King Edward VI Five Ways School
Scotland Lane, Bartley Green,
Birmingham, B32 4BT
Tel: 0121 475 3535
Music
A Music Department for Aspiring Musicians
The Music Department is located in the Eyles Music Centre, a newly refurbished building comprising several well-resourced classrooms, two computer suites, one ensemble room, six rehearsal rooms for instrumental music teaching, a recording studio, two instrument storage facilities, a music common room and a central office. Music is compulsory for all pupils in years 7 to 9. We teach AQA for both GCSE and A-level, 8271 and 7272 specifications respectively, with A-level successes helping establish our growing alumni.
We do our very best to stretch and challenge individuals in lessons and have high expectations for examination achievement. Results have been excellent in recent years:
| GCSE Results | A-Level Results | |||||||
| 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | A* | A | B | C | |
| 2023 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 2021 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | ||
| 2020 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | |||
| 2019 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 2018 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | |
ABRSM, Trinity & Rockschool
Beyond the curriculum, we hold numerous practical music examinations each term with a significant number of entries over the course of the year. Our current achievement average is a Merit.
Each year, we have a large number of pupils successfully audition for and participate in local Birmingham Schools Ensembles, theatre productions and National Ensembles. Our own extracurricular program comprises:
Ensembles
Symphony Orchestra: for experienced players who have achieved grade 5 and above.
Chamber Choir: a four-part choir open to pupils from years 7 to 13. An ability to sight-sing helpful but not essential.
Cello Ensemble: for our able cellists
Young Voices Choir: a training choir for pupils from years 7 to 9.
String Ensemble: for our best string players.
Training Orchestra: for all pupils who play an orchestral instrument up to grade 5 standard.
Clarinet Ensemble: for our able clarinetists.
Flute Choir: for our able flautists.
Senior Classical Guitar Ensemble: four our most able guitarists
Electric Guitar Ensemble: for our electric guitarists.
Swing Band: for experienced players with an interest in jazz and swing.
Barbershop: a student-led ensemble. There have been many Barbershop quartets over the last ten years, with several members going on to sing in the Oxford Commas and others winning national competitions.
Since 2010, we have staged five full-scale musical productions and one opera:
2010 – Jesus Christ Superstar
2013 – Sweeney Todd
2015 – Fiddler on the Roof
2017 – Dido & Aeneas
2019 – Less Miserables
2022 – Little Shop of Horrors
We continue to be successful in preparing students for further musical study. Since 2010, pupils have successfully gained places at:
- The Royal College of Music
- The Guildhall School of Music
- The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
- Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
- Leeds Conservatoire
- Goldsmith College London
- Kings College London
- Royal Holloway
- Oxford University
- Durham University
- Cardiff University
- Bristol University
- Birmingham University
- The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
- University of Surrey
We have also been successful in helping pupils achieve Oxbridge choral scholarships.
Instrumental Music Lessons
We offer individual tuition on the full range of orchestra instruments including voice and guitar. Many pupils receive weekly individual instrumental music lessons from a team of 12 specialist teachers. All pupils receiving instrumental lessons in school are expected to join one of our many ensembles and are given regular opportunities to perform in our termly public concerts and recitals. Participation in events is essential in gaining Music Colours, of which there are three awards; Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Other opportunities include concert trips to Symphony Hall and contributions to local concert series. Recent performances include performances at Birmingham’s Grand Central station and Cathedral.