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Music Department
The Space
 In early 2007, the Music department moved into the newly built Jane Holland Centre for Creative Learning. Built in memory of Jane Holland, this magnificent building looks over the school’s playing fields to the mountains beyond. Outside the building is an open air amphitheatre with seating for some 700. Inside, the whole of the lower floor is the Music department, where we find a good sized classroom, an office, a store, a computer studio and five practice rooms.
Our Resources
Due to the generosity and hard work of our great supporters, Michael Jarvis and Michael Holland, and the generosity and trust of the Clothworkers’ Association of London, we have a department that, in international terms, is extremely well resourced. We have a range of percussion including Chopi marimbas, good djembes, and a good drum kit. We have quality guitars, basses, electric guitars, an electric piano, keyboards, seven acoustic pianos, a double bass, saxes, trumpets and a trombone, a beautiful marimba set, a full backline of quality amplification, an excellent Yamaha 16 channel mixing desk and a superb PA. We also have five dual core computers running Sibelius 4, Reason and Cubase software in a dedicated music IT suite.
The Staff
Mark Bradshaw is Head of Department and has overseen the development of the department since 2004. He teaches curriculum music throughout the school’s age range. Trish Young also teaches curriculum music. In addition, we have a number of instrumental teachers who teach part time. Some are teachers from within the school, others come from the local community. They are;
Trish Young - voice and flute
Tendai Chinyanga - piano and marimbas
Chisenga Chikwanda - guitar and bass
Phila Masuku - guitar and bass
Mbuso Vilakati - guitar and bass
Stephen Kaleebu - piano
Desmond Ngwenya - piano
Mduduzi Matsenjwa - drums
Carla Cabrita - piano
Dominique Cave - clarinet and saxophone
Elijah Eze - saxophone
Mark Bradshaw - flute, guitar, piano
The Curriculum
The curriculum is designed to be a practical music-making experience. Hands-on involvement in creating, practicing, composing, performing and listening to music is at the centre of all we do. We believe in providing opportunity for all students to develop their abilities and their capabilities to the fullest. We acknowledge that there are many kinds of musicians, and many ways to become a musician.
 In forms one and two, students have a double lesson of music once a week. Lessons are almost all practical, and experiential. They explore topics such as;
- Sound and Music
- Why do Composers Compose?
- Singing around the World
- Chords and Harmony
- Rhythmic and Melodic Ostinato
- Structure and Form
In form three, Music becomes an optional subject. Students attend a double and two single lessons. One lesson becomes a dedicated theory lesson, with all students studying to reach Grade 2 ABRSM by the end of the year. The other lessons are largely practical. They explore topics such as;
- Advanced Chords and Harmony
- Melody, Scale and Tonality
- Texture and Timbre
- The Blues
- Reggae
- Indian Music
In forms four and five, we follow the Cambridge IGCSE syllabus, a rigorous and exciting course that focuses on composition, performing, theory and listening. Students specialize on an instrument or voice, compose three substantial pieces and take an exam that explores their knowledge of a wide range of music. Curriculum details are available on the Cambridge IGCSE website.
At IB, the Music course is a blend of practical activities (composing and performing remain central), and musicological development. There are various permutations that students can choose, and many different kinds of musicians are catered for. More details are available from the IBO website.
Instrumental Lessons
Currently, approximately a hundred students receive instrumental lessons from a range of staff on a range of instruments. Due to our location, we cannot always provide the specialists we would like to. We can always provide piano, guitar and bass lessons. We can usually provide drum kit, flute, clarinet, trumpet and saxophone lessons and often provide voice lessons.
Lessons are always given on a 1:1 basis, and they cost 90 emalangeni. If a student receives a bursary to attend Waterford and is studying Music at Form 3 or above, then lessons are free.
Each year, we enter students for Associated Board exams. We are the centre for ABRSM examinations in Swaziland.
Activities, Choirs and Ensembles
The Music department offers a range of group activities where students can share their musical experience with others. There are some permanent activities. These include;
- The junior and senior school choirs. These are conducted by Trish Young and by Carla Cabrita.
- Various marimba groups, taught and conducted by Mark Bradshaw and Tendai Chinyanga.
- The Waterford Jazz Band conducted by Mark Bradshaw.
- Various rock, pop, reggae and jazz groups, rehearsed by various people.
 There also many other groups who come together at different times of the year. IB students often work in small ensembles. Cross curricular activities are encouraged and developed. We often work with the Drama department to provide music for performances.
The school puts on a variety of concerts and musical events throughout the year. We have a major concert each term that showcases the developing work of students. We have smaller concerts that focus on particular groups. We have concerts and workshops given by visiting artists. We often work with Alliance Francais to this end. We occasionally perform outside of school too. Recently we provided the music for the European Union in Swaziland at their celebration of Europe Day and at the prestigious event at the South Afriban British High Commision in Pretoria.
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