The Ridge School is known for its Music Department and offers an outstanding music programme. Boys are exposed to music throughout their time at The Ridge, and we feel this contributes to the well-rounded and informed young person who leaves our school. Our department offers full involvement in class music to every boy, and specialist tuition on any instrument to any boy from Grade 2 upwards. Tuition is offered on the following instruments:
- Piano – Classical and Jazz
- Recorder
- Guitar – Accoustic and Electric
- All Woodwind Instruments
- All Brass Instruments
- Violin
- Viola
- 'Cello
- Saxophone
- Percussion
- Voice
70% of all Ridge boys study a musical instrument, with many of them involved in the various groups and ensemble playing. We believe that making music together is one of the best things one can do!
CHOIRS
We have two choirs - senior and junior- comprising over 50 in each. These choirs perform at many functions, enhance services and perform at many festivals and public occasions. The standard of their performance is widely known and recognised. They embark on a music tour every two years.
ORCHESTRAS
We have two orchestras, Junior and Senior. The Junior is a feeder for the Senior orchestra. Their standard of performance and repertoire is amazing and has grown and improved steadily each year. They have received various awards for their performances at the Eisteddfodau. We are justly proud of them.
WIND AND JAZZ BANDS
We have a Wind and a Jazz band which are both excellent ensembles. Their repertoire is very varied and the standard of performance is high. The players are all proficient on their instruments.
ROCK BANDS
The Ridge must be one of the only prep schools with a Rock Band. We have two at the moment. The standard of performance is remarkable. They perform regularly and have also received high recognition at functions and the Eisteddfodau.
STRING ORCHESTRA AND ENSEMBLES / RECORDER ENSEMBLE
These ensembles are competent groups with an excellent repertoire. They provide a wonderful opportunity for fine music making.
MARIMBA BAND AND ORFF GROUPS
These groups are amazingly popular and are very good indeed. The boys are very accomplished in this field and they have performed to great acclaim at many public functions. This has become a very important area of our music department. We are very proud of what they have achieved.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
We believe you must never make a little boy choose between sport and music - he must be given the opportunity to do both. Our sportsmen are nearly always superb musicians and we encourage a diversity of activity. In a survey conducted in 1996, and again this year, the boys themselves put music at the top of the list of ‘best’ things at the school.
This quotation by Shinichi Suzuki is very close to our hearts -
“If a child hears good music from the day of his birth, and if he learns to play it himself, he develops a sensitivity, discipline and endurance. He gets a beautiful heart”
WHY WE TEACH MUSIC
Not because we expect you to major in music –
Not because we expect you to play and sing all your life -
Not so you can have fun, but so you will be human –
You will recognise beauty -
You will be sensitive –
You will be close to an infinite beyond this world -
You will have something to cling to –
You will have more love, more compassion, more gentleness, more good –
In short – life!
Of what value will it be to make a prosperous living unless you know how to live!
