MUSIC
At Robert Bruce we take music very seriously, as has been recognised by our successful achievement of Arts mark
Status.
Peripatetic lessons for violin, viola, cello, double bass, drums,
piano, keyboard, guitar, flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, bassoon,
trumpet, cornet, trombone, euphonium, French horn and tuba are available
through the school in partnership with Bedfordshire Music Services. Pupils
from Robert Bruce have opportunities to join with those from other schools
to participate in workshops leading to performances, targeted at specific
instruments.
The school also offers a wide range of extracurricular provision.
Over the year we are run a key stage two and a key stage three keyboard
club where pupils can develop their skills. We run percussion clubs,
recorder clubs and a choir all of which are open to all of pupils. We also
run a year seven and a year eight club targeting gifted and talented
pupils. Not to exclude those who prefer listening to music rather than
making it, we run a CD/MP3 listening club on Friday lunchtime.
When celebrating Black
History Month we were fortunate enough to have three Ghanaian musicians
visit the school and perform for all pupils .As a school we celebrated
national music week and each key stage three pupil received a record
voucher. We have received visits from a range of artists including Jay
Sean, Mark Joseph, Koopa, Hypo Psycho, City
Girls, Laura Critchley, BubbelG
and The Days Pupils were able to hear the artists perform and ask questions
about the music business. We have previously had visits from the county
percussionist, a military fife and drum marching band, a brass ensemble and
an Indian drumming group.
This year our year fives are
soon to be preparing for a Christmas performance of songs to parents. We
currently run two main music concerts through the year, one at Christmas
and one in the summer. Music also features heavily in our combined arts
concert in the Easter term.
The school is very proud of its’ Steel Pan Bands. Currently
pupils within years seven and eight receive specialist teaching.The
steel pan bands have recently visited Daubeney School to perform for their year
fives, played for the Mayor at The Addison Centre and played at the local
rugby grounds for an interschool tournament. All pupils in years seven and
eight also get to do two class based units on the steel pans.
We are excited to be entering the second year of our school band.
Last year we developed the strings within the school and this year have
added woodwind and brass sections. We hope for Christmas and the summer
concert to have something exciting to show.
Within the curriculum we ensure pupils have access to all four
strands of the national curriculum-performing, composing, listening and
evaluating. The school’s scheme of work reflects government
requirements and covers music from a variety of times and places.
Pupil’s have opportunities within lessons to develop skills on tuned
and untuned percussion- especially the
glockenspiel, recorders and keyboards.
We have recently begun to teach a musical futures inspired
curriculum which has a strong rock school focus. All pupils will have
opportunity to work on electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboards and
vocals in these units.
As a school we are very well resourced. The PTA generously purchased
our steel drums for us enabling pupils to experience performing West Indian
music. We have purchased a full set of Samba drums and related percussion
which will enable us to play Brazilian music. The music room is equipped
with a wide range of tuned and untuned percussion
and we have a well resourced keyboard suite.
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