Music

The Music Department at Colchester Royal Grammar School is for everyone.  We aim to facilitate a broad curriculum supported by a host of extra-curricular ensembles which cater for musicians at various stages of their development. Our 'flagship' ensembles include our Orchestra and Choir, which continue to thrive and regularly perform both in school and at various external venues. In Summer 2022, 80 of our musicians went on tour to Liverpool and performed in local churches and a world-class concert hall.

 

Specialist Teachers

We are proud to be able to offer our students every possible opportunity for instrumental and vocal learning outside the classroom music curriculum. Lessons are arranged for students through Essex Music Service tutors, taking place throughout the school day in the many teaching rooms in Elyanore House.

The Music Department offers support and encouragement to students attending these lessons and monitors attendance weekly. We aim to make the experience as rewarding as possible for students and to make sure parents receive value for money. Students are expected to play their part by making every effort to keep organised and practise regularly. They are also encouraged to extend their experience by joining one or more of our ensemble groups and taking part in the 
frequent performance opportunities that arise throughout the school year.

Students who wish to learn a large instrument such as the organ or harpsichord are offered the opportunity to book practice time on one of the school instruments.

The School’s association for parents and friends, CRGSA, have been very supportive in providing additional instruments such as our baritone and tenor saxophones and their funds also helped us purchase a large collection of string instruments. 

The school is pleased to act as an examination centre for the Associated Boards of the Royal Schools of Music. The Music Department assists with preparation for these exams, offering students Aural and Theory classes as well as holding “Scales Week” to ensure that our students have the best chance of success and are confident when they come to perform in front of an examiner. Tutors also arrange for students to be entered for Trinity Guildhall and Rock School exams where appropriate.

A level Music

We teach the Eduqas A level Music course, which builds on the knowledge and skill-base of GCSE, progressing to more advanced composition, performance, and score analysis. Students from CRGS go on to study music at Oxford, Cambridge, and the leading conservatoires, as well as a wide range of other leading universities.

 

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