Music is a key component of life for musicians and non-musicians, therefore it is embedded in every child’s education at the Dragon. In a department of fifty staff, we help every child to achieve their musical potential with a vast array of performance opportunities ranging from solos to major musical productions and the ‘Battle of the Bands’.
We deliver nearly 800 individual music lessons a week on a diverse array of instruments from traditional orchestral to rock and pop as well as more unusual instruments like the harp and the bagpipes. We run 60 music groups a week catering for a variety of musical tastes from classical to jazz. Approximately 300 children a year are entered for ABRSM, Trinity, LCM and Rockschool exams achieving an average of 40% distinctions and a further 40% merits. We also have numerous successes in our music scholarship applications to senior schools every year through our Potential Music Scholars programme.
All pupils in the School have curriculum music lessons in which they are taught basic skills on musical instruments and develop their understanding of music theory so that, by the end of their journey at the Dragon, they are confident and inquisitive young musicians. All children in Years 4 and 5 take part in their year group choir, performing in end of term concerts and 80 enthusiastic and talented children sing in the Dragon Choir.
We run a unique Ensembles Programme in which every child taking instrumental lessons will play in their corresponding ensemble. This is protected Music time in which children learn to listen, play as part of a team, count, sight-read as well as develop valuable social skills.
We also provide exciting opportunities to get involved in the creative use of Music Technology. The music pods house a state-of-the-art soundproof recording studio that is used to make high quality recordings of the many excellent bands and ensembles throughout the school.
