Music at Harris Academy Wimbledon
‘Music is essential in the lives of young people. It is something that permeates everything they are and everything they do. Young people view the world through a lens of sound - it surrounds their social activity, creates opportunities for creativity and a safe space when the world feels like a challenging place’. Elisabeth Wigley, CEO, Music Merton Foundation.
We have a specialism in Music which means we invest significantly in resources and provide opportunities for students to develop their talents and abilities. We have an excellent instrumental programme and provide free instrumental lessons for all pupil premium students who wish to learn an instrument. Uptake for GCSE Music is significantly higher than the National Average and our enrichment and extracurricular programmes are inclusive. Commitment, hard work and artistic success are celebrated at HAWI and students are encouraged to ‘make a difference’ to themselves and everyone else around them.
- We offer instrumental lessons in the following:
- Piano & Keyboard
- Singing
- Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba
- Violin, Viola, Cello
- Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon
- Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele
- Drums
- The musical ensembles/clubs we have are:
- Keyboard Club
- Gospel Choir
- Steel Pan Band
- HAWI Singers
- Music Tech Club
- Whole School musical production each year
- Chamber Ensemble
- Upper School Guitar Club
- Lower School Violin Club
- HAWI Rocks Saturday School
- Music Theory Class
- Enrichment:
- Music Tech Club
- HAWI Glee
- Open Door Policy, students make use of the music classrooms before school/breaks and lunch and students can use the 5 practice rooms and ensemble rooms to rehearse and create music.
- Performance Opportunities:
- Student performance in every assembly
- Winter Celebration
- Whole School Production
- Summer Arts Festival, performances throughout the week
- Lunchtime concerts
- HAWI’s Got Talent
- Kings College School partnerships concerts
- International performances (e.g. 2024 Performance at Disneyland Paris)
- HAWI Vision
- Mundovision- Harris Federation Language Competition
- Harris Federation Orchestra and Harris in Harmony Choir
- Co-curricular and Partnerships:
- Trips, to the theatre and concerts
- Battle of the Bands- HAWI Rocks
- Merton Music Foundation providing workshops and opportunities such as a workshop with Lincoln Centre Jazz Ensemble, USA
- Music Partnerships with Kings College School Wimbledon
- Deep Learning Days:
- African Drumming Workshop
- Composition Workshop.
- Facilities:
- Two fully equipped music rooms with Mac Suites
- 5 Practice Rooms and Ensemble Room
- Recording Studio
- Music Store Rooms
- School owned instruments for students to use:
- Keyboards
- Ukuleles
- Djembe
- Trumpet & Trombones
- Violins, Viola, Cellos
- Clarinet, Saxophones, Flute
- Guitar
- Xylophones
- Pianos