Students follow a structured course of half-termly projects.  Through explorations of both western music and world music, students will develop skills in aural perception, recognition and appreciation of musical styles and cultures.   A variety of practical opportunities are built into the projects to develop performance skills in vocal and instrumental music.  Students are encouraged to be creative and imaginative through composing activities.  At all times, work is designed to stimulate and develop students' awareness, knowledge and appreciation of the subject.  As part of Specialist Arts College status, the department now has a state of the art keyboard lab, vocal studio and access to our ‘Soundscapes’ Arts Technology suite, complete with PCs, music technology packages, midi keyboards and sound technology studio that has just been updated and expanded.

Extra-curricular Music

In addition to classroom music, the department offers a varied programme of extra-curricular activities.  Currently, activities include a community choir and senior choir, wind band, African music group, percussion ensemble, jazz group, rock band, flute ensemble, string group, guitar group and keyboard clubs.  Large concerts are held each term, with smaller more intimate performances throughout the year.  Regular trips offer students the opportunity to see a variety of concerts.  Under our new Arts College organization, we also operate a large Gospel Choir, Big Band and Wind Orchestra, all of which will perform regularly at major events. Recent projects have included a music tour to Vienna, Barcelona, Lake Garda in Italy, Les Miserables, Evolution (Concert of the Philharmonic Hall) and an Arts College tour to China in 2005.  We are currently preparing for a Kenya tour in 2007.

Instrumental Tuition

The department is fortunate to have a talented and dedicated team of peripatetic music staff from the Sefton Music Support Service.  Tuition is available on woodwind, brass, guitars, upper and lower strings, and percussion.

It is envisaged that all students should enjoy music in whatever form and develop an appreciation of the vast cultural heritage that the world of music has to offer us all.