Music
A cd of the recent production of Godspell is now available from the music department. Donations of £5-£10 would be welcomed, with all proceeds going to the Hope for Haiti appeal, supporting victims of the Haiti earthquake.
For further information call 01902 421326.
Music at WGS is a central part of the school’s life. There are currently over 40 students studying for GCSE and A Level Music and numbers are growing each year.
As a Big Sixer, Year 7, 8 or 9 student you will receive one double lesson of music per week (75 minutes). Class singing is seen as an integral part of practical music making, along with the use of keyboards, classroom percussion and, if you receive instrumental tuition, orchestral and band instruments.
Those of you who study music at GCSE, will follow the Edexcel specification and receive four lessons per week (35 minutes each timetabled as double lessons).
At sixth form, you will follow the OCR specification. A Level Music and Music Technology is offered, which will give you the opportunity to make considerable use of the department’s recording facilities.
As a musician here at WGS, there are many opportunities to perform across a wide range of musical styles. Recent performances include; Puccini’s Messa di Gloria and Shostakovich’s Execution of Stepan Razin by the Choral Society and Bach’s Concerto for Oboe, Violin and String Orchestra performed by student soloists. Choral Evensong was sung by the Senior Choir and the large scale ensembles featured in the Orchestral and Band Concert. 
The music calendar also features soloists’ concerts, chamber concerts, lunchtime concerts and productions of major musicals in conjunction with the school’s Drama department. One of the most popular events in the year is the Jazz Spectacular where the Big Band, plus supporting bands and soloists, play to a sell-out audience.
Instrumental Music Tuition
At present, the school aims to provide a 35 minute instrumental music lesson for a period of 30 weeks spread throughout the academic year. Tuition is available on the following instruments: violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, cornet, french horn, tenor horn, trombone, euphonium, baritone, tuba, classical piano, jazz piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, drum kit, percussion and church organ. Vocal lessons are also available in a variety of styles.
We have an extensive stock of over 400 good quality musical instruments and the WGS instrumental loan scheme can provide an instrument on loan for one year, free of charge, subject to availability. At the end of the 12 month period the loan is re-assessed when we hope that you will feel pleased enough with their child's progress to consider the option of hiring or buying a musical instrument.
Extra Curricular Music
Extra-curricular music making is at the heart of activities on offer to students at WGS, and detailed below is a list of all our advanced ensembles , along with the their relevant feeder groups:
Advanced Ensembles
Symphony Orchestra
Senior String Orchestra
Senior Concert Band
Senior Big Band
Senior Choir
Choral Society
Chamber Choir
Training Ensembles
Intermediate String Ensemble
Junior String Ensemble
Intermediate Concert Band
Junior Concert Band
Intermediate Big Band (The Wee Band)
Junior Choir
Big 6 Choir
There are also a large number of woodwind, string, brass, and percussion chamber ensembles’ as well as student led rock groups which perform throughout the year.
The music department organises regular music tours abroad. Recent tours have included the Lake Garda, tour in 2001.; the Senior Big Band tour to Florence, in 2004 and the Senior Choir tours to Prague in 2000 and Venice in 2006. There is an annual residential rehearsal weekend for students who play in our many feeder ensembles.
Use the player below to listen to Minimalism, by Jacob Cunningham, 11C.
