Music and Drama
All children have a forty minute weekly Music and Drama lessons taught by our director of Music and Music specialist teachers. These lessons take place in the specialist Music Suite and children learn about pitch, rhythm, timbre, Music appreciation (Music around the World), classical studies, percussion and composition and so much more…
Singing Lessons
All children in Pre-Prep have a forty minute singing lesson every week.
They do voice exercises, sing fun action songs, learn hymns and classical pieces of Music too!
Musical Productions and Performing Arts
All children take part in a Christmas Musical and end of term drama production which is staged in the marquee at the end of the summer term. We ask you all to come and join us for our celebration day and enjoy picnic hampers on the lawn.
The Christmas Musicals are split and the youngest children (Taunton Nursery School 2 and Reception) take part in a traditional Nativity, whilst the 5-7 year olds take part in a Christmas Musical. We ask you all to come and celebrate with us and share coffee and mince pies in the Old Library afterwards.
Class Assemblies
These take place termly and involve all children. It is a chance for them to perform and share what they have been learning and we invite parents to come and join us if you are able. They take place at 8.40am, usually on a Tuesday morning and dates appear in the termly calendar to give you all plenty of notice. We serve refreshments from 8.00am. Assemblies take place in the Pre-Prep hall.
Whole School Assemblies
These take place termly in our very beautiful Chapel.
We join with the Prep school and our brothers and sisters to celebrate, Harvest, World Peace Day, Remembrance, Christmas, Easter etc. We also invite you to join us for all our carol services.
Pre-Prep Assemblies
8.40am in the Pre-Prep Hall
Monday – hymn practise Mrs Hornsby and Miss Pink
Tuesday – Head of Pre-Prep, Mrs McLauchlan - PSHE /Golden Rule Focus
Wednesday – Teacher/class led
Thursday – Mr Beale Headmaster Assembly
Friday – Celebration Assembly where we share good work, special achievements (at home and school). Children are presented with certificates in recognition of effort, good behaviour and achievement, all children are rewarded and throughout the year have hot chocolate and chocolate fingers with the head teacher!
Weekly House points are collated and celebrated at this time and every half term the winning house chooses a special treat!
Individual Music Tuition
Children, from the age of 5 have the option to learn an instrument or two and are able to trial a few sessions when choosing the instrument they would like to focus on. That is if you are not sure!
We have a variety of specialist instrumental teachers visiting school daily and children in the Pre-Prep are collected and taken to their lesson in the Music suite. They do not miss the same lessons every week as we use a carousel system and often lessons take place during break/early in the morning.
Usually, woodwind, Strings and keyboard skills are taught from this age and from the age of seven/eight (when second teeth have developed) brass instrumental lessons are introduced and guitar lessons. There is also a percussion teacher who teaches percussion and drums etc.
Our Director of Music and teaching team will happily answer specific enquiries and requests.
Informal Concerts
Children in Pre-Prep learn the flute, clarinet, recorder, piano and violin and have the opportunity to play in friendly informal concerts termly when confident. The informal concerts enable all children to celebrate their success and musical achievements and help develop confidence when performing. It also provides an opportunity to practice performing the Royal School of Music and Guildhall exam pieces in front of a live audience as well as sharing their achievements with proud parents.
There is a termly charge for Music lessons.
For more specific information please contact jayne.hornsby@tauntonschool.co.uk
Concerts and Performances in our Purpose built theatre and brand new arts centre
These take place all year round and even if your child is not taking part it is often worth coming to watch as they are always spectacular. Look out for our outdoor concerts too - The Firework Concert and Garden Opera. Prep and senior school children take part in these, you can bring a picnic and join in too!