Music
In almost every culture throughout history, Music has been an essential part of the human experience. It engages the emotions, stimulates the intellect, enables self-expression and even sometimes provides a welcome escape from reality.
At QE, we aim to prepare our pupils for lifelong musical learning and appreciation. Through meaningful musical experiences, pupils develop their character, creativity and cultural awareness. Our curriculum is designed to nurture pupils as performers, composers and informed listeners. They are taught how to read and write music, how to perform expressively and how to listen critically to a broad range of styles.
The department has a strong record of leavers going on to pursue Music in higher education, with recent pupils taking up places at Selwyn College, Cambridge, Clare College, Cambridge, the Royal Northern College of Music, Southampton University and Jesus College, Cambridge (Organ Scholar). Pupils also regularly receive offers of a Choral Scholarship at Oxbridge when applying to read a subject other than Music.
The work done in the classroom is supported and enhanced by our extensive co-curricular programme and by a comprehensive range of individual instrumental tuition. The Music department is home to 25 peripatetic instrumental teachers, with the full range of orchestral instruments taught by specialists and lessons also taken on piano, organ, saxophone, drum kit, classical guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar and popular acoustic guitar. We run ABRSM examinations once a term.
QE offers a breadth of co-curricular opportunities to all those learning a musical instrument, whether in or outside School. The exhilarating shared experience of making music before an audience not only builds confidence into our instrumentalists and singers, but often inspires them to greater heights of musical sensitivity and accomplishment. In addition, the very discipline of preparing for such occasions sharpens boys’ musicianship and enhances their ability to work effectively alongside their peers.
Our annual concert calendar is brimming with opportunities for pupils to perform in a range of settings – formal and informal, in ensembles and as soloists, at lunchtimes and in the evenings. Highlights of the year include the Winter Concert and Leavers’ Concert and the Music department provides for the School’s annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols and Founder’s Day. There is also a yearly House Music Competition, Music Festival and Music Tour.
Many boys take an active part in music outside School, either with Barnet Education Arts Trust, or by attending the junior branches of some of the London colleges, including the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music. At any given time, there are usually several QE boys who have been selected for national ensembles representing the pinnacle of musical achievement for school pupils, including the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, the National Youth String Orchestra, the National Youth Children’s Choir and the National Youth Orchestra for Indian Music.
In almost every culture throughout history, Music has been an essential part of the human experience. It engages the emotions, stimulates the intellect, enables self-expression and even sometimes provides a welcome escape from reality.
Old Elizabethans: Running a record label
Mike Ajayi is running his own record label after striking it big early in his career in the highly competitive music industry.
He traces his love of music back to QE, where he was also a First XV rugby player. Mike (OE 1998-2005) started developing his own tastes at the University of East Anglia, where he got involved in writing reviews and running live promotions.
After periods with Sony Music Entertainment and Jive Records UK, he achieved his major break in 2011, when he joined independent label Infectious Music to work under industry legend Korda Marshall and signed indie band alt-J, who went on to become platinum sellers.
Today, his label, AMF (All My Friends) Records, part of the global Universal Music Group led by Old Elizabethan Sir Lucian Grainge (1971–1978), is achieving success with signings such as hip hop artist Loyle Carner.
Director of Music: Miss Ruth Partington
Miss Partington joined QE as Director of Music in September 2019. She has held a number of teaching posts, most recently as Assistant Director of Music (Academic) at Canford School in Dorset and previously as Head of Music at St Stephen’s International School in Bangkok, Thailand, for two years.
After taking a First in her Music degree from the University of Manchester, she went on to gain a prestigious professional performance qualification (PPRNCM) from the Royal Northern College of Music. A professional clarinettist and saxophonist, she also plays the piano and loves conducting.
“I am dedicated to using my instrumental skills and professional experience to help others realise their full potential in practical music-making. I regularly draw on my own experience of performing with ensembles as diverse as the Hallé Orchestra and the Royal Shakespeare Company to inspire and motivate my pupils.”
Miss Partington is also committed to making links between the world of performance and the disciplined, academic study of Music.
Senior pupil: playing it by ear
2024 leaver Danylo Gutsulyak has enjoyed the opportunity that Music lessons offer boys to create “beautiful pieces of artwork” in groups together, playing on the many instruments that are provided, as well as using their own. “I have recently been practising playing by ear and improvising, building on what we have been doing in group practical sessions.”
In addition to his Music lessons, Danylo was a member of several musical ensembles at the School - the Symphonic Winds, the Jazz Band, the Choir and Chamber Choir. “The amount of enjoyable extra-curricular activities, and the opportunity I had to regularly take part in concerts, really contributed to my enjoyment of Music.”
Old Elizabethans: Prize-winning professional tenor
Tenor Rhys Bowden is forging a career as a classical singer, after completing a degree in Music at Girton College, Cambridge, and a postgraduate course in vocal studies with the Royal Academy of Music, where he graduated with distinction and won the Hilda Anderson Deane prize.
Rhys (OE 1996-2003) first had his enthusiasm fired by QE’s then Director of Music, Kieron Howe, who suggested he take singing lessons. Within months, he was in the National Youth Choir.
He has sung all over the world – from Australia to Lapland – and performs with many different opera companies, as well as teaching private students. Rhys was awarded a Gil-Rodriquez Scholarship for his performance as the Mayor in Opéra de Baugé's production of Britten’s Albert Herring.
Upper School pupil: opportunities for self-expression
“I love composing. It gives me the chance to express myself; I can write whatever I like, which is enjoyable,” says Raphael Herberg. “We also get individual feedback on our compositions, which is really helpful.” He has found studying the set texts interesting, as it reveals the aspects of the music which make it good, or, indeed, not so good. “We study each set work carefully and in detail, so we are very secure in the examination.”
Raphael is also a performer and plays in the Symphony Orchestra, Celli, String Quartet, and the Camerata, we well as singing in the School Choir and the Chamber Choir. “I would like to study Music at A-level and am considering it as option at university or maybe at a Music College.
