music

Welcome to music

In the CLV Music Department, we believe that Music is an accessible subject for students of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve in. A vibrant Music Department is vital to achieving this. Music provides ample opportunities to nurture skills that are not only essential in improving musical ability, but also in developing confidence, engagement and social awareness, all of which are key to the development of pupils’ interpersonal skills for the future.

It is also our belief that all pupils have ability in Music and it is up to the teacher to facilitate and support pupils in realising it. We aim to make music accessible to all through a range of approaches, covering practical skills, contextual understanding and an understanding of music theory and terminology.

We aim to create well rounded musicians, who are able to perform with confidence and we strive to nurture their individual skills, celebrate their personal milestones and achievements, and promote a culture of music throughout the school.

Our curriculum encourages students to:

Perform, listen to and appreciate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions.
Understand how music is created, produced and communicated.
Compose music on their own and with others, using live instruments and music technology.
Have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument or use their voices to create performances and showcase their work.
Appreciate the role music has in their local community and wider cultural society.
Develop transferable skills which will aid them in their future career choices

What do we learn in Music?

In Music, you will study a wide range of topics. In Year 7 we study the following units:-

World Music
Traditional Music
Popular Music and Song Writing
Classical Music
Blues Music and Improvisation
Film Music

What are lessons like in Music?

Lessons will take a variety of different approaches, depending on the topic you are covering. A lot of our lessons will be practical, with students playing musical instruments and using our practice spaces. Most lessons will include a mix of listening, performing and composing. All lessons are engaging and students always love making music with us here at CLV.

How many lessons of Music will I get?

Each you will receive 2 lessons of music per 2-week cycle of our timetable.

Will I get Homework to complete for Music lessons?

Occasionally, you can expect to complete some home learning for Music. This won't necessarily be every week, though from time to time, we may ask you to complete a task or two outside of lesson time to enhance your learning and help you make further progress.

How will I be assessed for Music?

We complete a post-learning assessment each term (at the end of a unit) to see what progress you have made over time. Sometimes these assessments will be performance based and some will be theory based. These assessments will be used towards your review data which is sent home throughout the year.

Who will be teaching me in September?

Mrs Glanville- Head of Music

Hi everyone! I am a Woodwind specialist, with flute being my favourite instrument. I am principal flautist with The Band of the Royal Regiment of fusiliers and can often be found marching with a piccolo.

I love musical theatre and my favourite musical is ‘The Sound of Music’.

I am very much looking forward to meeting you all in September and hoping to get you all involved in making music at CLV.

Mrs Griffiths- Music Teacher

Hello! My name is Mrs Griffiths and I am a brass instrument specialist. I play the trombone, baritone and euphonium, and I am currently the solo baritone player with the Jayess Newbiggin Brass Band.

I love music and my favourite bands are Coldplay and Pink Floyd. The last band I saw live was Take That.

I can't wait to meet you and encourage you to get involved in making music at CLV!

Mr Hare- Drum Tutor

I was a student at Cramlington high school. I then went on to study music at Newcastle college and then went on to Newcastle Uni- I was in the same class as Miss Yarrow, the piano teacher! I play with the Aaron Bailey Band. Cool gigs I have played include:

Sting (Rock legend), Mel B (Spice girls) and Luke Goss (Bros).

If you want to be as cool as me... sign up for drums immediately!!

Mr Davies- Guitar Tutor

I studied at Salford College and since then I have spent the last 30 years performing and teaching in a huge range of different musical projects. I am currently either playing theatre shows or working with original artists. My current gig is with Liam Fender.

Miss Butler- Singing Tutor

I have been performing since the age of 3 and trained in the disciplines of singing, acting and dancing. I graduated from the University of Sunderland gaining a First Class Honours Degree in Performing Arts, alongside training at the Newcastle Theatre Royal.

I have experience of working and teaching in Primary and Secondary schools in Northumberland, as well as Little Movers and Stagecoach.

I have experience in both professional and amateur productions; most recently, appearing as Sandy in Grease and Princess in Jack and the Beanstalk.

Mrs Yarrow- Piano Tutor

My name is Mrs Yarrow and I have been playing the piano since the age of 5. I have performed professionally on the Club circuit, accompanying singers, comedians and other musical acts. I was part of a successful band called Stella and released an album with this group, as well as winning the North East Battle of the Bands.

I am now a tutor with 20 years experience and I love working with young people to develop their musical talents.

Miss Hetherington- String Tutor

I have been playing the fiddle since I was seven years old, mostly playing traditional folk music from my home - the Shetland Islands. This led me on to studying Folk and Traditional Music at Newcastle University, which included a year abroad where I lived in Norway studying Norwegian folk music.

I am also in a fiddle band called Hjaltibonhoga, which regularly performs at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This band has given me some incredible opportunities to perform all over the world including Edinburgh, Oslo, Düsseldorf, and even in a stadium in Sydney!

Mr Winter- Piano Tutor

I studied music and undergraduate and postgraduate level at Newcastle University and work across the North East as an instrumental tutor, musical director, session keyboardist and drummer and as a composer and arranger. I can be seen on the stages of several festivals and venues with various soul, funk and jazz acts playing original music (from Hoochie Coochie in Newcastle to Bents Park in South Shields), as well as spending a significant portion of the year in theatre pit orchestras, playing keyboards, drums or conducting the instrumentalists for productions of well known shows. I also work in recording studios, providing keyboard or drum tracking as well as string and horn arrangements for artists recording singles or albums. I released a solo album of original music in 2020 which I composed and arranged and will be releasing a new single later this year.

Mrs Henderson- Woodwind Tutor

I Took up the flute aged 12 after playing the recorder at primary school and took grade 8 after 3 years. I went on to study at the London College of Music and worked in lots of pit bands and orchestras.

My favourite event was playing with my inspiration, the man with the golden flute, James Galway. It was at the Barbican in London with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

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