Increased Investment In Music Means New A-Level Course For Tollbar Academy

Music tuition at Tollbar Academy has never been more popular. So much so that from September 2012 we will be offering A-Level Music Technology at our Sixth Form College, in addition to the already successful compliment of courses. To be able to do this we have appointed a new member of staff and are looking forward to the opportunities this will open up for our students.

In terms of courses, we already offer GCSE Music, GCSE Performing Arts, International Baccalaureate Higher and Standard level Music, and A-Level Music. Students at our Sixth Form College are also able to study for the Silver or Gold Arts Award as part of their Enrichment activities.

Music instrumental and vocal tuition continue to flourish with more than 120 students now having a paired of individual lesson each week. the majority of these students are working towards grade exams and, such are the numbers, that we run our own centre for ABRSM in Spring term. All students enrolled on instrumental or vocal lessons are expected to join an ensemble and to participate in concerts.

Last Summer, the chamber Strings under the direction of Mrs Francesca White, were invited, along with the string orchestra at Signhills Academy, to perform at the Royal Albert Hall at the Barnados Charity Event; a great opportunity to perform at such a prestigious venue.

Recently, more students have had the opportunity of performing on the stage at the Grimsby Auditorium for our annual presentation evening.

Throughout the academic year the various ensembles have the opportunity to perform at Academy events, as well as out in the community.

The year begins with the Inter-house Music Competition, held in October. The number of entrants appears to grow each year, and we now have to run the event over a whole week.

Preparation for the Presentation Evening is next on our calendar before preparing the Christmas Concert and the Carol Service at All Saints Church, Waltham. This year we will also be performing at the Springfield Junior School Christmas Fair.

During the Spring term everyone is busy preparing for exams in music. In the Summer term events have included a Sight and Sound Evening, held at the Academy. Here we combine Music with the Visual Arts and Technology. We also make visits to junior schools to perform in assemblies.

Finally, students need to have artists to aspire to, so we like to encourage touring groups to visit us for a day, to perform to students and talk about their life in the music industry. During this year we have had visits from, The Kixx, Six-D and Tilly. More visits are planned for the near future, including a workshop from the North East Lincs Pipe Band.

Press Article From The Cleethorpes Chronicle - Thursday December 8 2011