The Music Department

A I M S
To deliver curricular and extra-curricular activities that inspire creativity and musicianship.

An uncompromising aim for the highest artistic standards.

To provide opportunities of the highest standard for all students, regardless of ability

To facilitate personal development and expression. Music can be life changing.

S E N I O R    C H O I R
The Senior Choir performs several times during the school year, both in school and in the wider community. The choir is a SATB choir and currently consists of 50 students. Recent performance highlights include performing on tour in Rome and a recital given at Saint Paul’s Cathedral. The repertoire over the past 12 months has focussed on spirituals and gospels.

"Your choir sang beautifully, with words that could be heard and understood - a rare event even for professional performers"

A PARISHONER
(FECKENHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER CONCERT 2008)

PARTICIPATION:
Students must audition to join the choir. It is this requirement that differentiates this group from other vocal activities during the year in which any student can participate. No formal vocal training is necessary.

LISTEN
The choir performing in Saint Paul’s Cathedral
The choir performing at the school Winter Concert

J A Z Z   B A N D
The jazz band was formed in 2006 and has quickly gained a reputation within Worcestershire and beyond for exciting, innovative and high quality performances.

Recent highlights include performing outside the Pantheon in Rome, giving a workshop at the Worcestershire Music Teachers Conference and performing the finale at the Voices and Visions county showcase at the Malvern Theatres. Our repertoire includes a variety of styles including swing, rhythm ‘n’ blues, soul and motown.

"Your band are fantastic and brought the show to a super finale"

ALWYN DAVIS
CHAIRMAN OF WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
(VOICES AND VISIONS SHOWCASE 2008)

PARTICIPATION:
The band is open to any student who plays an orchestral instrument. Vocalists are auditioned through the Pop Icons competition and competition is very strong.

LISTEN
TheJazz Band performing live at Victoria Embankment Gardens in London
A studio recording from the 2007-2008 end of year CD

P O P   I C O N S
Pop Icons is a vocal competition. It is an eagerly anticipated event in the school calendar, with student vocal performances often reaching a professional standard backed by the highest quality production in lighting, video and sound. This year 10 vocal acts from Saint Augustine’s were selected to go through to the County Pop Icons Final, an unprecedented number from a single school.

PARTICIPATION:
Singers must audition to be selected for the final show. Auditions take place in October each year.

LISTEN
A recording from this years show by Ciara McGhie and Rosie Kemp
The 2008 winning solo performance by Jack Montgomery.

T O U R S
One of the highlights of being involved in the Music Department is our annual concert tour. Last year saw students performing in Rome and Naples in Italy, linking with an Italian music school, whilst this year saw performances in London at Saint Paul’s Cathedral and Victoria Embankment Gardens. Next year the destination is Barcelona.

"This band are fantastic and the pupils are a real credit to the school. Thankyou for coming down to London and making it a really enjoyable afternoon."

AN AUDIENCE MEMBER
(VICTORIA EMBANKMENT GARDENS CONCERT, LONDON 2008)

PARTICIPATION:
Places are always limited and in high demand. Students must be a member of either the Senior Choir or the Jazz Band.

LISTEN
A recording of ‘Lord Have Mercy’ taken from last year’s “A Year in the Life Of” CD
"Get Happy" performed live in London during last years tour

L I T U R G I C A L    M U S I C    M A K I N G
The music department supports the liturgical life of the school by providing music for masses and other events. We hold an annual Carol Service and twice a year we provide the music for mass at Saint Peter’s church in Bromsgrove and Mount Carmel church in Redditch.

PARTICIPATION:
All students are welcome to sing or play at liturgical events.

C D S    A N D    D V D S
The music department has a professional quality recording studio which is put to full use throughout the year. Each year sees the production of a double CD “A Year in the Life Of…” which contains recordings from all concerts and events. Tours and concerts are also documented on DVD.

All CDs and DVDs are available from the Music Department.

C O N C E R T S
Carol singing, workshops at local schools, Awards Evening, public concerts at venues such as Sanders Park in Bromsgrove and Feckenham C of E church and the Voices and Visions festival in Malvern are all amongst the events that make up a very busy annual concert schedule. The principle Music Department showcase is the Winter Concert which takes place in November. This concert includes the larger ensembles but also soloist and smaller groups.

LISTEN
A performance at this years Winter Concert by Tamsin White.

P R O D U C T I O N S
The music department is also involved in a large scale bi-annular production of a musical. This year saw sold out performances of Lionel Bart’s Oliver!

LISTEN
A live recording from this year’s production of Oliver!