curricula music, too. The Vocal Ensemble has visited France, performing at Notre Dame Cathedral, Chartres Cathedral and on the Fantasy Stage at EuroDisney; the Orchestra plays throughout the Peterborough area at many charity events and concerts.

Performances in local and national music festivals are also part of our work and we have had considerable success with many of our ensembles in all age groups at the Peterborough Festival of Music. Soloists have also had great success in both performance and composition.

Over 60% of the school have instrumental or singing lessons. Whatever instrument you play we have a professional tutor to teach you individually or in groups and all instrumentalists are encouraged to perform regularly in chamber ensembles. Our excellent teachers follow the syllabus of the Associated Boards of the Royal Schools of Music and you may take one of these examinations if you wish. Our success rate is extremely high with over 99% of our candidates passing, many of them with merits and distinctions.

Some like to be inventive in their music making too. At this year’s Christmas assembly our very own Year 11 chamber group decided to form their own ensemble using the contents of their Christmas crackers in a highly imaginative manner.Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will never be forgotten by anyone in attendance we are sure!

Aristotle certainly knew what he was talking about all those years ago. Whether it is in a classroom, performing with the orchestra, a choir or a chamber group, impromptu or otherwise, making music can be fun.

Mike Vessey
Director of Music, Peterborough High School (2003 A.D.)