Music Academy
The Preston Manor Music Academy is a Saturday community music school based at the School. It caters to children from Year 2 to Year 13. The Music Academy has won five major awards, including the first ever Mayor of London’s Music Excellence in Schools Award, Roland’s Champion School for Music Status and the ABRSM’s Music Mark.
The Music Academy not only offers its students the chance to learn an instrument but also the opportunity to play in an ensemble, sing and learn the theory of music. The study of music theory enables children to gain a greater appreciation of the pieces they may be learning in their instrumental lessons and a more thorough understanding of classroom-based music activities through all the key stages. Over the last twenty-plus years, the Music Academy has had many successes in both practical (including Grade 8) and theoretical music examinations from the full range of examination providers.
Students attending the Music Academy may choose to learn the piano, keyboard, drum kit, classical or electric guitar, bass guitar, ukulele saxophone, flute and violin. These are all taught in small groups of between 3 and 4 students.
Staff and Roles
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Mr K. Crawley | Head of Performing Arts, General Musicianship, Music Theory, Ensemble |
| Mr Huang | Saxophone, Keyboard, Piano, Music Theory |
| Ms A. Le-Mar | Violin, Music Theory |
| Mr S. Sharma | Student Supervisor, Flute, Music Theory |
| Mr J. Condison | Drum Kit, Keyboard, Piano, Music Theory |
| TBA | Guitar and Ukulele |
The Music Academy collaborates with English National Opera, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Brent Music Service, Old School Assembly and universities, including the UCL Institute of Education.
Every year, the Music Academy puts on a Christmas sharing as well as a spring and summer concert in which pupils play a wide range of instruments, both solo and in groups.
As we aim to rebuild our provision following the pandemic, the Music Academy is currently staffed by a team of 6 professional musicians that are not only teachers but are also working in the music industry as musicians who run their own recording studios, music production companies, sing and play in professional choruses, orchestras and chamber ensembles alongside teaching and further academic studies.
Links to performances:
Listen to the Music of Preston Manor on Sound Cloud – original music composed and performed by Music Academy students:
https://soundcloud.com/user-567477008/yazan-vagish-zain-with-abdellah-new-beginnings