Music Department
Prince Henry’s High School has a very active Music Faculty and provides pupils with many various high quality musical opportunities.
In 2009/2010, there were over 170 pupils who took individual or group instrumental music. The school has 13 peripatetic teachers, delivering around 170 individual/group music lessons every week, plus 2 full time teachers for the whole school’s music curriculum lessons. Every year this number grows. The faculty is managed by Mr Phill Bullas who is ably assisted by Miss Rebekah Uzzell
Through regular school newsletters and website news, we aim to increase communications between the school and parents with news of achievements, activities and future events. The Chamber Orchestra and Big Band has nearly 40 members each and there are around 8 additional ensembles, bands and choirs in the school, which illustrates the tremendous vitality of this faculty. New members are always welcome in the ensembles, so if you know of someone not already in the Band, ask them to come along to a band practice to give one a try.
KS3
At Key Stage 3 pupils look at musical topics which aim to help pupils develop the following musical skills:
• UNDERSTANDING of different musical styles.
• PERFORMANCE of many different instruments and the voice.
• IMPROVISATION in many genres.
• GROUP COMPOSITIONS
• COMPOSITION SKILLS
• VOCABULARY; Using the correct musical language.
• SINGING. We place big importance on using the voice correctly.
The specific topics covered in each year of KS3 are listed below.
Term 1 – 1st Half: The Elements of music – Bridging Unit.
Term 1 – 2nd Half: Melody – Christmas music.
Term 2 – Instruments of the Orchestra – ‘A hands on’ approach.
Term 3 – 1st Half: Music in the Media
Term 3 – 2nd Half: Popular music
KS4
At Key stage 4 students follow the OCR GCSE Music syllabus which breaks down into 3 assessed areas. Listening, Performing and composing. Areas of Study include - Area of Study 1: My music (spotlight on my instrument), Area of study 2: shared music – musical relationships and their roles. Area of study 3: dance music and Area of study 4: Descriptive music. Assessment is ongoing with performances recorded at the end of year 10 and Easter of year 11, composition tasks set under ‘controlled’ assessment and a listening examination in June of Year 11.
KS 5
At key stage 5 students follow the AQA AS and A2 syllabus. This is divided into 6 units - 3 covered in year 12 and 3 in year 13. Composition, analytical and performance skills are all addressed in this music syllabus.
Extra-Curricular Music activities.
JAZZ IMPROVISATION GROUP
rehearsals on Monday lunchtime with Mr. Moody
PHHS Big Band (on audition)
rehearsals every Monday 4.00-5.15pm with Mr. Bullas/Mr Moody
BOYS BARBERSHOP GROUP
rehearsals every Tuesday lunchtime with Mr Bullas/Mr Painter
(all male voices welcome)
Year 9/10 showchoir.
Rehearsals every Tuesday lunchtime with Miss Uzzell
(all year 9/10 singers welcome)
CHAMBER CHOIR (on audition)
rehearsals every Tuesday 4.00 -5.15pm with Mr Bullas/Mr Painter/Miss Uzell
PHHS STRING ENSEMBLE
rehearsals on Wednesday lunchtime with Mr. Neville
CLARINET CHOIR
rehearsals every Wednesday lunchtime with Mrs Watson
PHHS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (On audition)
rehearsals every Wednesday 4.00-5.15pm with Mr Neville
FLUTE CHOIR
Rehearsals every Thursday lunchtime with Miss Uzzell
(All Flautists)
BIG BAND 2
Rehearsals every Thursday after school 4.00 – 5.15pm with Mr BullaS
BRASS ENSEMBLE
Rehearsals on Friday lunchtime with Mr Hattersely
MASSED STUDENT VOICE
All GCSE/AS/A2/Vocal students plus others
Rehearsals on Friday lunchtime with Mr Painter/Mrs Joynes
