Musical Opportunities

Next Previous

Music plays an important and distinctive part in shaping the ethos and culture of our school, and is a strength for which St Mary’s is renowned.

It is our belief that music-making:

is enjoyable
develops confidence and commitment
encourages a disciplined approach
improves co-ordination
is linked to academic development
brings a sense of achievement
enhances performance skills
facilitates inclusion
opens up present and future opportunities.

Here at St Mary’s we are very proud of the wide range of musical opportunities on offer to our children, and our talented Music Leader is held in high regard. In addition to the whole-class curricular music lessons provided to all pupils, the school is often involved in specific music projects (such as annual inter-school celebratory concerts and competitions), has thriving choirs and an orchestra, and its very own steel band. We were thrilled when our Chamber Choir got through to the final of the Barnardo’s National Choir Competition, and had the opportunity of performing at the prestigious Barbican Centre in London. Our ‘United Voices’ choir has been the proud recipient of a magnificent shield as sectional winner at the Peterborough Music Festival, and in recent years St Mary’s is delighted to have been able to send a contingent of pupils to London to participate in a ‘Young Voices’ Concert at the O2 Arena. Earlier this year, children in Year 3 very much enjoyed taking part in a SambaFest music and football project – a joint venture by Cambridgeshire Music and Cambridge United Community Trust.

Music plays a key part in our daily Collective Worship, and St Mary’s Christmas and Summer Music Concerts, and school productions, provide pupils with musical performance opportunities.

Instrumental Tuition

Approximately a quarter of our children opt to receive weekly tuition on the musical instrument(s) of their choosing, and we are keen for this proportion to increase as we believe that there are many benefits associated with learning to play a musical instrument, not least of which is the enjoyment factor. We would urge you to encourage your child to take up this exciting challenge.

Cost is obviously an important consideration, but bursaries are available to those in receipt of Free School Meals or in the care of the Local Authority, and a local charity is supportive of those able to demonstrate financial hardship.

Further information is to be found below.