Music

Studies at Fourth Form level are designed to develop listening, analysis, theory, composition and performance. We place a special emphasis on the use of music technology as an aid to learning.

Lower Four pupils develop their understanding of the basic principles of music theory through a number of integrated projects, including World Music, Music for Advertis­ing and the History of the Orchestra.

Pupils in the Upper Fourth build on this knowledge by considering and performing a wide range of musical styles including Blues, Samba and Music for Film. We encourage pupils to participate in group music- making, with a strong focus on performing in small groups and with the whole class.

Lower Five works as a preparatory year for the GCSE course. Pupils are introduced to the Sibelius computer notation programme and learn some of the funda­mentals of composition such as melody, rhythm and structure, in preparation for their coursework in subsequent years. Meanwhile, they build on their knowledge of theo­ry gained in Fourth Form.

For Middle and Upper Five, the Edexcel GCSE Music course is divided into three topics: Performing (30%) Composing (30%) and Listening (40%). The course requires pupils to study an eclectic mix of music ranging from Bach to John Williams, Purcell to Stephen Schwartz, through the use of eight set works (all printed in a dedicated anthology).

In the same way, diversity is encouraged in Performing and Composing.

Pupils from all musical back­grounds and disciplines can develop their skills throughout this exciting course. Those with, by start of Lower Five, a practical level equivalent to Grade 2-3 or above are well-equipped for the Performing element.

Click here to view the A Level Music subject information.

Music at A level follows the AQA specification. Pupils examine key works from a wide repertoire and learn to notate, describe and analyse the music they see and listen to.

The core repertoire consists of music from the 16^th -19^th centuries and includes that of Purcell, Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Chopin and Grieg. Two further modules explore the development of 20^th century music, including Pop and Jazz.

Pupils develop their understanding of harmony and composition techniques by looking at styles including chorale harmony and free composition. They also perform and record pieces for assessment.

At A2, pupils record one solo performance of 10-15 minutes, with the minimum expected standard of Grade 7-8.

http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/music-2016.html

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/music/as-and-a-level/music-7272

ACADEMIC & EXTRA-CURRICULAR TEACHING STAFF

Andrew Weeks | Head of Instrumental Music & Composition
Jonathan Stamp | Head of Academic Music & School Organist
Rosamund Walton | Head of Vocal Studies
David Dunnett | A Level Harmony & Accompanying
Caroline Speca | Head of Making Musicians Scholarship Programme
Nicola Dunnett | Head of Lower School Music
Naomi Fry & Corena Cracknell | Classroom Music
Esther Platten | Ensemble Coaching
Brenda Blewett | Guest Accompanist and Making Musicians Coach

 

VISITING MUSIC STAFF

 

Helen Blake | Piano
Helen Boreham | Clarinet
Justin Breame | Guitar
Simon Brown | Piano & Jazz Piano
Rod Caird | Bagpipes
Rachel Cannon | Clarinet & Saxophone
Corena Cracknell | Guitar & Electric Guitar
Alex Demetriou | Piano
Henriette de Vrijer | Violin & Viola
Simon Dring | Drum Kit
Simon Durant | Guitar & Electric Guitar
David Fitzgerald | Saxophone & Flute
Naomi Fry | Cello
Ashley Harries | Double Bass
Anna Hopkins | Flute
Suzie Koczur | French Horn
David Land | Trumpet
David Neil Jones | Piano
Laura Morgan | Singing
Ursula Parry | Violin
George Phillips | Saxophone
Esther Platten | Cello
David Price | Oboe
Colin Shaw | Drum Kit & Percussion
Emily Sheldrake | Violin & Viola
Caroline Speca | Violin
Simon Suter | Trumpet, Trombone & Low Brass
Sarah Thompson | Clarinet & Piano
Rosamund Walton | Singing
Ruth Wilson | Flute
Nick Williams | Bassoon
Mary Worrall | Singing

Music Department Teaching Staff

Jonathan Stamp | BMus ARCO FRCO PGCE
Head of Academic Music

Originally from Nottingham, Jonathan Stamp began his organ studies with Timothy Uglow. After this, he was offered a scholarship to study with Henry Fairs at Birmingham Conservatoire, graduating with first class honours. During his studies, he passed the examinations for both ARCO and FRCO, received the Corton-Hyde early music scholarship, as well as a bursary from the Macdonald Foundation. He has previously held the posts of Organ Scholar at St Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham and at Norwich Cathedral, as well as accompanist to the City of Wolverhampton Choir and Director of Barton Turf Choral Society. He has also featured on recordings with Birmingham Conservatoire Chamber Choir in a recording of works by Herbert Howells and John Joubert’s opera Jane Eyre. Additionally, Jonathan has performed on the organ and harmonium with the City of Birmingham Symphony Youth Orchestra and Norwich Philharmonic Orchestra and has recently given solo recitals at Westminster Cathedral and St Stephen Walbrook. He currently holds the role of Head of Academic Music and Organist at Norwich School.

