Music is a fundamental part of the curriculum at Maynard, and we aim to foster an appreciation and enjoyment of music in all girls. Music is an area which challenges all students to perform, compose and explore their creative talent, in turn enhancing their intellectual, personal and social development.
All students study Music from Reception to (Year 9) Upper 4, with many going on to study the subject at GCSE and A-level. Students have regular opportunities to perform, with concerts held throughout the year both at school and in the local community.
The Department runs a wide range of ensembles for musicians of all abilities. Our main musical activities are Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, String Band, Wind Band, Senior Choir, Middle School Choir, Chamber Choir, Flute Choir, Chamber Ensembles, Jazz Band and Junior Orchestra. These groups rehearse on a weekly basis either in the lunch time or after school, and perform in our regular series of school concerts and charity events. In recent years the girls have performed at Cardiff Millennium Centre, where their performance was streamed live on the internet, sung Evensong at Exeter Cathedral, taken part in a song-writing workshop with Grammy Award winner Jonathan Joseph and taken part in a British Council project Britten and Beyond, working in partnership with The Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. Other exciting opportunities have included a music tour to Venice, singing for HRH The Earl of Wessex, performing at the Welcome Ceremony for the Australian team for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, working with a production team from the Royal Opera House on the opera ‘Tarka the Otter’ and joining the Drama Department to put on sell out musicals at the Barnfield Theatre.
Individual tuition is available on a range of instruments via our dedicated team of peripatetic music teachers. Approximately 195 lessons are delivered each week, with over 55% of girls learning a musical instrument. The school is also a venue for Associated Board exams. We can arrange lessons for Piano, Strings (Violin, Viola, ’Cello, Double Bass, Guitar), Woodwind (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone), Brass (Trumpet, Horn, Trombone), Percussion (Orchestral and Drum kit) and Singing.
The school offers two Music Scholarships and two Music Exhibitions annually to students who display a musical talent and show a lively interest in the subject. Scholars will take a leading part in the musical life of The Maynard School throughout their time here. For more information please click here
GCSE Music offers the opportunity to not only perform and create your own music but also to listen to a wide variety of musical styles, ranging from classical and world music to musicals and popular genres. This course balances practical music-making with listening and understanding and you will enjoy discovering what makes a piece of music unique and gets your toes tapping!
