All music students are given extra Theory lessons to complement their studies. These lessons involve students working through Grade exams linked with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and is often seen as essential for continuing their musical studies onwards to Higher Education. In the meantime, however, these lessons also help all students – from BTEC to A-Level – in their studies here at St Vincent College.

 

 

All students are given subsidised instrumental lessons from a team of peripatetic teachers who work at the College. Many of these lessons are geared towards grade exams with the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music, and are integral in complementing the teaching that is part of the BTEC and A-Level programmes of study.

 

St Vincent College has a flourishing choir that performs a wide selection of repertoire from Traditional Christmas Carols, to the up-beat works found in popular Musicals. The Choir perform a number of concerts each academic year, and can be found performing in the College Theatre, Gunwharf Quays and Cascades!

 

Although it is advantageous for you to read music - this is not a requirement. However, the ability to have fun certainly is, and anyone is welcome: just pop along!

 

 

Open to all types of musicians - from pop to classical - come along and practice your performance skills in a relaxed, tea-and-biscuit soaked environment! Already this year we've heard Bach, Beethoven, Schoenberg and Oasis!

 

This workshop then, is a small ensemble of musicians who get together and rehearse their performing skills, playing anything from their Grade pieces and own compositions, to anything that they feel like on the day! Remember: this session is about performing ANYTHING you want – whether it be classical or pop, so come along and play, or just come along and listen! All welcome!

 

 

Assisting students in the completion of their recording projects, this is a time dedicated to bands and groups for recording purposes only. Students will learn about microphones, placement, acoustics and recording and production techniques.

 

Each half term, there will be the opportunity for our students to perform in and experience a music concert either in-house or in music venues in the surrounding area. These will sometimes be themed concerts from all Popular music styles. Each term there will be a music concert that incorporates all music styles from the Classical, jazz and popular genres.

 

 

Playing all styles of jazz - from Trad to be-bop – the Jazz band is open to any musician who would like to either experience their first playing of Jazz, or the more experienced Jazz musician who would like to continue to develop their improvisatory skills!

 

All are welcome, whatever level of musicianship.

 

 

Run by A2 Music Students, the Modern Music Collective is a group of musicians that play music written from the beginning of the 20^th century onwards. In the pipeline we have, amongst other pieces, Terry Riley’s In C, Arnold Schoenberg’s, Six Little Piano Pieces, John Cage’s 4’ 33” and parts of Cornelius Cardew’s Treatise. Although the music is often perceived as ‘wacky’, the students have a great time in performing – and researching- these contemporary works.

 

Anyone is welcome, and you DO NOT have to be able to play an instrument to take part.

 

During the year the Music Department take students out to see various concerts, shows and gigs. Already this year we have planned a trip to Birmingham to attend a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 in G, a trip to London to see Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 and a regular slot called ‘Music in the Round’ at Portsmouth’s New Theatre Royal. Future plans involve popular music gigs, the odd opera or two and concerts performed by University students in the local area. There is also a yearly trip to the British Music Experience at the O2 Arena in London.

 

St Vincent College Btec students have recently won the Southampton Solent University ‘Battle of the Bands’. Competing with a number of other local College bands, our students were able to come out on top and win the event!

 

 

Two of our students – Dan Brown and Mariana Tapp – were recently the first musicians to need security clearance for a keyboard at the House of Commons, after they were asked to play at a Charity Function for our local MP Caroline Dinenage. The event went very well, with the students also recruiting more members for the Community Choir that they run at Elson School.