 

Andrew Weeks | BA PGCE MA
Head of Instrumental Music & Composition

Andrew is a British music educator, multi-instrumentalist, singer, orchestrator & award-winning composer. He studied Music at the University of East Anglia and completed his Masters in Composition and Orchestration for Film & Television in 2020 with the world’s first online Film Scoring School (Thinkspace Education, University of Chichester). Andrew’s projects have seen him tour the UK folk festival circuit, direct musical theatre productions, and perform with some of the country's leading choirs. An ardent supporter of music education, he has worked closely with the Norfolk Music Service, Sistema in Norwich, The Royal College of Music, and English Touring Opera, in addition to teaching GCSE & A-Level Music. A passionate composer, Andrew's music ranges from choral music & contemporary orchestral scores, to contemporary folk and commercial production music. Recent works include three Christmas Motets; O Magnum Mysterium - SSAATTBB; Lux Fulgébit - SSAATTBB + optional marimba; and Veni, Veni O Oriens (O Radiant Dawn) for double choir & soprano saxophone. His music appears on albums with contemporary folk band Inlay (2012, 2015 & 2016), Hitpoint Music Library in London (2021), and has also recorded with The Academy of St. Thomas, and Norwich Cathedral Choir on their recent discs: Britten's Sacred Choral Works (2020), & 'Evening Hymn; Music of Light' (2018). Andrew regularly deputises for the Cathedral Choir as a bass lay clerk and is in demand as a bass soloist and choral singer across East Anglia. Locally, he has enjoyed conducting The Morley Consort of Voices & Norwich Baroque, as well as taking musical theatre productions to the Edinburgh Fringe Fesrtival. Andrew has been fortunate to perform in some of the most prestigious venues in the UK such as the Royal Festival Hall, St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Royal Albert Hall & Snape Maltings both as a singer, choral director and percussionist.

At Norwich School, Andrew is directly involved with the exceptional Orchestral, Jazz & New Sounds programmes, and is Deputy Choral Director of the Norwich School Chapel Choir and Choral Society. He feels privileged to work in such a special educational setting, enabling pupils to reach their potential.

Website: www.andrewweeks.weebly.com              Music: Available on Apple Music, Spotify & Amazon

 

Rosamund Walton | BA, PGDip Mus, MMus
Head of Vocal Studies

Rosamund gained her Masters in Singing at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where she won the Norma Greig French song prize and a Barcapel Foundation Trust award. Her extensive concert platform experience has seen her perform as a soloist in some of the most prestigious venues in the UK including; Haydn’s Nelson Mass at St John’s Smith Square and Norwich Cathedral; Handel’s Let the Bright Seraphim at the House of Lords; Queen Anne in Davidson’s The Middleham Requiem at St James the Greater in Leicester on the occasion of the reburial of Richard III; Hawes’ Eventide with the English Chamber Orchestra; Allain’s Vespers with the London Mozart Players; Handel’s Messiah with the Glasgow City Chorus; Mozart Vespers with the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn and at St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh; Britten’s War Requiem at Gresham’s; Will Todd’s Mass in Blue with the composer and the King’s Lynn Festival Chorus.

In her role as Head of Vocal Studies at Norwich School, she oversees the vocal life of the school.  She is responsible for the running of the many choirs and conducts the Chapel Choir and the acapella group, GForce. She runs the joint Primary School Chorister Outreach project between the school and Norwich Cathedral.  She also directed the Norwich Cathedral Children's Choir.  She worked for many years for the Guildhall School of Music and Drama as one of the voice tutors at the Norfolk Centre for Young Musicians, directing their elite Chamber Choir. She was the Lecturer in Singing and Musical Theatre at Suffolk New College and devised, directed and conducted many performances.  Whilst at the Royal Scottish Conservatoire she conducted the Choral Outreach Project which worked with primary schools in Glasgow. 

