Music at Simon Balle is a vibrant place to be - there is so much going on. We are a musical family and all our musicians make our work special. Their work echoes around our school every day and their achievements are made and celebrated amongst friends. We perform in many venues, and each summer at the world famous Saffron Hall. We support all styles of music and adapt our approach each year to cater for the musicians who work with us.

Our musicians provide the joy and hard work that we celebrate - a new performance, a new discovery, a new achievement, a personal triumph. Every day something new makes us smile and drives our wonderful team forward. We offer outstanding and supportive specialist learning to the highest level. Our teaching is rigorous and linked so much to the music profession. We nurture talent and ability at all stages and ages with a wide range of ensembles and opportunities. Our aim is that our musicians achieve excellence in every way, being exposed to a rich variety of influences, approaches and attitudes.

We expect commitment from our musicians, embracing our distinct ethos. Discipline with practice and commitment leads to success and achievement, whilst having fun along the way. An understanding of theory is really important - being able to read and understand music. The more students put in to their work and the department, the more they will get out. We respond to those who respond to us.

Our ensembles perform at home and abroad - each year we have been part of the music festival in Ghent, Belgium. Our musicians work with some of the top educators in the country. We have worked with Andy Scott from the Royal Northern College of Music and Jeffery Wilson from the Guildhall. Our students are given so many opportunities and it is up to them to grab them with enthusiasm and dedication. We pride ourselves in the quality and scale of these opportunities.

Pathway 1.

A level Music and 2 other A levels. A Level music is a qualification to prepare you for life as a musician. As part of this you might be taking a diploma, or auditioning for music college or to be a choral scholar. You will have timetabled practice sessions each week and respond to high expectations regarding progress. You will take a full part in our ensembles and choirs - essential enrichment that will also include supporting class lessons. We will support you as an individual to be the best musician you can be through masterclasses and a wealth of other opportunities, such as leading ensembles and working with younger musicians.

Pathway 2

You have music as your enrichment. You are not taking Music A level, but are working towards Grade 8 or a diploma on your first instrument and have a clear pathway of progression and expectation. Your enrichment pathway is supported, with masterclasses and opportunities, as well as your full participation in our ensembles and events. With this pathway, it is accepted by all that music is a subject that supports your academic subjects being taken, rather than hindering them.

We offer Music A Level (Eduqas), Grade 8 and London College of Music Diplomas. These cover all styles of music, including popular music and musical theatre.

A level Music creates musicians who have the skills to shape the future of music. They can read music, understand musical theory and can create their own music. They can perform to the very highest level in the genre of their pathway. We firmly believe that Music A level prepares all musicians for progress to University for any subject. It also requires all the skills to be a professional musician in the modern world at a Conservatoire, Popular Music college, Musical Theatre and more.

Grade 8 and Diplomas compliment Music A level and are performance exams at the very highest level.

Performers will have the opportunities to work with an accompanist or live band, depending on the genre of pieces chosen. This is an integral part of achieving the very highest standards in performance.

The weekly timetabled Enrichment slot is an opportunity to develop as a musician. They are open to al regardless of musical pathway.

• Jazz and harmony
• Songwriting
• Performance, including creating music in a band where posisble
• Continued individual practice
• Accompaniment sessions with a pianist

Musicians have to be able to work independently. Learning will involve tuition, daily practice (including Early Morning Practice), listening, rehearsals and independent study. Music is not a subject that is confined to the lessons. You will go to concerts, you will extend your listening, you will use the lessons as a starting point to develop your understanding and skills. The more involved you become and the more you work independently, using your time wisely, the better chance you have of the best results. There will be opportunities throughout the year for development. Much of our work on the programme will be driven by the musicians themselves - creating opportunities, making music.

Simon Balle Music alumni permeate all areas of the music profession, and lead the way at world leading festivals, in concert halls, opera houses and theatres across the globe. We are hugely proud of the breadth and diversity of their careers, and the significant contribution our alumni make to the music profession and beyond. For so many who have not made music a career, music is still part of who they are and what they achieve.

Our relationship with former students is lifelong and every musician who attended Simon Balle School is a member of our alumni community. All of our alumni have one thing in common. They are part of Team Music. 

Click here to see our Student Stories!

As part of our Offer Holder’s Week we will invite you to perform to us as well as join our rehearsals and concerts to experience first hand how amazing our music is. Changing schools can be daunting, so supporting you to already be part of Team Music is very important to us. We will meet with you as part of the interview process and ensure that we can support your individual musical pathway.

Staying connected throughout is vital for musical progression and to start feeling part of Team Music.