Academic Music 

Pupils study Music Theory, Harmony & Counterpoint, Form & Analysis and History of Music throughout their time at St Mary’s Music School, whilst Composition and Improvisation also play their significant roles.

Aural Programme

Aural sessions and Listening are part of the rhythm of each day, taking place between 8.30 and 8.45 each morning, except for Wednesdays, when Choirs take over - as singing is an excellent way of developing the ear, every pupil participates in Choir on a weekly basis.   

The principles of Dalcroze and Kodály are also explored.

Senior pupils are encouraged to study towards and beyond Grade 8 Theory and Practical Musicianship.

Music Theory

Theory forms the basis for reading music and is taught in small classes. ‘Beginners’ introduces Grade 1, ‘Intermediate’ encompasses Grades 2 and 3, and ‘Advanced’ deals with Grades 4 and 5, but classes can be taught multi-level so that each child learns at their own pace.

Pupils should provide their own books (ABRSM publishing, Music Theory in Practice by Eric Taylor, appropriate grade, and Theory is Fun by Maureen Cox, appropriate grade).

Composition

All pupils compose. Junior Instrumentalists (age 9-13) have opportunities to compose both within and outwith their formal Music lessons; a Junior Composition Club takes place at the end of the day on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Composition is a requirement for Advanced Higher Music, taken in S5, and for the Cambridge PreU exam, taken in S6. Class lessons are given by our resident composer Tom David Wilson.

Pupils can also take Composition as a one-to-one course. 

Pieces written for St Mary's Music School

Links below to work of some of our second-study composition students:

Brass CD clips recorded whilst at school, arrangement by pupil David Swan 

Intermezzo by Hugh Mackie (formerly Head Chorister at the Cathedral) played by Anna Michels 

Clip: Voluntary by pupil Max Carsley (then Head Chorister at the Cathedral), performed by Director of Music Paul Stubbings