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. The lower floor of the department offers a well-sized classroom, office, store, computer studio and five practice rooms. The open-air amphitheatre outside the building can seat an audience of about 700.
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 instruments, including Chopi marimbas, djembes, and a drum kit. We have quality guitars, basses, electric guitars, an electric piano, keyboards, seven acoustic pianos, a double bass, saxophones, 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 system. We also have five dual core computers running Sibelius 4, Reason and Cubase software in a dedicated music IT suite.
The Staff
Head of Department Samuel Wilkinson 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 from within the school, others from the local community. They are:
Mr. Phila Masuku – Guitar and bass
Mr. Mbuso Vilakati Guitar and bass
Mr. Chikwanada Chisenga – guitar
Mr. Karl Muller – Clarinet
Mr. Elijah Eze – Saxaphone
Joel – Drums
Ms Trish Young - Flute, voice
Mr. Tondayi Chinyanga – piano, marimbas
Stephen Kaleebu – piano
The Curriculum
The curriculum is designed to be a practical music-making experience. Hands-on involvement in creating, practising, composing, performing and listening to music is at the centre of all we do. We believe in providing students with the opportunity 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 1 and 2, students have a double lesson 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 3, Music becomes an optional subject. Students attend a double and two single lessons each week. One lesson is 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 4 and 5, we follow the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education(IGCSE) syllabus, a rigorous and exciting course that focuses on composition, performing, theory and listening. Students specialise 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 International Baccalaureate level, the course is a blend of practical activities (composing and performing remain central) and musicological development. There are various permutations that students can choose between, and many different kinds of musicians are catered for. More details are available from the IBO website .
Instrumental Lessons
About a hundred students currently 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 one-on-one basis. If a student receives a bursary to attend Waterford and is studying Music at Form 3 or above, 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. These include the school choir, various marimba groups, and various rock, pop, reggae and jazz groups.
There also many other groups that 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, which showcases the developing work of students. We have smaller concerts that focus on particular groups. We also have concerts and workshops presented by visiting artists.
