Music is taught to KS3 via a lesson a week with our visiting music teacher, Cllr David Stanley, founder of The Music Man Project. David also provides access for pupils to a weekly Saturday music school, support for performances and fundraising events and opportunities for musically inclined pupils to attend work experience with the The Music Man. The project also provides the school with access to the local Southend Music Hub (“Music on Sea”). This has led to the provision of one-to-one drum lessons and access to funding, instruments and musical equipment for students in KS4, and enabled the school to develop an effective music provision for all pupils.
Pupils also have the opportunity to learn guitar and band skills as part of our Friday afternoon free choice provision.
In October 2017, 2 students from St Nick’s School, Daniel and Harley, had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of performing at the London Palladium as part of the Music Man Project’s ground breaking show.
This year’s show delivered more memorable landmark moments including a Guinness world record attempt and the debut of The Label, a mini-musical adaptation of the book by Caroline White. The performance featured hundreds of musicians with learning disabilities from across the south-east, on stage alongside some very special guests.
Daniel and Harley really enjoyed performing in the limelight and we look forward to more exciting events in partnership with the Music Man.
We are delighted this year to be offering the chance for a large number of our pupils to have 1:1 music tuition. So far we have had a great deal of interest in learning the drums, keyboards and guitars. We think it is vital for pupils to have the opportunity to learn how to play a musical instrument and look forward to the day when we can introduce the St Nicholas School Band!
The School Choir is now in its fourth year. During that time we have given performances at the Cliffs Pavilion, London Palladium, local care homes and at our annual Carol Service and Summer Fete. The choir currently numbers 25 pupils aged 11-16 and all pupils are welcome to join, regardless of singing experience.
On March 1st we took part in Southend Makes Music at the Palace Theatre which is a musical celebration with performance from local secondary schools in Southend. We sang a range of contemporary songs with some amazing solo performances. Although the pupils were quite nervous, it was a night to remember with many compliments paid to our pupils for their amazing performance. Well done!