Subject Music

Formal music education starts in Grade 8 with an introductory course which all boys take.  They are taught the basics of music notation, and implement their knowledge by using music notation software to compose their first masterpiece.

In grade 9 our class is refined into the strongest group of budding musicians from the previous year, to form a music elective class in which music performance is the main focus, with peripherals such as music theory and history being covered in a rudimentary way.  The use of music software to compose, record and sequence music is further developed.

Full subject music is only offered in the FET phase (Grade 10 – 12), but our students are generally well equipped to handle the subject after the Grade 9 music elective year. The IEB music curriculum is significantly different to that of the Department of Education, with more emphasis on holistic music knowledge, appreciation and performance, which encourage critical thinking and a better understanding of abstract musical concepts.

Entry requirements for subject music (FET):

An interview with the music staff determines the candidate’s suitability to take the subject.  Minimum requirements (loosely followed) are Theory Grade 2 and Practical Grade 3 completed before entering the FET phase.  In the final year (Grade 12) we encourage all students to perform at Grade 7 level (with theory at Grade 6 level) or higher.