As a singing teacher she has helped numerous students attain places at specialist drama and music colleges at Higher Education level, including the Guildhall, Royal Academy of Music, and the Royal College of Music.  Three of her pupils have reached the final 5 girls of BBC Young Chorister of the Year since 2017.  Previous pupils have gone on to sing with Genesis Sixteen, the Rodolfus Choir and many have gained choral scholarships at university.

 

Caroline Speca | Head of Making Musicians (Music Scholarship Programme)

Caroline was a professional violinist with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, where she worked for fourteen years with the world’s leading conductors, singers and orchestral musicians. Today, she is a music educator, community musician, and ambassador for Britten Pears Arts, an Arts Council England National Centre of Excellence for musical talent and creative health. Her repertoire ranges from classical opera and ballet to traditional ‘palm-court’ dance music, musical theatre and contemporary improvisation. She has a passion for identifying and nurturing young musical talent, and for music with a social purpose. Caroline holds a Bachelor of Music from Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Music for Dementia from Roehampton University.

 

David Dunnett | Cathedral Organist, School Accompanist & A-Level Harmony Teacher

David was educated at King Edward’s School, Birmingham and Clare College, Cambridge where he assisted Tim Brown and studied the organ with John Pryer, John Bishop and David Sanger. He worked in the United States as Director of Chapel Music and Staff Accompanist at the College of Wooster, Ohio, before becoming Assistant Director of Music at Uppingham School. He became Sub-Organist at Winchester Cathedral in November 1991 and then was Master of Music at Norwich Cathedral from 1996-2007. He continues to be an organist at the Cathedral, is the Choral Conductor of the Norwich Philharmonic Society and is also a busy examiner. David teaches privately and at Norwich School.

 

Visiting Music Staff

 

Helen Blake | Piano Teacher

Brenda Blewett | Making Musicians Accompanist & Performance Coach

Until September 2019, Brenda was Head of Accompaniment at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester where she was part of the staff accompaniment team for 25 years. She is now based in Norfolk as a freelance accompanist and recitalist, specialising in working with talented young musicians. She has a great love of Norway and Norwegian culture and has performed in many of Norway’s major festivals over the last 30 years collaborating with many Scandinavian musicians. In 2014 she spent a year as Head of Accompaniment at the Barratt Due Institute in Oslo and has also worked as a visiting accompanist at the Norwegian State Academy of Music. She is a regular resident accompanist at Valdres Sommersymfoni Festival and Summer School. She has made 3 CD recordings, all recorded on historical pianos from the collection at Finchcocks Museum. Her Simax recording of the Haydn trios for flute, cello and piano was chosen as 'Record of the Month' by the German Music Journal "Alte Musik Aktuel’. Brenda read music at Oxford University – specialising in 19th century music – and then continued at the Royal College of Music in London, where she studied piano with David Parkhouse and accompaniment with Robert Sutherland and was awarded the Ellen Marie Curtis Prize for her interpretations of Haydn and Mozart.

Helen Boreham | BA (hons) LTCL MISM (Clarinet) 
Clarinet Teacher

After studying at UEA Helen Boreham gained her teaching diploma from Trinity College London. Helen has a special interest in folk music. Whilst spending a year studying in Norway she played and recorded with Strengefolk. In England Helen toured and recorded with Jack Orion. Now she is Musical Director of Pied A Terre leading many French dance music workshops. Helen enjoys Early Music and has played in several ensembles. Bands with which she currently plays are Tanz (klezmer) and DanSons (French). Pupils range from beginner to diploma. For many years Helen set the clarinet pieces for the County Music Festival. Being interested in the psychology of learning, Helen’s teaching ‘mentor’ is Paul Harris. Lessons are based on his wonderful approach to learning, teaching, practising and enjoying music. 

Justin Breame | BA (hons) LLCM 
Guitar Teacher

Justin has played professionally in many bands and ensembles over the years, covering most styles of music from Classical to Jazz, Blues, Rock, Bluegrass and Americana. As well as the guitar he also plays and teaches bass guitar and mandolin. He is a published composer whose works have been performed in the UK, America and Canada and has also had works included in the London College of Music exam syllabus. As a performer Justin has appeared at Earl’s Court and the Birmingham NEC as well as an underground car park in Germany! Justin has been successful in numerous call-for-scores for the American contemporary music group Vox Novus as well as the New York based Orchestra of Our Time. In the UK, Justin has had recent works performed by The Music Makers of London, The Cantus Ensemble, the Norwich Cathedral Choir and Norwich Baroque Orchestra. A selection of his work, including orchestral, big band and percussion pieces, is published by Bell Music Publishing and choral works by Chichester Music Press.

