Music plays a very important part in the lives of the girls in the Junior Department. All girls will receive two lessons a week, taught by a music specialist. In Year 2 and 3 this is extended to three lessons a week, to allow the girls to learn the recorder and so have a sound introduction to the reading of music and instrumental playing.

Trying out the trumpet!

By the end of Year 6 there are very few girls who do not take advantage of the opportunity to learn an instrument. We have teachers available for many instruments including the piano, violin, 'cello, trumpet, saxophone and drums. In addition, there are numerous ensemble groups that the girls may join.

· Choir

· Chamber Choir

· Training Orchestra

· Orchestra

· Recorder Ensemble

· Flute, Saxophone and Trumpet ensemble

· Flute ensemble

· Jazz Band

Performance is an important part of music. The joy of being able to share music with others is something special and there are many opportunities for the girls to do this during the course of the year.

· Informal concerts each term

· A Christmas Celebration

· A formal Spring Concert

· Summer Year Group concerts

As with all extra-curricular activities, where possible, they are organised so that there will be a musical activity on offer, regardless of ability, at some point during the week. Then, at a different time during the week, there will be a separate activity to take those more able girls to a higher standard. For example, Choir currently has 96 girls attending (all welcome from Year 3 upwards) whilst the Chamber Choir has 44 members, who have all auditioned for a place.

Year Three year group summer concert.

Drama is becoming ever more part of the Tormead Junior Department experience. The girls have always enjoyed drama lesson on their weekly timetable. In addition, each class performs an assembly to the rest of the Department once a term. For the first time this year we have been able to offer girls the chance to take LAMDA lessons or become a member of an after school drama club. For many the highlight of the year is the Year 6 production in the summer term. Recent years have seen wonderful performances of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat’.

Year 3 after their class assembly

The girls enjoy a full half term of dance lessons as part of their PE curriculum. The dance is often related to other subjects on the curriculum. Year 4, who study the life of children during World War Two, learn how to jive. Whilst Year Two complement their study of life on a Scottish island by learning traditional Scottish dances. The half term’s work is then celebrated in a wonderful Dance Exhibition Evening for parents.

Year 6 during the popular Spring Dance Exhibition