Music

At Francis Holland, we believe in fostering a love for music in every individual, encouraging them to explore their musical interests, and providing them with the opportunities to excel in their musical journey.

As well as a stimulating curriculum, the Music Department is featured extensively in our co-curricular programme and two thirds of pupils partake in individual music lessons, taking ABRSM music examinations.

The calendar is packed with musical performances, competitions and concerts for both our keenest musicians and the wider FHS community. Throughout the year we enjoy:

FHS Musician of the Year Competition
Music Scholars’ Concert
UIV Opera Workshops with the Royal Opera House
Open Concerts
Chamber Music Concert
Autumn Concert
Sing and Swing Jazz Concert
Music Lectures at Harrow School
Junior Concert
GCSE and A Level Performers’ Concert
Joint Concert with Harrow School
Inter-House Music Competition
Summer Leavers’ Concert

We have also recently performed the opera Dido and Aeneas in our commitment to provide performing opportunities for our most able singers.

The Music Department which underwent a transformational renovation in 2021, is situated on the top floor of the Ivor Place site and features seven soundproof music practice rooms and two spacious teaching classrooms.

Curriculum

In the first three years all pupils are allocated a double lesson of class music per week. Practical performance is key to all that is learnt in music, together with composition and listening and appraising music in its historical context. Every pupil performs a solo each term in the class concert.

Thirds (Year 7)

In the first term basic music theory is covered and pupils learn about the instruments of the orchestra, blues and jazz, and World music. In the second term, all pupils learn to play African drums and then learn about Blues and Jazz. In the third term, pupils study and perform Folk music of the British Isles.

Lower Fourth (Year 8)

Throughout the year, the key characteristics of music from the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th century eras are studied using the scale as a concept for building music. Practical activities dominate this study of Western Classical music. In the third term, the music of India and China is explored.

Upper Fourth (Year 9)

In the first term, musicals, music for film and an extended individual composition for writing the music for an advert are covered. In the second term popular music from 1950s to present day is studied and performed leading to another extended group composition of a pop song. In the third term, electronic music is explored.

GCSE (Years 10 – 11)

Music is popular choice at GCSE and students benefit from the teachings of our talented staff. Students perform one solo and one ensemble, compose two contrasting compositions and develop their listening and appraising skills with the study of prescribed set works, historical eras and World music. The music department has a suite of 17 computers equipped with the Sibelius music notation programme for composition work and all pupils are regularly encouraged to perform in school concerts.

A Level (Year 12 – 13)

At A Level, students benefit from small teaching groups and therefore greatly develop skills in performing, composing, listening and appraising in greater detail. A recital is prepared and performed publicly for which students also write a detailed investigation and report on the repertoire covered. For the listening and appraising examination, set works are analysed and studied in detail featuring music from the 16th to the 21st centuries. At the start of their final Summer term at FHS, our A Level musicians perform in their very own Leavers’ Concert where their musical life at Francis Holland is celebrated with teachers, peers and family.

Beyond The Classroom

The Music Department runs a number of musical groups, catering for different musical interests and levels of performance. There are four different choirs in the school with the Senior and Junior Choirs open to anyone in the relevant part of the school to join. All the choirs sing a range of traditional and modern songs and always perform at school concerts and Church services. An annual choir tour takes place in October with pupils most recently visiting Venice.

There is a Chamber Choir for both the Junior School and Senior School; members of these choirs join by audition and they have opportunities to sing at outside venues as well as at school events. The school has a long association with Harrow School, performing in two choral works per year.

There are numerous instrumental groups including a Flute Group, String Quartets, Cello Group, Guitar Ensemble and Synchronicity (who perform music from film and popular music). These groups are by audition or invitation. The Senior Orchestra is for musicians at Grade 4 and above with our Junior Orchestra suiting those from beginner level.

The music department has taken part in partnerships with Voces8 Foundation, including the Young Leaders programme with schools in Westminster.

Resources

The Music Department is well-resourced with two class teaching rooms and seven music practice rooms. There are upright pianos in each of the music rooms and the school boasts two grand pianos. The school has a harpsichord and access to the organ at St Cyprian’s Church (over the road from the school), as well as some orchestral instruments, guitars and electric guitars. There is a full array of percussion instruments including a full set of authentic djembe drums, a samba kit and a set of ukuleles. There are 20 PCs in the music department all with Sibelius Ultimate and Cubase.

Music and Organ Scholarships

We offer music scholarships to our most able and talented music students. There is an application process where candidates will perform a piece on their first study instrument and their second study, if the have one, or sing and undertake some short aural tests and sight-reading.

Music Scholarships are available at 11+ and 16+; more information is available here.

An Organ Scholarship is awarded every year to a current pupil (Year 8 and above) who is an advanced piano player of at least Grade 6 standard. The scholarship covers the cost of organ lessons (situated in neighbouring St Cyprian’s Church) until Sixth Form.