Music and Theory Lessons

In addition to the very high standards which choristers achieve in their daily work in St George’s Chapel, they also play an active part in the musical life of the School. Instrumental and Theoretical work is seen as an important support for their musical development.

Instrumental

As a general rule, choristers would usually undertake to learn two instruments, of which it is advised that one should be the piano. The piano provides an excellent learning basis for all things musical and is a great foundation for work at senior school level, for G.C.S.E. and A and AS level courses. There are, however, exceptions to the rule. For reasons agreed between parents, pupils and the Director of Music, some children do not opt for the piano as one of their two instruments and some choristers, who perhaps join the school as older children, may not study two instruments. Music teachers are required to rotate music lessons throughout the school day to ensure that children do not keep missing the same academic slots in the timetable.

Theory

All choristers have formal theory lessons until they have taken and passed their Grade 5 exam. Music theory as a formal qualification is required at Grade 5 before pupils may continue to Grade 6 instrumentally. Senior schools are always delighted when this qualification has already been achieved at prep school level. Theory lessons are taught within the school timetable alongside the rotating instrumental timetables. Where possible, children are taught in small groups and at lunch time, so as to lesson the impact on the rotations through academic lessons.

Music Practice

There is not a lot of spare time available to choristers during the working week. Music practice is supervised each morning between 7.00 a.m. and 7.35 a.m. in both the Main Building and in Old Bank House. Those children who are beginners on their instruments are encouraged to work for 15 minutes on each. Those who are studying at higher grades alternate their instruments each day. A specially devised daily timetable allows the Director of Music to be in contact will all the children over a three day cycle. The organ scholar and two gap students are on duty with the Director of Music every morning to provide help and encouragement to the boarders.

Clearly 30 minutes is not a great deal of time for pupils working at Grade 6, 7 and 8 levels. These children need to do more, as would those who are preparing for an exam. Additional time is available, also supervised if they so wish, on some evenings during the week. Extra aural and rehearsal time with accompanists may also take place in the evenings.  Theory prep has to be done on Saturdays, either at home or for those who stay in school, in a time set aside by the Housemaster. We would also encourage children to come to the department at lunch time or at the week end when there may be a little more time available for additional work.

It is true that boarders cannot ever be as closely supervised for music practice as they would be were they at home. We simply do not have the available staff but we do make every effort to help them and to let them know that there are adults around in both buildings who can assist and advise. We also make every effort to teach children ‘how to work’ and certainly by Year 6 we do see that many are well on the way to managing their own practice schedule. All music teachers are asked to use the St George’s School Music Notebook and to write quite detailed instructions as to the work which needs to be done between lessons. This is crucial for choristers and boarders who essentially have to learn to organise themselves ... and for those who are attempting to help them!

Payment for Instrumental and Theory Lessons

Music Teachers invoice parents directly for all lessons. Bills need to be paid by the parents. The Choristership does include an allowance for one set of music lessons, paid in accordance with the amount suggested by the school in the model contract. This amount is credited to pupil accounts by the  school. Group theory lessons are charged accordingly. Please see further details about payment in the Instrumental Contract details which are sent to parents by the Music Teacher .