Music at The Academy at Shotton Hall leads students on a journey of creativity and self-expression through the exploration of core knowledge and skills.
Students are encouraged to develop their skills through the use of both traditional and non-traditional instruments as well as the use of music technology to both perform and compose their musical ideas. Musical notation is discovered in its many forms and is applied to the abundance of practical opportunities that the music curriculum demands.
Students enjoy Music because it is varied, fast-paced and fun. Every student is inspired to believe in their potential and to aim high. Throughout their musical career, students develop the ability to perform with accuracy, fluency and expression. They compose music for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences and appraise familiar and unfamiliar pieces of music evaluating their impact, musical quality and purpose.
Across the key stages students explore and manipulate the use of musical elements to produce desired outcomes, perform from a range of notation developing both solo and ensemble performing skills and appraise a diverse range of music of increasing complexity.
Music is a valuable subject for all to study whether you are a gifted musician or have never engaged in music outside of school and here at The Academy at Shotton Hall, musical is a vital part of the school.
The staff that teach music are encouraging, supportive and experts within their own fields. We have an in-house singing teacher and Durham Music Service visit the school each day to deliver individual instrumental lessons to students. Lessons are provided to each student in school who wants them.
There are a number of opportunities to allow each student to perform regularly. School ensembles are essential for our students to grow in confidence and to experience the joys that music can bring through performance. Choir, String Orchestra and Windband are just a few of the many groups we have. Students rehearse throughout the academic year for our final concert at the Glasshouse Gateshead. Each week we also have students performing on the ‘Open Mic stage’ to an audience of over 900 students, and has become a highlight of the musical calendar.