Music
Music is for all. It crosses all language barriers and can be enjoyed by all students in different ways. We seek to inspire, challenge and support our students so that they reach their musical potential as well as develop an appreciation of a wide variety of musical genres.
The Music Department at BBS is an extremely busy one. With our dedicated and committed specialist teachers, as well as a large number of instrumental teachers, we are able to offer an extensive music programme.
Music Lessons
Pupils in Early Years and Primary School experience Music in a variety of ways; it is an integral part of School life. Music is taught by a specialist teacher and each class has two weekly lessons. Throughout Early Years and Primary School students will have experience in performing, composing, listening and appraising. In addition, the recorder is taught in Year 3 to Year 6 to give pupils the experience of performing music in a group.
In Key Stage 3 the listening component includes music that ranges from Baroque to Rock and Pop music as well as the recorded performances of students’ compositions. Composition is therefore closely related to performance and appraisal, and will be taken to each student’s individual level of capability. It does include, for example, the simple completion of phrases, inventing ostinati, adding chords to melodies, and creating melodies to fit rhythms and chords. Students are taught, through experience, to perform music. Music is played, individually or in groups, on classroom instruments and on keyboards.
In Key Stage 4 (IGCSE Music) and Key Stage 5 (IB Music) students are taught the appropriate syllabus (please see the IGCSE and IB curriculum).
Music Groups & Activities
BBS is proud of its ensemble work, which takes place during lunch times and after School. The groups create an opportunity to develop the essential skill of ensemble playing, leading to better all-round musicianship and a deeper understanding of music. Ensembles and clubs currently offered at BBS are:
- Little Choir (Yrs 2 – 4)
- Vocal Ensemble (Yrs 5+)
- Berlin International Music Project
- Jazz Ensemble
- Samba Percussion Club
- Staff Samba Club
- Trinity Preparation (aural)
In addition to the instrumental performance opportunities, the school year is packed with annual events. This year, there will be a Winter Musical (Years 2 – 4), the BIMP concert in March, a Choir tour to Scotland (Vocal Ensemble), an Early Years musical production in June, as well as assemblies featuring our instrumental teachers and their students. Both school choirs are also busy performing at events in Berlin.
Instrumental Tuition
Our young musicians are encouraged to develop their potential, perform regularly and share their love of music with other committed instrumentalists and singers. At Primary School, most instrumental lessons are available during the school day. The full range of lessons is then available to all students from the end of the school day. At present, we are able to offer tuition on the following instruments: Piano, violin, viola, cello, guitar, voice, recorder, saxophone, flute, clarinet, and percussion.
To enable the students to perform in front of a live audience, instrumental concerts are held each term. As part of their music tuition students at BBS receive guidance in stage presence, as we recognize the importance of performance skills for all aspects of life. All our students are encouarged to introduce their own performances on stage.
We also offer a wide range of other musical activities to foster musical development, such as the opportunity of taking part in a range of instrumental ensembles in school, including orchestra, jazz band, and samba percussion group.
This year, our school orchestra has joined together with young musicians from other International Schools in Berlin. In the “Berlin International Music Project” students can join two orchestras, two choirs and a big band, according to their respective instrument and ability. An intense rehearsal period follows in-school preparation, leading to a concert.
Once a year we offer Trinity-Guildhall music examinations to the pupils taking instrumental lessons in school. In the past, we have entered pupils for examinations from Initial to Grade 8 in piano, violin, viola, flute, clarinet and guitar. This year, we achieved a pass rate of 100%.
