Music can be magic. It enriches and inspires. It calls for and calls forth all the human virtues: imagination, discipline, teamwork, determination.
Music plays a prominent part in the life of The Dixie Grammar School.
We believe that music is important for itself and for its ability to change how we think, feel and act. We aim to provide all our pupils with access to a range of musical activities and to provide opportunities for them to deepen and broaden their musical interest and skills.
Staff
The department currently includes two full-time and one part-time member of staff together with a visiting team of 11 peripatetic instrumental and vocal staff.
Peripatetic Staff & Lessons
Instrumental and Vocal lessons take place in the Music School. Parents enter into a contract with individual peripatetic staff and the process is supervised by the Head of Music. Most lessons are weekly, half- hour individual sessions but we also offer joint and/or 20 minute lessons where appropriate.
There are 32 lessons per year and the exact number per term may vary with the number of weeks. A term’s written notice of cancellation is required. Most lessons take place during the school day on a rota basis.
Mrs Diana Shair (Upper Strings)
Mr Anthony Calverley (Lower Strings)
Mrs Alison Mitchell and Mr James Moloney (Woodwind)
Mr Jim Norden (Brass)
Mr Andrew Goff (Piano & Keyboard)
Miss Jill Martin (Piano)
Ms Jenny Saunders (Vocal Studies)
Mr Mark Rogers (Guitar)
Mr James Norden (Drums and Percussion)
To discuss your son/daughter's requirements please contact Mrs Sarah Ennis, Director of Music, Tel. 01455 292244 or email music@dixie.org.uk
Music School
The Music School is housed in the Old Bank Building adjacent to the Main school buildings, overlooking Market Bosworth Square. It comprises three teaching rooms the (largest of which is used as a rehearsal room for School ensembles), practice rooms, ICT Suite and instrument store.
Curriculum
In Years 6-9 Music is taught in small groups with an emphasis on practical studies. Students who are learning instruments are encouraged to use them in composing and performing activities. The curriculum covers the three areas of Listening, Performing and Composing, whilst aiming to give students a good grounding in music theory and literacy. Singing is an important part of the curriculum in all years.
Year 6
Work in Year 6 provides a direct link between the Junior School course and Key Stage 3 work. Students use a variety of classroom percussion instruments in composing activities. They are introduced to Instruments of the Orchestra and to the music of China.
Year 7
This year includes work on the topics of ‘Scales’, Impressionism and Programme music. Students also follow our "Dixie Keyboard Course", working at their own pace towards Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates.
Students also follow a theory course which may lead to Associated Board Examinations.
Year 8
The theme this year is Song and Dance. The course encompasses Elizabethan music, Folk music, Ballet, Opera, Musicals and Samba and includes opportunities for composition and performance.
Year 9
This year is an introduction to the GCSE course and includes work on Irregular rhythms, Melody, Chords, 12 bar blues, Symphony and Concerto. Students compose a Christmas song, analyse popular songs and are encouraged to perform in groups using their own instruments where possible. They are expected to make full use of the ICT facilities in their composition work.
GCSE Music
Students study the Edexcel GCSE music course and are encouraged to perform at lunch-time and school concerts throughout the course. A ‘Soiree’ in the Spring term provides an opportunity for parents to see and hear their practical and composing coursework.
AS/A2
The Edexcel AS/A2 music course follows on from the GCSE course. Sixth-form pupils are encouraged to play a large part in extra-curricular activities. Their practical coursework is performed at a recital evening in the Spring term.
Music Scholarships are available. See Scholarships & Bursaries for further information.
Extra-Curricular Activities
In addition to a busy timetable of class teaching from Year 6 to A2 level there is a wide–ranging programme of extra-curricular rehearsals, formal and informal concerts and recitals to cater for the wealth of talent that exists within the school.
Most rehearsals are at lunchtime, but there are also weekly after-school rehearsals on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Instrumentalists are encouraged to join one or more of our ensembles which include:
School Orchestra
Windband (for advanced woodwind and brass)
‘Elastic Band’ (our training windband)
Junior Strings Dixie Brass
Junior Brass Group Dixie Grammaphone (world percussion group)
Several pop and rock groups.
Singing is a strength of the department. The Junior & Boys' Choirs comprises students from Years 6 - 8 and the Senior Choir from Years 9 - 13.
Musical productions alternate bi-annually with an Arts Week which involves the whole school.
Productions
Productions have included 'Bugsy Malone' - please click on 'Bugsy Malone'.
Joint Chinese Concert - a concert with our visitors from our sister school (The Baxian Middle School, Chongqing). An evening of traditional English music combined with chinese singing, dancing and a demonstration of writing in Mandarin. To view photographs click on Concert Performance.
The School is also a Centre for Associated Board practical and theory examinations.
School ensembles frequently take part in local and national music festivals and competitions. Students are encouraged to join area, county and national ensembles and given the opportunity to perform with professional musicians in a variety of workshops and joint concerts. A wide variety of concerts take part throughout the Year.
Community Links
The School also enjoys close musical links with the local community. The School Carol Service takes place in St Peter’s Church, Market Bosworth and the windband provides music for the annual town carol service and ‘late-night shopping’ evenings.
For further information please contact Mrs S Ennis, Director of Music.