Music

Besides the obvious pleasure it gives them, learning music is critical to the overall development of young people. Our exciting musical programme brings vibrancy, spontaneity and beauty to School life. All our students study musical appreciation in the first year and we encourage every other form of musical activity. Learning to play an instrument builds confidence, whilst taking part in the choir or orchestra subtly develops collaboration, creative thinking, invention, imagination - and lasting friendships.

Music is a universal language, a common bond between all the cultures of the world. Learning music improves teamwork and communication, and builds self-esteem.
It enables students to explore their own emotions and interpret those of others. Research also shows that young people who study music often demonstrate a marked improvement in other subjects.

St Bede's has a very strong musical tradition. We offer a wide range of individual instrumental tuition and students can study Music to GCSE and in the Sixth Form take Music or Music Technology at A Level.

Many students and staff are involved in musical activities, often performing together. We offer a vast range of opportunities to perform: orchestra, choir, and many instrumental ensembles, including the Latin Percussion Group and the Jazz Band. Professional musicians regularly lead workshops, giving students the chance to perform with them in the evenings. There is an ambitious programme of concerts both at home and abroad, including annual events at Chichester and Winchester Cathedrals.

Music Technology
In Music Technology at St Bede's the belief is that Music is in the ear of the listener and in this case the ear of the student. The experienced and industry-working staff strive to deliver as much knowledge and tips/tricks of the modern music production trade: covering, live engineering, studio recording, acoustics, synthesis (sound creation and manipulation) as well as a fountain of knowledge on the business side of the music industry.

At this time St Bede's is running The BTEC Music Technology Course in the Sixth Form, which offers greater opportunities to learn a wide range of practical techniques. The music technology department has a wealth of varied equipment for the students to use:

Studio One:

• Mac Pro quad core 3Ghz Zeon Processors 4Gb Ram
• 30" Mac Cinema screen
• Logic Pro 7.2
• Native Instruments Kompleate 4
• Mackie ONYX 32-80 series mixing console
• Motu 24 I/O
• Focusrite Twin-track pro
• TL Audio C-5021 Stereo Valve compressor
• Korg Triton Le 7 octave Keyboard
• Fostex D1624 Multi-track recorder
• Tannoy Reveal Active 8" Cones
• Zoom RFX-1000

Studio One's main principle of working is for the learning of multi-track recording, either through recording straight to Logic Pro 7.2 or using the Dedicated Fostex 16 track Recorder. This room's main console is the new Mackie ONYX 3280, which working in conjunction with MOTUs 24 I/O Soundcard (24 analogue inputs and 24 analogue outputs) means there is great flexibility for all different kinds of recording and mixing styles.

Studio Two:

• I Mac 2Ghz PPC Processor 2Gb Ram
• Logic Pro 7.2
• Native instruments Kompleate 4
• Motu 828mk2
• Mackie Control
• Sound craft Compact 4
• Beringer Truth 8" cones
• Evoloution MK 225-C
• Roland GI-20 Guitar midi interface

Studio Two is situated in our acoustically treated room ‘Pro Booth' and is mainly used for the mixing and production of syntheses and sampler based projects, although can just as easily be used for multi-track recording projects.

Studio Three:

• PC 2Ghz Pentium 4 processor 2Gb Ram Dual screen
• Cubase 4
• Native instruments Kompleate 4
• Hammerfall
• Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer
• Spirit Absolute 2
• Evoloution MK 225-C
• Yamaha Motif-Rack
• Samson Servo 260

Studio Three is a platform based on Cubase 4 the primary use being focused on mixing, synthesis and sampler based production and multi-track recording. This workstation is digital and runs via the ADAT system.

All three studios have the flexibility to run back to our sound booth for the recording of drums, guitar amplifiers, sax players and other instruments.

The possibilities are endless in Recording and Production; there are many opportunities every year for learning about live sound including, Drama Productions in their surround sound Theatre, Rock Bands, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Choir Recordings and many more.