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Music Lessons and Scholarships
Music is a very important part of life of HAB. All students are offered the chance to study a wide range of instruments, including violin, piano, keyboard, flute, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, singing, drumming, guitar and bass guitar, through free one-to-one lessons.
Music Scholarships are also offered to Year 7 students who have two instrumental lessons a week, attend workshops with professional musicians as well as seeing live music every term.
What it means to be a Music Scholar
The Music Scholarship program at HAB is for gifted music students. Research shows that learning a musical Instrument, including singing, has a positive impact on brain function, wellbeing and learning. The cross-curricular power of Music means that students are accessing material learnt in Maths, English, Geography, History, Religion, Technology and The Sciences during music lessons. To be a Music Scholar at HAB means you are dedicated to Music, show a passion for learning your instrument and are dedicated to improving your skills across the Academy.
The opportunities you receive
Music Scholars will receive at least one instrumental lesson per week from a choice of; guitar, violin, piano, keyboard, bass guitar, singing, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drumming and tenor horn. Students will be invited to attend music concerts at The Barbican and other music venues across London. Students, when ready, will be entered for their music grade exams and will also have the opportunity to perform within and outside of the Academy.
The expectations of being a scholar
Music Scholars are expected to attend every music lesson, at least one enrichment club and to practice weekly outside of the Academy day. They are expected to take an interest in Music outside of the Academy, doing research on their instrument, watching performances via video websites and broadening their understanding of what music is. Music Scholars will grow to be ambassadors of the Music department at HAB.
The application/audition process
Students are invited to apply to be a Music Scholar by asking their Music teacher for an application form at the start of Autumn term. Students do not need to have studied music before, all applications will be considered. Students will be invited to attend an audition at HAB at the beginning of the Autumn term. This audition will require the students to take a standardised listening test and then perform a solo on an instrument of their choice. If a student does not currently play an instrument they must prepare a speech on why they have what it takes to be a scholar at HAB and why they should be given a place.
To find out more about our music curriculum, music scholarships and free instrument lessons please see the music section of our subject pages.