Figure 1.--The tuba is a little big for most prep school childrem, but some of the senior boys are able to have a go at it. |
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An impressive characteristic of most schools is the number of children who sign-up for instrumental tuition. Here the children vary greatly both in takent and dedication. Both the schools and parents actively encourage this. It s not uncommon for more than half the children to take instrumental tuition. Quite a range of instuments are chose, but there are definite favorites, gender being a factor here. Specialist instructors come from outside the school to give these lessons. With so many children working on instruments, finding a place to practice can be a problem. Some schools have better music facilities than others. Of course one problem the schools have is getting gth children, especially the boys to put in the assigned practice time.
All children learn the recorder as a means to cquiring a basic musical skill. After this they are encouraged to take up an orchestral instrument, and free tuition is available to all fr a trial period of a term. As soon as they are ready children join the Training Orchestra, where they learn to play simple pieces together in preparation for membershipin the Senior Orchestra.
Dean Close Junior School Prospectus
There were last minute requests for instrumental lessons--boosting to 98 the number of individual lessons to be timetabled each week. In an ideal world the boys would arrive regularly, punctually and agog with anticipation for their lessons, and would engage in gentlemanly, good natured competitionto secure rooms in which to practice. As no-one is ever in the slightest danger of being trampled to death in the rush to practice we provide for each boya daily, timetabled practice session and a register on which is recorded a) the amount of work he does each day, b) his punctuality at music lessons and c) the school lessons from which he is withdrawn. One persistent offender was taken by the Headmaster (with considerable personal sacrifice) into the Study to practice afyer breakfast every morning.
Fanfare (Mount House School), Autumn 1988
It has been a very satisfactory year for music at Beachborough. Standards continue to improve and I am pleased to report a more dilligent approach to practice has been evident. Sadly, however, there are still one or two lads who need to get down to a concerted effort in that direction. The string section of our littlecorchestra has matured greatly. They play with confidence and are generally accurate. All are most attentive to their practice periods. This is very encouraging. Likewise, I am informed by Mr McBeth, teacher of brass, that he is pleased with most of his pupil's progress. Hopefully he can look forward to the coming academic year when all students can please him thus. The pianists have worked well and there are some quite talented players who, providing they are consistent, shoud do very well.
RHD, The School Record (Beachborough School), September 1979.
The number of boys lerning instruments in school has risen to a most encouraging total of 80, the highest number ever. The Music school, run by Mrs. Braddock on Saturday mornings , thrives with its own orchestra, wind ensemble groups and Junior Percussion Group. Associated Board exams are taken on the premises which is a great advantage and we have been hists to many schools in the area.
The Wheasheaf (Pownall Hall), 1980.
