The music department at Taverham Hall School offers all children the opportunity to develop their musical skills and to become involved in music in a practical way. The school has an established tradition of musical excellence. Music is taught to all pupils at the school and involves lots of practical music making including; composing, listening and performance.
The purpose built music block is well equipped with percussion, African drums, keyboards and comfortable practice rooms. Pupils use ICT to enhance their study of music and notate their compositions using Sibelius software.
Ten visiting instrumental specialists provide tuition on a very wide range of instruments and lessons are carefully timetabled to avoid disruption to other school work. Pupils regularly work towards practical and music theory examinations (there is a 100% pass rate)and soloists and ensembles are encouraged to take part in music festivals. One of our African drum ensembles were awarded ‘Outstanding’ at the 2008 Norfolk Music Festival and the Chapel Choir were finalists in the 2009 Barnardo’s National Choir competition at the Royal Festival Hall.
Tuition is provided on the following instruments;
- Flute
- Recorder
- Clarinet
- Oboe
- Saxophone
- Bassoon
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- French Horn
- Piano
- Classical Guitar
- Electric Guitar
- Drum Kit
- African Drum
- Singing
- Music Theory
- Up to three music scholarships offered annually.
- Individual tuition with qualified, CRB checked tutors.
- All lessons take place at school during the school day.
- Termly progress and target reports.
- Performance opportunities in a variety of ensembles at school; Jazz Band, Flute Choir, Oboe Consort, Orchestra, String Ensemble, Guitar Ensembles, African Drum Ensembles, Percussion Club, Recorder Group, Pre-Prep., Junior and Chapel Choirs.
Director of Music: William Drew-Batty MA, QTS, AETC
William Drew-Batty began his musical life as a cathedral chorister and later sang as a professional in opera and oratorio.
He has toured with the band Talk Talk and has composed extensively for young people. He has written two operas, both of whom have been performed at the Norwich Festival, choral and orchestral music.
In 1998 he collaborated with former Beirut hostage, Terry Waite, to compose ‘Songs of Solitude’ which was first performed at Norwich Cathedral.
Visiting Tutors
- Wendy Bailey, L.T.C.L., A.T.C.L., Cert. Ed.: clarinet
- Phil Davison, BSc, Grade 8 Distinction, Rockschool Drums: drum kit
- Andrew Dodd, B.A.(Hons): bass guitar
- Jonathan Dodd, B.A.(Hons): improvised and jazz piano
- Christine Godfrey, NTC Dip., Dip. ABRSM: flute, saxophone, oboe, recorder
- Jonathan Handley, LLCM, ALCM, TEFL: brass
- Paul Hill, Grade 8 guitar, RGT registered, London College of Music examiner; LLCM and FLCM - the new Jazz Guitar performance diplomas – Paul Hill was the first person to pass the FLCM, which is the highest diploma awarded by the London College of Music and Thames Valley University; Author of ‘Paul Hill Guitar Theory & Technique’ book: Classical and jazz guitar, electric guitar
- Lisa Cassidy, BAHons, PGDip, MMus: Coloratura Soprano
- Veronica Wilson, B.A. Hons, LGSM, Dip. Music Theraphy: piano and music theory
- George Weitz, B.A.(Hons), M.Mus: upper strings
- All pupils learning an instrument at school are equipped with a practice log which will provide guidance for weekly practice.
- Lessons are organised on rota so pupils do not miss the same academic lesson each week.
- Pupils receiving tuition at school have priority on the use of practice rooms at school.
- As pupils reach a confident level of performance they are encouraged to join ensembles and to perform in concerts and morning assemblies.
- The school provides the opportunity for pupils to study for theoretical and practical music examinations.
- Pre-prep and Year 3 pupils are escorted to and from lessons.