Princess Helena College

Music

Music forms a vibrant and essential part of life at Princess Helena College and encompasses a wide range of activities, both formal and informal. Girls of all ages and ability are encouraged to foster an appreciation of music, to take examinations (GCSE, AS & A Level, Practical and Theory), or simply play for pleasure. Up to 60% of pupils choose to take individual instrumental or singing lessons.

It is an important area in the life of the College and the department is staffed by experienced and talented musicians. The Director of Music and 13 visiting instrumental and singing teachers work closely together to provide a high quality music education.

Class lessons are given in music rooms in the main building and individual lessons are taught in a suite of nine teaching rooms, all with pianos, which are also available for individual practice. There is a Yamaha grand piano in the Old Hall in the main building and a Steinway grand in the Princess Alice Hall.

The College offers lessons in:

Piano	Violin	Flute	Saxophone
Singing	Viola	Oboe	Trumpet
Guitar	Cello	Clarinet	French Horn
Drums	Double Bass	Bassoon

Current ensembles and groups include:

Chamber Choir

Chamber Group

Flute Group

Junior Choir (years 7 – 9)

Orchestra

Rock Band(6^th form)

Recorder Ensemble

Senior Choir (years 10-13)

Senior Flutes

Wind Band

The department also runs a regular Theory class to support girls working towards Grade 5 Theory and there are accompaniment/ aural training sessions for practical music examinations.

As pupils progress, they are encouraged to join county and national choirs and instrumental groups and to develop their interests through holiday courses. Princess Helena College girls have achieved great success at county and national level.

Performance
Formal music events each year include the annual Carol service and Spring Concert but there are many other opportunities in concerts and informal recitals, as well as assemblies and services. Previous examples of events:

Service at Westminster Abbey for the 175^th Anniversary of the College
Choral Concerts with Bedford School
Service at St. Alban's Abbey
Musicals including ‘Oliver', ‘Ocean World' 'Little Shop of Horrors'
The ‘African Jigsaw' – a choral piece, which incorporated African musicians and dancers
Concert trips, e.g. to Paris and Vienna
Concert at St. Paul's Waldenbury for the Queen Mother's Memorial
Sainsbury's Choir of the Year Competition
Charity Concerts

In addition to these, there are:

Performances in the community for senior citizens
Music Examinations every term for The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Trinity Guildhall and Rock School
Workshops in a variety of activities, such as gamelan for world music and Music Technology
Visits to special concerts at the Barbican and the Royal Festival Hall in London
Evening visits for seniors to concerts and operas