Music plays a very important part in the curriculum at Forest. All children, from Nursery to Year 6, enjoy Music lessons each week with Ms Wellings, the school’s specialist Director of Music.
In Upper School, the focus is on broadening the pupils’ awareness of music in different genres, through the dimensions of Listening, Composing and Performing. We use the knowledge and skills gained in Lower School and extend them in different ways and in various contexts.
Singing is one aspect of Music that all Forest students especially enjoy. Songs are an integral part of all music lessons and are used to entertain, educate and encourage the children. Pupils sing regularly in class, at assemblies and in the playground as well!
In addition, there are three choirs:
Greenhouse Choir – for budding choristers in Years 2 and 3 (rehearsals for 15 minutes at break time once a week;
Main Forest Choir – for all interested pupils from Years 4 to 6 (rehearsals for 30 minutes at lunch time once a week, with additional rehearsals leading up to Christmas);
Forest Chamber Choir – an auditioned choir of just 12-15 members from Years 4 to 6 (rehearsals for 30 minutes once a week).
Forest pupils have sung at Manchester Cathedral, AO Arena, Stoller Hall, Trafford Centre, the Heaton Mersey, Alderley Edge and Altrincham Schools Festivals and many other local venues; we are very proud of their achievements and successes!
Each year, Upper School classes collaborate to perform a Summer Show, with Year 6 in the leading roles and Years 3-5 making up the chorus. This is an invaluable opportunity for the children to work as a team towards a shared goal, to practise together to achieve excellence and have a lot of fun and camaraderie along the way. It is undoubtedly a highlight of the Upper School calendar.
Upper School is where peripatetic lessons continue – we offer tuition with specialist teachers in piano, singing, violin, trumpet/cornet, guitar and drums. We are proud that enrolment in peripatetic music has increased year on year, and we now have over 45% of Year 1-6 pupils learning an instrument/singing. Pupils are expected to practise each day and to be diligent and enthusiastic about their progress. They have the opportunity to perform at assemblies and informal concerts throughout the school year, as well as at more formal school events. With guidance from their teacher, children can sit examinations with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Trinity College of Music and/or the Music Teachers’ Board. Instrumentalists can join our Brass and String Ensembles when ready as well.
We have a strong relationship with the other Bellevue North schools and take part in various joint activities. The Bellevue Northern Music Festival is held at the Stoller Hall in alternate years and features musicians from Forest, Forest Park, Brabyns and Edenhurst Preparatory Schools. This provides a wonderful opportunity for shared music-making, showcasing our pupils’ talents in a world-class venue.
Parents can keep up to date with the latest Music news by following our dedicated Music Instagram feed @forestprep_music
