f: 020 7638 3212
e: info@clsg.org.uk
City of London School for Girls
St Giles' Terrace, Barbican
London EC2Y 8BB
With the school situated opposite the Barbican Arts Centre and the Guildhall
School
of Music & Drama, music is always in the air at City where we have a large and vibrant music department. Girls can learn a wide range of instruments and there are many opportunities for performing in the
Orchestra, Choir, String Orchestra, Gospel Choir, Recorder Group, Windband, or one of numerous ensembles.
There are two large music rooms equipped with computers running Sibelius and Cubase software and keyboards for class work. The department also has 8 teaching / practice rooms and an on-site 24 channel recording studio. Concerts generally take place in the Main Hall, which houses a Steinway Concert Grand.
Scholarships are available to gifted musicians at Year 7 and 12.
KEY STAGE 3
Students gain an excellent grounding in the various disciplines of music including performance, aural and composition.
They learn about the or
chestra, and have practical lessons on trumpet, French horn, bassoon, harp and percussion. Students also learn musical language and terminology, while studying popular classics. Students also study pitch and rhythmic notation and experiment with various genres including romantic period, TV jingles, movie soundtracks, world music and Baroque period.
GCSE
Music students develop aural, performing and composing skills. Aural lessons cover a broad range of activities, from notating rhythms and melodies, to questions on a wider range of music, from the baroque period to the present day, including ethnic, "pop" music, and jazz.
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For the performance element, students prepare two individual pieces, with marks awarded for standard of performance and the level of difficulty of the piece itself, as well as performing in an ensemble.
Composition is by far the most challenging aspect, as the syllabus caters for just about every form and method of composition.
The composing and singing is fun but you also need to manage the theory and history. Being a competent instrumentalist helps but is not a magic key.
Sarah
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Curriculum Enrichment
Although it is not essential, we recommend that the minimum requirements before taking this course should be Grade 4-5 theory and practical Associated Board music examinations
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SIXTH FORM
Students develop a real love and understanding of music as they study the great masters, writing compositions, develop aural awareness and build upon performing skills. However, music cannot be studied in isolation and other subjects including philosophy, culture and religion are also discussed. This is a good starting point for further study at all universities and colleges and a good grounding for a career in performing.
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The advantage with Music AS is that curricular and extra-curricular music often overlap. Lessons are relaxed but challenging and it is really a case of learning a new thing everyday. Harmony work is difficult, and I did not realise how important it was until I really understood it and was able to recognise various harmonisations. Composition is also hard work, but you get a real sense of achievement when you have worked so hard on something and you are pleased with the outcome.
Alice
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The digitalisation of music is now a well developed and established procedure. So along with more traditional methods, we encourage our students to manipulate and produce music using PCs running Cubase and Sibelius software. There are opportunities to use ICT in all year groups, particularly at GCSE and AS level. Students may use sequencing techniques, digital recording and signal processing in the preparation and presentation of compositions. They may also use technology to create CDs of their work and also produce printed scores of their pieces.
Throughout the syllabus, girls will appreciate the impact that ICT has had on music over the last few decades. They will also be exposed to the new range of possibilities that have been opened up to the composer and will experience different types of electronic and synthesised sounds. They will see how advances in global communication have led to hybrid styles where musicians from one culture have been exposed to the sounds and instruments of another.
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