An outstanding reputation for music
With the merger this year of St Mary's and Lincoln Minster Preparatory Schools, the school's music promises to be a real feast over the coming year. Both schools have enjoyed outstanding reputations for their music; both in quality and in diversity. With the cathedral choristers all participating in the school choirs, orchestras, jazz bands and other ensembles, alongside many other keen musicians, there can be no other Prep school like this for music!
Jonathan Nowell, Head of Performance and composer, has years of experience involving children of all abilities in his ensembles and allowing them to develop and be creative. Alongside Nick Perry, Head of Academic Music and a cathedral songman, there is the opportunity to develop something for our emerging musicians which is quite unique.
All our children have the chance to learn an instrument at school from Year 1 and the Upper School also provides choristers for the Lincoln Cathedral Choir.
St Mary's Preparatory School Orchestra Project
From September 2011 all of our Prep instrumental players will be forming an orchestra which will rehearse as part of the curriculum each week to prepare for performances and concerts. We hope that the chance to play as part of a big team with others will build the confidence of our young players and enable them to enjoy performing in such a complex sound.
Our jazz band, choirs and smaller ensembles will all feed into the larger groups to ensure there are opportunities for children of all levels and interests. Please do contact the School to find out more about our orchestra project as it grows and develops.
Pre-Prep Music
Children love their music lessons in the Pre-Prep and we believe in fostering that early joy of making music.
The pictures show the children absorbed in their task as Mr Perry took them through a lesson where he told them they were going to the zoo. The children were soon learning how to play syncopated off-beat rhythms, singing ‘zoo' on first and third beats of a 4/4 bar, then playing their percussion on 2nd and 4th beats. Not only does this test their co-ordination, but it is also a good brain exercise.
Of course they don't all end up going to the Royal College of Music but it sows the seed and sparks their interest. And for many of our pupils, this early introduction inspires a lifelong enthusiasm for music.