We share a love of music - our dedicated team of 12 instrumental teachers and 4 academic staff ensures that every child can experience making music, discovering their talents and building skills to last a lifetime.
In a typical week, from Primary Orchestra at 7am on Sunday mornings through to the Elite Funky Brass on Thursday afternoons, the Music Department at BSAK is awash with the sound of music.
Around 430 instrumental lessons are taught every week, from beginner classes through to Diploma-standard, we truly aim to cater to everyone's needs.
Our dedicated team of academic and instrumental staff strive to ensure that every student is given the opportunity to express themselves musically in whatever way suits them best - as an academic musician, as a keen instrumentalist or simply someone who wishes to learn more about music.
Instrumental
The Strings department at BSAK aims to develop playing and performance skills at all levels from beginner to diploma. We encourage our students to engage with others by participating in the numerous ensembles on offer, as well as providing the environment and resources to realise their full potential.
Students at BSAK have the opportunity to learn the violin, viola, cello or double bass.
The Woodwind Department at BSAK enjoys the skills of both a reed and a flute specialist, who together offer a comprehensive woodwind education, providing individualised instruction in the following instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Recorder and Saxophone.
Woodwind instruments are incredibly versatile and can be effective in any musical style, which is why our department incorporates all genres in the many ensembles on offer.
With students ranging from beginner to diploma level, we have created an inspiring space, allowing a musical journey that is bright, interesting and joyful.
The Singing Department at BSAK is a welcome space for students wishing to develop their vocal skills in all musical directions.
Whether it be at Unplugged, a wonderful opportunity for singers to perform with a live band, representing the school at Young Musicians of the Gulf or at one of our Informal Concerts, our students have the chance and support to flourish. The Singing Department offers lessons specialising in Classical, Musical Theatre and Rock & Pop and regularly enters candidates for ABRSM exams as well as Trinity Classical and Rock & Pop..
BSAK is home to a lively and enthusiastic Brass Department which caters for all brass players from Year 2 to Year 13. All brass instruments are taught here and beginners are encouraged to join an ensemble early on to build their confidence.
We cater for every different performance level too, with ABRSM and Trinity exams, and whether you like Classical, Jazz, or Pop music, there is something for everyone here!
Guitar tuition is very much in demand at BSAK and we currently have over 100 guitar students attending weekly lessons . We provide tuition for classical, acoustic, electric and bass guitar and in Classical, Rock & Pop, electric or acoustic styles, according to students’ needs.
We prepare students for ABRSM exams as well as Trinity Classical and Rock & Pop. We have students from beginners up to diploma level and our students have excelled in international competitions such as Young Musicians of the Gulf.
The Piano Department at BSAK offers one to one piano lessons to students of all ages and levels - from Beginner to Diploma standard.
As part of your child's tuition he/she will also be encouraged to participate in a number of activities such as Piano Concerts, Chamber Music Projects (students collaborating with each other), preparing for examinations, or joining our Instrumental Inter-house Music Competition.
We also offer free aural and music theory training for those who choose to do exams. We try to make our lessons fun and exciting, making sure that every child receives the very best quality of music education.
Over 25 ensembles rehearse each week culminating in a wide variety of performance opportunities; from informal soloists’ concerts, to more formal events featuring the larger bands and orchestras.
Our concert series are unrivalled with informal beginners concerts, pre-school pop-up concerts, Unplugged Rock N Pop Concerts, instrumental and singing concerts through to our more formal Ensemble Concerts (2 per year) and our annual Concerto Concert, not to mention year group musical shows in primary and regular community concerts.
Over the course of an academic year, the department will host around 50 concerts and the School also has a Community Choir.
We are a Centre for both ABRSM and Trinity Rock & Pop and Classical exams and around 250 exams take place every year. Students at BSAK regularly score distinctions and merits in these exams and the average mark achieved is substantially above the international average.
The department regularly collaborates with the Drama Department to produce whole-school Musical Productions. Recent shows include The Pirates of Penzance and The Return of The Forbidden Planet. We also provide a number of trip experiences where students can develop their skills in an alternative learning environment.