Music

Music is an important part of school life and offers many opportunities for pupils to develop skills, interests and talents. The subject is taught from Nursery through to Prep 6 and is enriched by a range of extra-curricular activities and lessons. Music is part of the Nursery curriculum and is taught by the Head of the Foundation stage. A music specialist teaches each class fron Prep 1 upwards.

Large scale events such as the Carol Service and the Summer Musical offer all pupils the opportunity to perform for an audience as part of a large group.

Choirs
There are two choirs at Notre Dame Prep School. All pupils from Preps 1 and 2 sing in the Lower School Choir and, from Prep 3 upwards, pupils may opt to join the Upper School Choir which performs at the Carol Service at St John's Cathedral, at Open Days, the Easter Concert and at the Norfolk County Music Festival.

Recorders
Pupils in Preps 3. 4, 5 and 6 are able to learn the recorder as an optional activity. Individual ABRSM exams may be taken if required, but pupils also have the opportunity to play for their own enjoyment or to perform as part of a group in Assemblies. Open Days, the Christmas Carol Service and the Easter Concert.

Ukulele
An informal ukulele group meets once a week offering pupils the opportunity to learn the basics of the instrument and to perform songs for their own enjoyment.

 

Instrumental Lessons
Private instrumental tuition is currently offered on the piano, violin, guitar and woodwind instruments.  Lessons take place during normal timetable hours and are usually arranged on a rota basis, although sometimes arrangements can be made for tuition to take place before school.
Pupils are prepared for and entered for ABRSM examinations when appropriate and encouraged to play solos in Assemblies and Concerts.

Music Ensemble
Instrumentalists have the opportunity to join the Ensemble from an early stage with the music being arranged to suit all abilities.  The Ensemble accompanies the carols at the Christmas Carol Service and plays at various other school events.

Other Events
A Nativity Play is rehearsed and presented by Preps 1 and 2 at Christmas, while the pupils of Preps 3, 4, 5 and 6 all take part in the Summer Musical in July each year. Past productions have included 'Joseph', 'The Pied Piper', 'The Pinafore Pirates', 'Alice' and 'Dream On'.