Music at Queen Anne’s School is very much alive and kicking!  We have a thriving and busy Music programme which has plenty to offer aspiring musicians.  Music is a compulsory curricular subject until Year 10 when it becomes a GCSE option and, in L6, an A Level option.  Approximately two-thirds of the school learn a musical instrument and many take part in choirs and orchestras.

The aim of the music department at Queen Anne’s is to give girls a working knowledge of the skills of Music – Performing, Listening and Composing. We seek to improve their skills in each of these areas as well as to introduce and develop those who may not have been exposed to this at their previous schools.

THE DEPARTMENT

Director of Music: Mr John Padley
Assistant Director of Music: Mr Ben Giddens
Head of KS3 Music and Vocal Studies: Mr Mark Bushby
Music: Miss Tatjana Ognjenovic
Music: Mr Mark Richards (Deputy Head – Academic)

Music at Queen Anne’s is a central part of the life of the school. There are over forty performances annually, ranging from large-scale orchestras such as ‘The Academy of St Martin in the Fields’ and The Fine Arts Ensemble visiting the school, to the girls performing at London concert halls such as St John Smith’s Square, Westminster Abbey and Spittalfields to informal workshops by visiting professionals such as Voces 8. The range of music-making is considerable and the ethos is that it is good to perform, open to all to have a go as well as presenting a consistently high standard. The Music Department seeks to expose the students to all areas of music and the music business by regular visits from composers for film and television and seminars by university lecturers. The sounds from the music department drift across the Quad throughout the day and evening and are a constant reminder that Music at Queen Anne’s is alive and kicking!

The music department is well-equipped with 20 practice rooms, two rehearsal spaces, a recording studio and a classroom including an Apple Mac suite.

EXTRA CURRICULUR ACTIVITIES

The Music Department has three full-time staff and 21 visiting music teachers who cover the full range of orchestral instruments, keyboard and guitar. Approximately two-thirds of the school learn a musical instrument and many take part in choirs and orchestras.

During the week the following groups meet:

• Chamber Choir
• Consort Choir
• Lower School Choir
• Sinfonia Orchestra
• Chamber Orchestra
• Wind Ensemble
• Flute Group
• Swing Band
• Junior Orchestra
• Saxaholics
• Close Harmony Group
• Trumpet Group
• Music Technology Workshop
• Theory and Aural tests surgeries
• Glee Club

There are regular concert opportunities throughout the year and groups perform outside school in places like Westminster Abbey, Reading Minster, Oxford and St John’s Smith Square. The Choir and Chamber Orchestra have toured in Venice and Paris.

The Professional Concerts series has seen the Fine Arts Brass Ensemble, the OXUS Quartet and the Bright Stars of Jazz giving concerts and workshops with students from Queen Anne’s and other schools. VOCES8, the professional vocal octet have been working with our students on vocal technique and performance. We have strong musical links with The Oratory and Shiplake College. Students also attend concerts in London and Reading. Reading Symphony Orchestra rehearses at the school and it is possible for advanced players to join in with them.

Academic Music is taught at both GCSE and A level using the IGCSE, EDEXCEL, and OCR specifications. It is also possible to take A level Music Technology as we have excellent facilities for recording and sequencing.

See Music in Action

The annual Queen Anne’s School Carol Service at Dorchester Abbey.

Queen Anne’s Chamber Choir rehearsing with professional singing group VOCES8 during a musical residential weekend.