Music plays an integral part of life at Foremarke Hall. From Nursery through to Year 8 all pupils are given the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of classroom and extra-curricular music activities. Class lessons for Years 5-8 are taught by the Director of Music, Mrs Susan Bloor. The Assistant Director of Music, Miss Laura Senior teaches class music from Nursery to Year 4. Experience, fulfilment and enjoyment for all are our top priorities in addition to aspiring to the highest of standards.
All Prep School children receive weekly class music lessons in which a broad syllabus is covered, encompassing music of the Western European classical tradition, world music, jazz and popular music. Children also study theory and composition; the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music theory syllabus is covered in class. All children learn how to notate music and once their compositions are of an appropriate standard they go on to use Sibelius in our IT suite. In 2009 two of our Year 8 children attained an A grade in the music GCSE examination. In September 2010 teaching commences on the new Edexcel music syllabus – pupils who reach an appropriate standard are invited to attend additional GCSE classes in order to prepare and be entered for the examination in Year 8.
The department has significantly expanded over the last few years. We have a team of 26 visiting staff, many of whom also teach at Repton thus providing great continuity for our young musicians. Tuition is provided on all orchestral and band instruments along with piano, organ and voice. Children are entered for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music examinations at school – Foremarke Hall hosts three examination sessions per year. Recently formed ensembles include a harp ensemble, string quartets and a Wind Band, the Wind Band reached the final of the National Concert Band Festival in 2010. Foremarke also has well established orchestras, choirs, junior wind ensembles, a brass band, jazz band, guitar ensemble, samba group, string orchestras and flute ensembles. Opportunities in ensemble playing are provided from Pre Prep upwards, thus helping to build confidence in performance in addition to discovering the immense enjoyment which is experienced when performing together. Several members of staff from the Repton Music Department visit Foremarke to direct ensembles and Foremarke children have many opportunities to perform with Repton students – our Chamber Choir sings alongside the Repton Chapel Choir at Joint Services and our Wind Band perform with the Repton Band at the annual Repton Christmas Band Concert.
Other numerous performing opportunities include fortnightly musical assemblies which provide an informal 
performing platform for all. Concerts take place in the Michaelmas and summer terms – in addition our Carol Service is a significant and most enjoyable occasion and experience for our choirs and in the summer term musicians are actively involved in the concert programme on Speech Day. Lent term sees the popular House Music competition in which children of all abilities are invited to perform as a soloist or ensemble member – House Music evenings are a fun and informal experience for our young musicians and the final provides those selected to represent their house with a more formal performing opportunity. In addition we regularly attend music festivals, the annual Concert Band Festival and give performances in our local churches, St Saviours and St Wystans. Foremarke music pupils have also entertained elderly residents at the Dales in Repton and children at the Rainbows hospice in Loughborough. Several Foremarke pupils have also been members of national ensembles, most recently the National Youth Choir and National Children’s Orchestra.