Finding the high notes

Student Reporters Ruth Cristian and Vinaaya Patel 9.2 learn how Claremont students are getting to experience new instruments from Indonesia and beyond in their music lessons and clubs 

From the beginning of the academic year, Claremont’s Music Department has introduced a new curriculum and music clubs. With the current Year 9 planning to pick their GSCE subjects, Mr Williams and Mr Rudd hope to encourage students to find the high notes in their music pieces titled ‘Life’.  

Pupils can now join a range of music clubs and activities, including: Big Band, Busking Station, Catch-Up Clinic, Chamber Strings, Claremont Choir, Claremont FM Student Radio, Glee Club, Guitar Club, Keyboard Club, Music Ambassador Meetings, Music Technology Club, Percussion Troop, School Orchestra and Woodwind Ensemble. 

Mr Williams, Head of the Music Department, has created these amazing opportunities to allow students to expand their musical understanding and knowledge: ‘We hope pupils will develop depth of skill on an instrument of their choice, find other like-minded musicians to share their interest with and develop cultural knowledge that goes beyond the curriculum.’ 

Miriam Cristian in Year 7 enrolled in the Music Tech Club: ‘Before I joined, I didn’t know much about music, even less about music tech. However, now I enjoy music and hope to expand my ideas through other music clubs. After joining the Music Tech Club, me and my sister spend our evenings together on “BandLab” creating funny pieces of music and lyrics that probably no one will hear!’ 

If students and parents are concerned about the cost of these activites, they needn’t be… The clubs are free! By joining, pupils can enhance their public performance and grow up to become confident musicians. ‘Students use the clubs as a platform for performing in assemblies or at our Christmas Concert, Spring Soiree or Summer Festival events,’ explains Mr Williams. 

‘The music clubs at Claremont are great,’ says Dia Modha in Year 9. ‘We learn lots of interesting things each week in our new curriculum and develop our knowledge of music. I’m glad to say I’ve learnt quite a bit from the assigned homework and the new lessons. This curriculum is definitely recommended!’