Music Technology

Head of Music Mr C.S. McIntosh

Music is at the heart of Kent College. The new Music School, opened by Mark Deller in October 2006, has allowed us to develop the subject in much more depth than previously and has given us a base for which the school can feel justifiably proud.

The new department houses state of the art facilities for all aspects of the subject. Our facilities for Music Technology are now amongst the best in the country.

There are over 30 Music Scholars in the school who have been selected on merit through a small audition. Details of how to apply can be obtained from the Registrar (registrar@kentcollege.co.uk).  The Director of Music is always available to parents either during visits to the school or by telephone to answer questions about scholarships or any other musical matter at the school.

Kent College has three full time and one part Music Staff.  There are also 30 visiting instrumental and vocal teachers across the full range of instrumental and voice specialities including harp and organ. Students at our Junior School frequently involve themselves in our work at Kent College.

The Music Department functions across both schools sharing both resources and teaching staff. We are very proud that many of our Music Scholars began their musical life at our own Junior School where the subject is also very strong.

Our approach to Music is firmly rooted in the desire to give our students the broadest range of musical opportunities possible.

All Junior forms (Years 7 -  9) receive class Music lessons each week. From Year 10 the subject is offered at GCSE (this year with two groups in Year 10). In the 6th Form, A Level Music is offered with excellent results over many years.

Recently we have begun to offer Music Technology at A Level and this area is rapidly developing into yet another of the department's strengths.

Our students are involved in many large and small practical music-making opportunities at Kent College. The Symphony Orchestra has over 40 players and performs the great orchestral repertoire. The Senior Choir numbers over 60 voices singing a varied repertoire of large and small musical works.

Younger students are catered for in the large Junior Choir and its smaller more selective cousin, The Choristers, whilst orchestral players play in the large Junior Orchestra, String Ensemble and Wind Band.

Chamber Music work abounds in the school with String Quartets, Wind Quintets, Clarinet and Saxophone Ensembles and many other ad hoc ensembles that play both original and specially composed music.

The department promotes around 30 large and small concerts every year including performances in the Canterbury Festival, an Annual Carol Service in Canterbury Cathedral, annual Autumn, Spring and Summer Concerts in school alongside a wide range of chamber events including 12 lunchtime concerts.  There are annual Music tours and regular productions of Broadway-style musicals.

The Music Department firmly believes in the widest variety or Music and we promote the more popular kinds of music making through our regular Band Nights where student rock and pop bands are encouraged to perform with any funds raised going to local and international charities.

To sum up, Kent College is a school steeped in a strong musical tradition. The Music Department is proud to be carrying that tradition on for current and future generations of its students.

Some Highlights of 2006-2007

October	The opening of the new Music School followed by a Gala Concert. Sophie Dee performed in the Kent Young Musician of the Year competition at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury and was awarded the Conductor's Prize.
December	'Joy to the World', our Annual Christmas concert was given by over 200 students to an audience of well over 500. The Carol Service in Canterbury Cathedral given by two of our choirs is another musical highlight.
February	The International Arts Festival in which the Music Department played a very large and active part.
March	Rock and pop bands performed in Band Night to an excited full house raising close to £750 for charity. An excellent Spring Concert was given by well over 100 students in the Chapel.
May	The Summer Concert included Sophie Dee playing Chopin's Piano Concerto No.1 with Senior Orchestra and Alice Baker and Francesca Mitchison playing Telemann's Concerto for Two Violas. The second half contained a performance of the Mozart Requiem given by Senior Choir Junior Choir travelled to Normandy for its annual tour that also included singing Mass in Rouen Cathedral to a huge congregation.
June	The Junior Summer Concert was given by students below Year 10.The Junior Choir performed in the National Choral Festival in Symphony Hall, Birmingham winning a magnificent report from the adjudicators.