Simon Brown | BA (Hons) ALCM 
Piano & Jazz Piano

I have taught piano, jazz piano and music theory at Norwich School since joining the team in 2005 and taught in a variety of the region’s schools since 1992. I use the ABRSM syllabus for classical and jazz piano tuition, supplemented by bespoke piano arrangements provided in response to my students’ requirements. Outside the lessons I enjoy a busy life in the performing, arranging and promotion of music and so draw on considerable professional experience as I guide young musicians towards a possible career in music.

Originally from the West Midlands, Simon graduated from UEA in 1990 and subsequently established himself in the Eastern region as tutor, performer, arranger and musical director. He regularly performs with a wide range of top UK & US artists in the region’s jazz clubs, and is also an experienced accompanist for vocalists, having gained considerable experience on London’s open-mic circuit. He currently runs the Open Mic / Jazz Jams at the club's Monday night sessions. Transcription and arranging have formed a large part of his work over the last 20 years and Simon regularly fixes and directs ensembles for shows and jazz club nights. He has directed the house band for an annual charity event at Norwich Playhouse since 2003. His tongue-in-cheek TV theme-tune band The Sitcom Sextet was formed in 2004 as an antidote to regular function work, and his jazz quintets Beyond Cantaloupe and Back To Birdland were formed to celebrate the 1960s output of Herbie Hancock, and the unique sound of George Shearing.

Beyond performing, Simon is increasingly involved in event promotion and production, and as well as running Norwich Jazz Club, launching the Jazz Weekender festival in 2014.

Rachel Cannon | GGSM, PdOT 
Clarinet Teacher

Rachel is a professional clarinettist and woodwind specialist. After completing sixth form at Chetham's School of Music and appearing on BBC Young Musician of the Year, she trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama winning the Worshipful Company of Musicians' Medal and the Rosebowl prize, as runner up in the prestigious Gold Medal Concerto competition. She was principal clarinet of the Northern Ballet Theatre Orchestra for several years before pursuing a freelance career, playing with all the major London orchestras. Rachel has also performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician and has appeared on Radio 3 and Classic FM. Rachel has always enjoyed combining teaching with performing. She has coached many wind ensembles and youth orchestra wind sections, including Norfolk County Youth Orchestra and Junior Guildhall, London. Rachel teaches at Norwich School and Norfolk Centre for Young Musicians. She coaches an adult group, "A Conference of Clarinets”, and is principal clarinet of the Academy of St Thomas Orchestra, and Norwich Cathedral Players. 

Henriette de Vrijer DM (Rotterdam Conservatoire) MA Ed (Open) 
Violin Teacher

Henriette studied violin with Jan Hulst (Concertgebouw Orchestra) in the Netherlands and with Tessa Robins-Khambatta (Royal College of Music) in London. She was a member of the Continuo Chamber Orchestra in the Netherlands. Alongside her teaching at Norwich School, the Norwich High School for Girls and Town Close House School, Henriette has a private teaching practice at home. Students have gone on to specialist music schools, read music at university, have become professional violinists and viola players, have gained music scholarships and have won music competitions. Henriette is also a contributor to The Strad Magazine's "Ask the Experts" column. Henriette is the founder/director of Pro-Am Strings www.proamstrings.com, an internet platform which provides online violin, viola and cello lessons. Henriette heads a worldwide team of Pro-Am Strings Associate Teachers. 

Simon Dring | Drum Kit

Simon Dring has been playing drums for 30 years, and has taught drums at Norwich School since 1998. He also maintains a small private teaching practice specialising in rock, pop, blues, soul and funk styles. He is an in-demand live performer, and has played and recorded across the UK, Europe, USA and New Zealand with various artists. Simon was named as Blues Drummer of the Year at the British Blues Awards 2010. 

