Music is an integral part of life at Holy Cross Prep. All girls are given the opportunity to learn an instrument and take part in the varied musical activities on offer.

 

Class activities focus on performance, listening skills and composition. All girls have two lessons a week, which include activities such as singing and playing instruments. Years 2 -4 learn to play the recorder.

 

All girls perform at Christmas and there are annual musical plays performed by Year 5 and Year 6 girls. There are infant department and junior department concerts during the year with emphasis on the performing arts. There are also many other opportunities to perform in class, assembly, Mass or in concerts in groups or as solo performers. Visits to musical events locally and in London, including The Royal Opera House and Wimbledon Theatre are regularly arranged.

 

A wide range of extra curricular activities include orchestra, choir, string group, jazz group, brass ensemble, flute group and guitar group. These activities are supported or led by the team of visiting peripatetic teachers who teach the following instruments: piano, violin, flute, ‘cello, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone and cornet. Over half the girls in the school have instrumental lessons at school on a rota basis.  Each peripatetic teacher has a pupils’ concert during the academic year.

 

We are also proud to hold an evening of music where soloists of the highest standard in the school and all the ensemble groups are invited to perform to the delight of family and friends.

 

Visiting teachers come to school to run a ‘Strings Masterclass’ for our girls and any interested students from neighbouring schools to enhance their ensemble playing skills.

Girls take Associated Board music exams for the different instruments and there is a ‘ladder’ showing their progress in taking their grades.

 

For many years our girls have been successful in winning music scholarships to senior schools which include LEH, Surbiton High, Guildford High, and Claremont Fan Court.

 

The girls are looking forward to the opening of the new performing arts building which will give the school a wonderful place in which to perform. A new music suite is also being built, with a music classroom and 4 teaching rooms for the peripatetic teachers. This will of course enable us to extend the number of instruments that are taught at Holy Cross.

 

Music is always active and very practical with enjoyment of the subject being a primary objective. Lively and busy is the musical life of a girl at Holy Cross Prep!