The F uture of
Music Technology
at S evenoaks School
The Music department is looking to expand its
music tech provision considerably over the coming
years. We already have a state-of-the-art studio and
professional microphones enabling students to record
and professionally produce their own pieces of work.
Lately, students interested in the recording process
have combined with keen songwriters to make a
compilation of the best of the Songwriters’ Club, due
to be released in October 2017.
Towards a university-standard digital experience
Software
In the Easter holidays the school invested in the latest
iMacs installed with Logic Pro X. These are now used
extensively in the KS3 curriculum and offer new choices
to those taking Music in Year 10 and beyond in their
composition lessons. It grants students the possibility
of accessing the SSC (Sevenoaks School Certificate)
curriculum even if they don’t read music or play an
instrument to a high level, but are nevertheless highly
creative at using music production software such as
GarageBand, Fruity Loops, and Logic.
Performance
Next year it will be possible for students to perform their
musical creations from Logic live. Whereas previously
they were only able to press play on their phones to
show their peers their work, starting from September
2017, students will be able to recreate their music live
via the use of the various products the department
has invested in. This will give our budding music tech
students the invaluable opportunity to perform live and
help to expand the concert provision at Sevenoaks to
include more contemporary music.
DJ ing
Added to the Music calendar this year was a Club Night
for the Sixth Form, which gave a number of students
interested in DJing the opportunity to perform live for
the first time at Sevenoaks. The evening also raised
money for worthwhile causes in Sri Lanka.
With the ongoing investment in music technology,
Sevenoaks will be able to offer students experiences in
the world of digital music that rival those of universities.
One-to-one music tech lessons are available to students
as well as regular times throughout the week where they
can compose and create music under supervision in P38,
the Music Mac room.
Simon Palmer
60
MU S IC R E V I E W
S E V E N O A K S S CH O O L 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7
61