Since 1995 I have played thousands of gigs with scores of bands, including numerous tours in the UK and Europe, theatre shows, musicals, weddings, civil ceremonies, drum workshops, clubs, pubs, arenas, village halls, shopping centres, arts centres, churches and cathedrals. Please see my website for more details:

https://www.simondring.co.uk/about/

David Fitzgerald |
Saxophone & Reeds

David’s career has combined performing, composing & teaching as well as being something of a journey through various musical environments and genres. David left home at the age of 15 to study at the prestigious Royal Marines School of Music in Deal, Kent, where he boarded for three years. David completed his studies and then served as principal flute & saxophone player within HM Band of the Royal Marines throughout the world & principally in the Far East (where he was stationed for two years, initially at HMS Terror and then with 3rd Commando Brigade). On returning to the UK David was a member of Plymouth Group Band and then CTC Lympstone. It was at this time that he started to play with various bands in and around the Exeter region (notably the Maurice Price Showband & Christian progressive rock band Pilgrimage). He left the band service in 1975 to follow a career beyond the world of military music.

After further years of working within the musical world of popular & world cultures, recording & touring with various bands including 60’s soul legend Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (signed to DJM/Dick James Music) & 70’s disco chart band The Chequers (signed to Creole Records – two top 20 hits). He also spent much of his energy working as a session musician in and around London and playing with various show bands (including Bob Miller & The Millermen, The Nat Temple Orchestra, Chris Allen Band and many others). Since the mid-1980’s David has devoted most of his time & energy to working with many artists within the Christian Music industry (principally on recording and touring projects with Adrian Snell & Graham Kendrick but many others also). In 1989, following visits to the islands of Lindisfarne & Iona, David co-founded the musical project IONA, the result of discoveries made into the Celtic origins of the Christian faith within these Islands. 

After two hugely successful recordings (‘Iona’ & ‘Book Of Kells’) David left the project/band to study for a degree in music, focussing two years of this study into the origins & relevance of Liturgical & Worship Music throughout history. David has since undertaken extensive television & recording work (including many recordings for the BBC TV series ‘Songs Of Praise‘ – with artists such as Aled Jones, The New English Orchestra, Lesley Garrett, Noel Richards, Graham Kendrick, Phatfish, Stuart Townend & Jonathan Veira). Although David still performs & records, he now devotes much time to teaching in schools, privately and directing classical & jazz ensembles. For a number of years David joined the adjudication team at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, where musicians, dancers and singers perform each year from approximately 120 nations around the world.

Laura Morgan | BMus(hons), MA, PGDip(RSAMD), MMus(RSAMD), MISM | Singing

The British Soprano trained at the University of Huddersfield gaining her BMus(hons) and first Masters degree in Performance studying principally with Bass-Baritone, Andrew Slater. She then moved even further North to complete her postgraduate studies at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now the RCS) with Soprano, Helen Lawson, attaining her PGDipMus and MMus. 

Laura lives in Norwich with her husband and young son. In addition to her own singing, Laura is proud to be a vocal tutor for many prestigious schools and organisations; Town Close House Preparatory School, Notre Dame Preparatory School, Langley Senior School and, of course, Norwich School.  Laura is also the curriculum lead tutor for Vocal Studies at the Centre for Young Musicians; a division of the Guildhall school and Musical Director for Surlingham Broadnotes Choir.  She is a registered certified singing teacher with the ISM and an active member of AOTOS.   

Laura has been invited to sing as a recitalist and soloist all over the UK. Alongside the more conventional soprano repertoire, Laura is not afraid of more obscure performance opportunities; These include 'Plazasong for Devonshire Green', an art exhibit by the Sheffield based Dutton and Swindells; Wilby's 'Unholy Sonnets' and working with Cally Spooner on her one woman work ‘Damning Evidence Illicit Behaviour Seemingly Insurmountable Great Sadness Terminated In Any Manner’ for British Art Show 8 which Laura Performed at Norwich Castle for the length of the run.  

Please visit www.lauramorgansoprano.com for more information

Esther Platten | BMUS (HONS) AKC | Cello

Esther began her musical journey in Norfolk being taught ‘cello by Maja Passchier and as a founder member of the Girls’ Cathedral Choir before continuing her studies at Kings’ College London as a Choral Scholar with instrumental and vocal tuition at RAM. Esther has enjoyed a varied career teaching, performing and recording. Particular specialisms include Choral and Chamber Music. Now settled back in Norwich, Esther teaches at both Norwich School and the Inspiration Trust.