Department
Music in Friends’ is a vibrant, busy department.
Our bespoke building, with 3 classrooms, a rehearsal space, iMac Suite, recording studio and multiple practice rooms has allowed for an enthusiastic expansion of Music with multiple daily rehearsals and high quality music making. Lessons are offered on every orchestral instrument, singing, guitar, piano, kit and Irish Folk. We are a family, within the community of Friends’; this is most evident at our concerts.
In Music, pupils explore a range of musical styles and instruments.Â
They perform, compose and improvise using keyboard, guitar, tuned percussion and African drums. Working largely on the iMacs, they create music using simple structures using the instrumental sounds on GarageBand. Structured worksheets build skills relating to the elements of music and instruments of the orchestra.
At GCSE level, pupils study set works ranging from Irish Traditional, Western Classical, Film Scores and Rock /Pop. For performance they play one solo and one ensemble piece.
Following on from their experience on the iMacs in Key Stage 3, pupils initially produce a number of smaller exercises, building new skills, before commencing their controlled assessment compositions.
Performance, composition and listening are corner stones of A-level Music, with score analysis and essay writing. Pupils already performing at approximately grade 5 / 6 are in a unique position to access top marks in their practical.Â
A single, in depth, composition is required. Set works are largely Western Classical pieces but also embrace the world of Musical Theatre and sacred vocal music.
Before school, many instrumental ensembles rehearse with large pupil numbers participating in Wind Band, Jazz Band, String Ensemble, Orchestra and Folk Group.
There are also smaller groups for Flutes, Brass and a Rock Band. Our Junior Choir and Senior Choir usually practise over lunch, with rehearsals also taking place for Chamber Choir and Boys’ Choir.Â
We pride ourselves on large pupil numbers producing a high standard of music, with challenging and popular repertoire. Our Christmas Concerts are often in St. Patrick’s in Lisburn, whilst Spring Concerts are a sell out in the Ulster Hall. The new outdoor performance space offers many opportunities to perform within school. There are also many functions during the year in the local community, nursing homes and events for Lisburn City Council.Â
Most recently we were honoured to perform for past pupil Keith Getty’s when he was bestowed the ‘Grant of the Freedom of the City’. Instrumental tuition is offered for every imaginable instrument, with private tutors operating in our state of the art building.
