The Music Department

From its very foundation Stowe School has always had a reputation for the Arts. Music has always had a high profile at Stowe and its very surroundings make it an ideal place for the student to make music.

A wealth of concerts and recitals are given throughout the year, mainly by Stoics themselves. There are often three or four musical events in a week, giving Stoics the opportunity to share their music with friends, staff and visiting parents, while gaining experience and confidence in performing in public. It is our aim that all Stoics should have the opportunity to develop their full potential as musicians during their time at the School and leave here with a love of music, whether classical, jazz, rock or pop.

Click on the links below to hear some of the music from the 2009 Christmas Carol Concert:

Send Me On My Way - Rusted Root
Mack the Knife - Kurt Weill
Lost - Bubble

The range of musical activities is enormous. Our Music Department staff is enhanced by visiting teachers from prestigious institutions such as the Royal Academy and others. There are numerous classical ensembles, orchestras, choirs, wind and jazz bands.

In the last few years former students have gained places at the Royal Academy, Royal College, Royal Northern College and Trinity College of Music. Scholarships have been gained at Trinity College and in 2004 Jonathan Howse, not only won a scholarship to study the Clarinet at the Royal Academy but was also awarded an Associated Board Scholarship. These coveted awards are only given to the top eight students in the world who wish to study at one of our Royal conservatoires.

Some Stoics who have recently graduated are already gaining a national reputation. Giles Underwood left in 1992 and was awarded a choral scholarship to Magdalen College Oxford. Giles now sings with the Choir of Christ Church, Oxford, as well as the Gabrieli Consort and I fagiolini. Emma Hornby also gained a choral scholarship to Oxford (Worcester College) and is now a lecturer in music at Bristol University, specialising in Mediaeval Music.

Going further back in time our musical alumni include Howard Goodall, the famous composer of choral music, stage musicals, film and TV scores, and an award-winning broadcaster, well known for theme tunes such as Blackadder; Vicar of Dibley; Q.I.; the Catherine Tate show.

Other composers include Stephen Dodgson, who taught at the Royal College of Music for many years. Also at the Royal College is Roderick Swanston who is Senior Lecturer and a well known radio broadcaster. In the world of academia is the renowned authority on Verdi and Puccini, Julian Budden, who has written the definitive books on their operas. Conductors include Anthony Negus of the Welsh National Opera and Christopher Gayford from the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.In the world of Jazz we are represented by George Melly and in Popular Music by Roger Hodgson of "Supertramp".

There is thus a rich and varied number of former pupils of Stowe who have made a mark on the musical life of this country and further abroad.

Master in charge: Mr Simon Dearsley, Director of Music

GCSE

Aims
The general aim of the course is to stimulate and develop an appreciation and enjoyment of music through an active involvement in the three musical activities: Listening, Performing and Composing. The course encourages all kinds of music as legitimate for performance and examination, from Classical to Popular or Jazz. It is advisable for Stoics wishing to take this GCSE to be at least Grade 3 on one instrument before embarking upon the course.

Assessment
The three components of the course are as follows:

Listening (25%)

Short answers on the following topics: Film Music, Dance Music, Music for Special Events, Orchestral Music, Popular Song since 1960

Performing (25%)

One solo and one ensemble performance usually recorded at the School near the end of the two year course.

Composition (50%)

• One composition to be completed by the end of the Michaelmas Term in the final year. (25%)
• A composition written in the Lent Term Term of the final year. The title of this composition will be issued by the Board. (25%)

There is no differential system within the levels available (A* - G). All candidates take every part of the examination.

A level

The AS and A2 examinations are a continuation of the GCSE courses and are likewise equally divided into the three areas of Performing, Composing and Listening. The Listening examination now has more emphasis on prescribed works and areas of historical study. There is only one written examination at the end of the year.

Performing
At the end of the year AS level candidates give a short solo recital to a visiting examiner, lasting between five and eight minutes. At least two pieces should be performed. They then have the option of performing on a second instrument, in an ensemble, or performing their own composition. The standard of the performances should be Grade Four - Five or above in order to achieve the highest marks.

A2 Candidates give a solo recital between twelve and fifteen minutes and investigate one area of the repertoire relevant to their instrument. The standard of the performance should be Grade Six or above.

Composing
This section is entirely coursework based and, at AS level, is assessed by the teacher. An AS level candidate produces six exercises in harmonizing given melodies and one composition for between four and ten instruments, lasting not more than three minutes.

For A2 the candidate writes one vocal composition or incidental music for a film and presents a folio of exercises in harmony or counterpoint.

Historical Study through Listening
Through the study of various set work, questions will be asked in AS level on music composed for the late 18th and early 19th century orchestra as well as on Jazz from 1920 to 1960.

A2 students study early 20th century vocal music and one of four historical topics.