Why learn Music at San Silvestre?

Music is a subject that enriches our students’ lives and education in a multitude of ways:

• Musical training helps develop language and reasoning.
• Music can greatly contribute to our students’ intellectual development.
• Music leads to improved coordination: Students can develop motor skills. 
• Emotional development: through music education our students develop emotionally and have empathy towards other cultures.
• Pattern recognition: our students develop Maths skills through musical education. 
• Fine-tuned auditory skills: Students who practice music have better auditory attention.
• Music builds imagination and intellectual curiosity: Artistic education develops the whole brain and develops our students’ imaginations.
• Learning a musical instrument teaches our students self-discipline
• Development in creative thinking: Music education can help students to solve problems creatively.
• Music develops our students’ spatial intelligence.
• In the world of music education our students learn to work together in harmony.
• Music encourages our students to be responsible risk-takers.
• Music builds our students’ self-confidence.
• Music can be relaxing: our students combat stress by listening to and playing music. 
• Preparation for the creative economy: creative education can help prepare our students for the 21st century workforce. 

The students of San Silvestre develop musicality through singing, learning to play musical instruments and the study of Music in History.

Programmes of Study

The Early Years programme promotes balance, harmony, sensitivity, patience and musical appreciation.

The Primary Programme includes learning to read music, learning to play the recorder, to engage creatively with a range of musical instruments, to learn a rich repertoire of national and international songs. 

The Secondary programme is focused on musical appreciation. Music is offered to IGCSE level to students in Forms III and IV. The main components of the IGCSE course are: music theory, the history of music, the music of other cultures, composition and interpretation.

In Form V we offer a Music Appreciation course that embraces a wide range of musical genres and composers. Research and collaboration creates an environment of independent and creative endeavour.

Choir is on the carousel of Primary “Extension Experiences”. During her time in the Primary Section, every student will have an opportunity to be part of the Extension Experience Choir; in the Secondary Section the "Vocal Group" is open to all students from Grade 6 to Form VI.

In addition, we offer a range of extracurricular instrumental lessons. Girls can elect to  play one of the following: piano, guitar, violin, cello, double bass, transverse flute, clarinet, saxophone, drums or percussion. Our young musicians can become members of different musical groups and they may participate in concerts, the school play, the ADCA Music Festival, among others.

• Piano
• Guitar
• Violin
• Cello
• Drums
• Double Bass
• Traverse Flute
• Clarinet
• Sax
• Percussion

The Orchestra

The school orchestra meets every week and all students who play the violin or a wind instrument in Primary and Secondary are welcome to join. The orchestra provides students with a broader musical experience and it promotes a sense of unity among those students who learn different instruments in isolation; it also helps students to build personal relationships with fellow musicians. Playing in an orchestra makes our students more than learners of a particular instrument; it makes them musicians who work together to create and inspire!

Vision

To provide an authentic, practical learning program that engages students in varied and creative forms of thinking and expression, develops technical skill and artistry, and fosters a love of music and learning.

Why learn an instrument?

Scientific research shows that there are significant developmental benefits unique to instrumental study. Specifically, it has been proven that learning to play an instrument ‘improves our cognitive function, helps our memory systems work effectively, helps us learn language, helps us to moderate our emotional states, helps us to solve complex problems and also helps our brains to be healthier into later life’ (Anita Collins, 2020).

Most importantly, music-making is fun! It is a fantastic hobby that brings great enjoyment to many students, providing them with opportunities to make new friends and express themselves creatively.

Learning experiences and opportunities

Learning in instrumental lessons will be personalised for each individual student according to their experience, goals, interests and learning styles. Generally speaking, lessons will promote:

• Development of instrumental technique
• A variety of repertoire of different musical genres (as appropriate to the instrument and skill level)
• Musical literacy (learning to read music)
• An understanding of relevant music theory and terminology

In addition, all students who take instrumental lessons will be given the opportunity to:

• Join one (or more) or the school music ensembles (choirs, bands, etc)
• Perform at concerts, assemblies, recitals and events
• Complete music examinations such as the London College of Music exams
• Progress to advanced music studies through IGCSE and IB Music

Instruments

The following instruments are available for private lessons:

• Piano
• Percussion & Drum kit
• Singing
• Guitar
• Electric bass
• Ukulele
• Flute
• Clarinet
• Saxophone
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• Euphonium
• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Double Bass

Ensembles

Each instrumental music student is required to be a member of a school ensemble and attend all rehearsals and performances. This ensures they can apply their instrumental skills in a group context, developing their ensemble skills. Students can join any of the following ensembles that rehearse weekly after school:

• String Orchestra (for students of string instruments)

• Concert Band (for students of wind and percussion instrument)

• Choir / Vocal Group (for any student who enjoys singing)

• 'Multi-Instrumental Band' (for any primary student who enjoys playing percussion instruments)

• Guitar Ensemble (for students of guitar)

• Rock Band (for advanced students of selected instruments, by audition)

• Ukelele Ensemble (for students of ukelele)

Enrolment Forms

Enrolment Dates for 2025:

• Bimester 1 - Friday 28 February
• Bimester 2 - Friday 25 April
• Bimester 3 - Friday 4 July
• Bimester 4 - Friday 26 September

For further information about timetables, attendance and fees, please click here.