Academy Invests Heavily To Make Music The Food Of Youth

Somercotes Academy is investing heavily in Music as more students take up instrument lessons, including Royce Winters, pictured above.

Talented Music students at Somercotes Academy are being widely supported with huge investment and increased opportunities to learn to play instruments.

This term the Academy has extended its Music provision with a wealth of new resources, including brass instruments, new xylophones, boom whackers and a full drum kit. The Academy also has three full-size pianos.

Thirty-six students have taken up peripatetic lessons, including cello, drums, piano, singing and guitar lessons, which are all provided by the Lincs Music Service and take place during school time. Drum and cello lessons are both new to the Academy this term.

Promising students are also encouraged to pursue their Music further with the offer of two Music scholarships each Academic Year. Scholarship students have all of their lessons, exams and books paid for by the Academy for 12 months.

The Music Suite, with banks of computers and a range of instruments, is the icing on the cake for Ellen Barlow, Curriculum Leader for Music at Somercotes Academy. She said: “Music is so important for students, it teaches them how to read music and how to perform, but it also builds confidence. It makes friendships with students they wouldn’t normally have friendship groups with.

“Here in the Music Suite, students can learn to play an instrument but they can also create and record their own compositions.

“I want everyone who wants to be part of Music to come and see me. Music is an inclusive subject, and everyone should be encouraged to join in if they want to. Music is really being supported here at Somercotes Academy and it is lovely to see.

“Music students have the opportunity to perform in choirs, we have the French choir where they perform and sing in French, which also teaches them another language skill. We have a lot of Ukulele clubs going on. There is a Performing Arts Club and we are hoping to put on a small production with that group. It is so important for students’ self-confidence and belief in themselves.

“We have two Music Scholarship students this year. These are students who we see a great deal of promise and talent in, and they are really dedicated to their Music studies, practising in and out of school. That means that as an Academy we will fund their instrumental lessons to give them added support.”

Year 11 GCSE Music student and pianist Lillie Gregory (15) said: “Music is very calming and something that you can take into every subject. It is Science, it is English, and it just combines every single skill that you have. I just find it really relaxes me if I am feeling stressed or had a bad day. It really calms my nerves.

“My grandad encouraged me to play when I was about 9. He wanted someone in the family to play an instrument and no-one ever did, so I took it up and carried it on. It is really good, and after he passed away I played all the pieces he wanted me to play.

“The facilities here at the Academy are great. The pianos are very good and we have access to sheet music that I wouldn’t necessarily have access to at home. I can ask Miss for a piece and she will bring it up for me.”

Lillie believes everyone should be encouraged to get involved in Music. “I think if you ever feel like you can’t do it or feel doubtful of your skill then you shouldn’t because even if you are not very good, or you are at a very low level, you are making an instrument sing with just your hands or your voice and I think that is a very important thing.”

The Academy will be holding a ‘Winter Showcase’ of Music and Performing Arts at the end of the term.

Talented GCSE Music student and pianist Lillie Gregory (15) who has studied Music for six years.

Year 8 student Connor Buckley (12) is now learning to play the cello at Somercotes Academy.

Everyone is encouraged to take up Music lessons at Somercotes Academy as it promotes confidence and self-belief.

Year 9 student Penelope Shaw (13) plays the flute with Miss Ellen Barlow, Curriculum Leader For Music at Somercotes Academy. 

This year’s Music Scholarship students, who receive free tuition for the academic year. They are pianist Charlotte Capindale and drummer Karis Smith.

Somercotes Academy Year 10 student Joe Sellars (14) is a promising drummer. This term the Academy has taken possession of a new full drum kit.

Scholarship student Karis Smith on the drums.