Gateways Music
Music at Gateways School is taught in a lively and committed manner and promotes pupil curiosity, interest and enjoyment in a wide range of musical activities. It is concerned with the creative, aesthetic and emotional response to rhythmic combinations of sounds. Creating and evaluating music enables pupils here to develop skills in composing, improvising, performing, listening to and appraising work which will lead to a greater understanding of the value and significance of music in society.
Extra Curricular Ensemble groups include:
Instrumental Ensembles
The instrumental ensembles groups, both large and small allow both beginner and advanced (Stella) players the opportunity to work in ensemble groupings, using appropriate material and thus gaining new skills and confidence in playing in public. All groups give regular concerts both inside and outside of the school and individuals from these groups take part in the House and Individual Music Competitions and at the Informal Concerts which occur regularly during each term.
Singing groups
Singing groups within the School are Harmony, Senior School Choir and the mixed voice choir of parents, staff and friends (Schola Portas) and the Prep Choirs. The Senior School Choir undertakes an ambitious programme during the year singing at all the important school functions and participating in concert outside the school including recently at Leeds Parish Church with Opera North in Leeds Town Hall, Pontefract Parish Church and Bradford Cathedral. Future plans include a participation in the Music for Youth Competition this year. ‘Harmony’ enables our advanced singers the opportunity to make choral music of varying kinds to an even higher standard. The mixed voice choir Schola Portas takes part in school events including the Candlelight Carol Services and concerts in school but also performs independently under the school’s banner. Recent performances have included performances of Stainer’s ‘Crucifixion’ and Handel’s ‘Messiah’ as well as performances of the Handel ‘Coronation Anthems and the Purcell opera ‘Dido and Aeneas’. Future performances include works by Britten, Rutter, Kodaly and Bob Chilcott. The Prep Choirs are involved in internal concerts, including the Christmas Concerts and Candlelight Carol Services. These group are directed by Alison Davies who oversees all the vocal and instrumental work in Prep.
Concerts
Concerts given by professional artists are a continuing feature of the School's musical life and this year will be the ninth season of International Concerts given by some of music’s leading artists. Great emphasis is placed on making music of a high quality accessible to pupils. To this end professional soloists and ensembles are brought into School to give afternoon concerts and workshops to the pupils followed by an evening concert, to which parents and friends of the School are invited. Concerts by Evelyn Glennie, Opera North, Noriko Ogawa, The Temperance Seven and the King’s Singers have been past highlights. This year we have already been impressed by the internationally renowned singing group Blake and future concerts and events are to include, Jeff Rich, (January 2010), pop singer Eliza Doolittle (February 2010) and Trio Melzi (March 2010) with concerts also at the planning stage for Emma Johnson, Alessandro Taverna, All Angels and Nicola Benedetti.
Informal Concerts have become part of the music events at Gateways. These concerts give pupils of all abilities the chance to perform, in a more relaxed atmosphere to their peers, teachers and parents and friends and have been taken into the community with coffee morning performances at local churches. In December 2010, individuals will take part in informal concerts within the close community in Harewood and the Harewood Village Hall. This will be followed by a series of lunchtime concerts over the Spring and Summer terms. There is a further concert planned for January 2010 which will see groups and individuals perform at the Etz Chaim Synagogue in Leeds.
Music Competitions
There are two major internal competitions each year, the House Music Competition, which has a set theme. This year the theme was the music of Michael Jackson. The Individual Music Competition is open to the whole school and has 14 classes ranging from beginners to the most advanced players.
All music events demand music of the highest order and in that respect allow all pupils, including Stella pupils, to develop a whole range of skills.
Singing and Ensemble groups also take part in local and national music festivals including the Harrogate Competitive Festival where last year the Senior Choir won two major trophies and the Music for Youth competition where we have been finalists in two successive years.
Musicals
In conjunction with the drama department, the music department has produced a number of musical and music dramas including, ‘Our Day Out’, ‘Smike’ ‘Grease’, Dangerous Abbey (a new musical composed, written and produced by members of staff) and most recently ‘Oliver’ performed by an all female cast. Pupils in Prep have the opportunity to be involved in several musical productions which usually take place in the Spring Term. These are directed by Alison Davies.
Associated Board Examinations
Practical and theory examinations take place once a term. There are usually enough pupils for two or three days worth of examinations. In recent years we have also open our sessions to external candidates and this has proved to be a popular choice.
Weekly Activities
These take place in the mornings before school, at breaktimes, lunchtimes and after school and include :
Monday
Harmony
Tuesday
Prep Percussion Group
Senior String Group
Upper Junior Choir
Senior Chamber Orchestra
Junior Band
Intermediate Band
Senior Choir
Schola Portas
Wednesday
Baroque Group
Prep Training Choir
Thursday
Senior Choir
Friday
Jazz Ensemble
Guitar Ensemble
A new Saxophone Ensemble commenced in January 2010.