Music at Derwent Lodge

The music Department at Derwent Lodge is an extremely exciting and active place and the emphasis is on fun and enjoyment.

Girls from Year 3 to Year 6 will receive an hourly class music lesson per week. Here, they will be given opportunities through composing, performing and listening, to further their knowledge and appreciation of the subject.

All girls in Years 3 and 4 learn to read music whilst having class recorder lessons. They also have the opportunity of joining a recorder club. Pupils in Years 5 and 6 may choose to join an advanced recorder club where they can learn the treble or tenor recorder.

All girls are given the option of studying one or more instrument during the school day, with tuition provided by a team of highly professional peripatetic teachers. Instruments currently on offer include Piano, Electronic Keyboard, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Euphonium, Oboe, Clarinet, Flute, Bassoon, Drums, Acoustic guitar, Electric Guitar and Voice. Many are encouraged to enter for the Associated Board of music examinations. Soloists frequently perform in assembly, at the informal soirees held twice a term, in the House Music Competition or at one of the main Schools at Somerhill Concerts.

There are many ensemble opportunities for pupils ranging from the two orchestras, which take girls from Derwent Lodge and boys from Yardley Court, to many recorder groups held during break times. In addition, there is a flute choir, a brass ensemble, and a clarinet and saxophone group.

For enthusiastic singers, girls can join either the Junior Choir for Years 3 and 4 or the Senior Choir for Years 5 and 6. They both enjoy performing on many occasions throughout the year at school concerts, music evenings and a Christmas Carol Service in Tonbridge School chapel. Occasionally, they will be invited to perform as part of a massed choir and this year a few will be participating in a charity event to be held in The Albert Hall. We also take the girls out to visit care homes and sing for the elderly.

Two full-scale productions are held each year where pupils from Year 4 and Year 6 have the opportunity to perform on stage.

For forthcoming plays and concerts, have a look at our calendar.

Here are our latest music exam results! It's worth remembering, when gaining an understanding of how well the children are doing, that the average age for the achievement of Grade 1 nationally is 10 years old.