Music

Our firmly held belief is that Music should be available to all and enjoyed by everyone and that it is an essential part of the Moor Park curriculum, to be experienced both inside and outside the classroom.

We have recently moved into a new Performing Arts Centre which has a new computer suite as well as newly appointed teaching and practice rooms and a recording room.

Individual instrumental lessons, tailored to the age of the child and taught by a team of highly experienced specialists, are available in the all of the orchestral instruments, as well as Piano, Singing , Music Theory, Guitar (both acoustic and electric) and drums.

Among the instrumental chamber groups we have a Wind Ensemble, Flute Choir and Brass Ensemble, Junior Strings and Orchestra.

Moor Park boasts at least four choirs running at any one time, meaning every child has a chance to be involved musically and enjoy the experience of making music with others.

The excellent Chapel Choir is in demand for BBC local radio broadcasts, weddings and services and regularly gives concerts raising money for charities, as well as singing regularly in School Chapel The Concert Choir is open to all children of all abilities, with no audition required, in Years Four through to Year Eight and performs termly.  There is a Pre Prep Choir, which includes all children in Years 1 and 2 as well as a Junior Choir which includes all children in Years 3 and 4.

There are many opportunities for performance at Moor Park. Every Thursday we have a Chapel performance and there are informal concerts every half term, as well as an external concert during the Summer term. The annual House Music Competition takes place in the Spring Term and is usually adjudicated by Head of Department from an independent school.

We excel in Music Examinations, in both Trinity Guildhall and the Associated Board. These exams take place termly.

In the past, pupils have won music Scholarships and Exhibitions to schools such as Shrewsbury, Radley, Stowe, Hereford Cathedral School, Monmouth, Christ College Brecon and Malvern College.

Drama

Speech & Drama

Moor Park is committed to provide pupils with the opportunity to achieve their full potential. While learning and developing a whole range of techniques, pupils develop their personality, interact with their peers, enjoy new skills and most of all have fun, in a lively and creative environment. In this way, pupils gain a confidence and self belief, which will carry and support them throughout their lives.

Benefits of Speech and Drama

• Increased self-esteem and confidence
• Increased enjoyment of learning
• A growing command of language
• Desire to share and present ideas
• Desire to read
• Clearer speech
• Improved pronunciation
• Improved tone of voice

Around one hundred children enjoy private lessons at Moor Park.  All lessons take place in the vibrant dedicated Speech and Drama classroom which is fitted with a mini stage and professional stage lights. Children are encouraged to bring in used theatre tickets and programmes to add to the classroom displays.  They relate their weekly news, recite poetry and prose, study the history of Theatre, take part in vocal exercises, improvisation work and word games. As they progress, pupils are encouraged to write their own play and direct it in the classroom.  Each year there is the option to take part in the Hereford Performing Arts Festival and formal examinations which are moderated by the New Era Academy of Speech and Drama and accredited by OFQUAL and the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulations. We currently enjoy a 100% pass rate in these examinations.

Past pupils have won Drama Scholarships and Exhibitions to schools such as Shrewsbury, Stowe, Radley & Christ College Brecon.

Beverley Jenkins and Deborah Bertulis