Music

Music is seen as an integral part of the curriculum at Milbourne Lodge. Learning to play and appreciate music can encourage participation, teamwork, and a sense of group identity as well as increasing creativity. It develops the children’s ability to understand themselves and relate to others, thus promoting self-confidence and social skills. It can also support learning in other subject areas, such as the ability to listen and concentrate and the facility for self-expression. 

The teaching of curriculum music is primarily aimed at developing the children’s understanding and appreciation of the subject through performing, composing, listening and appraising. 

All pupils are taught to sing, to play tuned and untuned percussion and the basics of music theory in class. Younger pupils in years 2 and 3 learn how to play the recorder and to read basic notation, and many then go on to take up an orchestral instrument.

All children are encouraged to join either the Junior or Senior choir.  These choirs take part in various concerts, to which all parents are welcome. The carol service held at Claygate parish church is a particular highlight of the school calendar.

Many pupils are also encouraged to play a musical instrument. Milbourne Lodge has a team of peripatetic music staff offering tuition on various instruments including: flute, saxophone, clarinet, violin, cello, trumpet, piano, percussion and recorder. Individual theory of music and singing lessons are also available. Lessons are mostly during the lunch-hour or Games time, but every effort is made to ensure that boys and girls do not miss team practices and matches.

Children with outstanding musical talent have the opportunity to try for Music Scholarships and numerous awards have been won to many of the major Public Schools (see Music Scholarships).

All those children learning an instrument have the opportunity to perform in various school ensembles and there are musical events each term, including informal concerts, the spring term showcase concert and the annual House Music competition in the Summer Term.