Staff
- Mr Howard Griffin – Director of Music
- Mr John Swindells – Teacher of Music
- Mrs Alexandra Wynne – Singing
- Mr Philip Brookes – Woodwind
- Mrs Judith Zarzycka – Woodwind
- Mrs Sara Wilson – Woodwind
- Miss Helen Griffiths – Strings
- Miss Anna Chippendale – Strings
- Miss Erica Newton – Strings
- Mr James Griffiths – Guitar
- Mr Matt D’Netto – Guitar
- Mr Peter Fisher – Brass
- Mrs Martha Ann Brookes – Brass
- Mr Matt Firkins – Percussion
A Music Department for Aspiring Musicians
The Music Department is located in the Eyles Music Centre, a newly refurbished building comprising several well-resourced classrooms, a computer suite, one ensemble room, six rehearsal rooms for instrumental music teaching, a recording studio, two instrument storage facilities, a music common room and a central office. Music is compulsory for all pupils in years 7 to 9. We teach AQA for both GCSE and A-level, 8271 and 7272 specifications respectively, with A-level successes helping establish our growing alumni.
We do our very best to stretch and challenge individuals in lessons and have high expectations for examination achievement. Results have been excellent in recent years:
ABRSM, Trinity & Rockschool
Beyond the curriculum, we hold numerous practical music examinations each term with over 80 candidate entries over the course of the year. Our current achievement average is a Merit.
Each year, we have a large number of pupils successfully audition for and participate in local Birmingham Schools Ensembles, theatre productions and National Ensembles. Our own extracurricular program comprises:
Symphony Orchestra: for experienced players who have achieved grade 5 and above.
Chamber Choir: a four-part choir open to pupils from years 7 to 13. An ability to sight-sing helpful but not essential.
Young Voices Choir: a training choir for pupils from years 7 to 9.
Chamber Ensemble: for our best string players.
Training Orchestra: for all pupils who play an orchestral instrument up to grade 5 standard.
Swing Band: for woodwind and brass players who have achieved grade 3 or higher.
Clarinet Ensemble: for our able clarinetists.
Rockband: popular student-led ensembles rehearsing after school.
Flute Choir: for our able flautists.
Senior Classical Guitar Ensemble: four our most able guitarists
Training Classical Guitar Ensemble: a training ensemble for beginner guitarists up to grade 4.
Electric Guitar Ensemble: for our electric guitarists.
Swing Band: for experienced players with an interest in jazz and swing.
Samba Band: a Brazilian percussion ensemble open to all pupils, especially percussionists.
Barbershop: a student-led ensemble. There have been many Barbershop quartets over the last ten years, with several members going on to sing in the Oxford Commas and others winning national competitions.
Since 2010, we have staged five full-scale musical productions and one opera:
- 2010 – Jesus Christ Superstar
- 2013 – Sweeney Todd
- 2015 – Fiddler on the Roof
- 2017 – Dido & Aeneas
- 2019 – Less Miserables
- 2022 – Little Shop of Horrors
We continue to be successful in preparing students for further musical study. Since 2010, pupils have successfully gained places at:
- The Royal College of Music
- The Guildhall School of Music
- The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
- Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
- Leeds Conservatoire
- Goldsmith College London
- Kings College London
- Royal Holloway
- Oxford University
- Durham University
- Cardiff University
- Bristol University
- Birmingham University
We have also been successful in helping pupils achieve Oxbridge choral scholarships.
Instrumental Music Lessons
We offer individual tuition on the full range of orchestra instruments including voice and guitar. Many pupils receive weekly individual instrumental music lessons from a team of 12 specialist teachers. All pupils receiving instrumental lessons in school are expected to join one of our many ensembles and are given regular opportunities to perform in our termly public concerts and recitals. Participation in events is essential in gaining Music Colours, of which there are three awards; Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Other opportunities include concert trips to Symphony Hall and contributions to local concert series. Recent performances include performances at Birmingham’s Grand Central station and Cathedral.