Music

We introduced music back in 2010 with a small lunchtime group learning the recorder and music progressed with three of the students taking grade 1 & 3 ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) exams and achieving highly. That equipped us well to move on and look for further ways to develop music at DBCPS and we were able to offer woodwind teaching.

We are proud to say that two of our students have since secured music scholarships at secondary schools and a few other students have left our school equipped with up to a grade 3 examination level.

We are very pleased to say that our efforts in music have been recognised and we were awarded the ABRSM Music Award.

Benefits of Learning a Musical Instrument

There is various research about learning music/instruments linked to Maths as learning to play a musical instrument relies on understanding concepts, such as fractions and ratios, that are important for mathematical achievement. Also, based on a great number of studies, researchers claim that we all respond to music on a neurological level. Music affects our behaviour, psychology and reality perception.

Furthermore, music reaches out to develop skills and broaden students’ vision, raising their aspirations and taking significant steps towards securing their futures in the ever changing and challenging world.

Students are given the opportunity to benefit from a vibrant music tradition we have at DBCPS.  Music is flourishing in our school, and we are continually moving from strength to strength and pushing our standards ever higher.  Maintaining high standards generates the feeling that high achievement is the norm. It also raises the self-esteem of students involved, and this is celebrated by their peers.

Meet the Department

• Mrs Kouzel

  Office Manager

The Music department is coordinated by Mrs. Kouzel and a number of peripatetic instrumental teachers:

Contact Tutors Directly to Arrange Lessons

Mrs Stephanie Jarvis

Woodwind Teacher
Tel: 07545 565764 Email: sjarvis64@hotmail.co.uk
Bio: Stephanie plays a variety of woodwind instruments, including recorder, flute, clarinet and alto sax.

She was a Lead Teacher for Music for Advisory Services Kent for 6 years supporting music in Primary and Secondary Schools in the Swanley Area.  She has directed and produced numerous choir and instrumental concerts, the biggest of which was in 2010 when over 500 children performed at The Orchard Theatre in Dartford.

She has been teaching at DBCPS for the past 5 years, teaching whole class, small group and individual woodwind.  She set up and directs the Benenden Experience Day for Kent Music as well as recorder and choir festivals.  She plays for Dartford Concert Band, has been the musical director for 3 productions for the Dartford Amateur Operatic Drama Society (DAODS) and is the Musical Director of Hextable Wind Band.

Mr Mark Andrew

Piano Teacher
Tel: 07856 686238 Email: m.andrew1@live.co.uk

Bio: Mark graduated from Trinity College of Music, London in 2010 and since then has been teaching Piano and Keyboard across a number of Primary and Secondary Schools in Kent and South East London. Mark also has his own private teaching practice and works as a freelance accompanist for many local theatre companies, choirs and dance schools. He regularly enters students for ABRSM and Trinity Guildhall music exams.

Mr Ben Kelly

Piano/Keyboard, Voilin, Guitar, Drums, Brass
Email: bjtkelly@gmail.com

Bio: Ben Kelly is a multi-instrumentalist, who having graduated from Trinity College of Music in 2008, has since been performing internationally with a variety of critically acclaimed artists in Jazz, Pop, Classical, and Electronic music. His music has been featured on BBC Radio 1, 2, 3, and 6.

Having moved to the area in 2016 Ben has been teaching at DBCPS for the last three years. Bringing with him 15 years’ experience working in Music Education teaching Piano, Trumpet, Trombone, Violin, Guitar and Ukelele, and Drums.

Mrs Louise Yeates

Recorder Teacher
Bio: Originally from Dundee, I moved south to attend music college before qualifying as a secondary school music teacher. I have 19 years secondary experience and have been teaching in Primary schools for the last 5 years delivering the KS2 curriculum. At DBCPS I deliver recorder lessons to year 3’s and a recorder club on Friday lunchtime. ​I look forward to seeing some new faces next term.

Ukulele

If you are interested please email me at mightymelodymakers@gmail.com and I will be in touch to arrange a lesson time. Lessons will take place within the school day. No need to buy a ukulele for the first term as one will be provided for the lesson.

The yearly cycle of performances and events include: Individual performances by our students in the singing assembly. Local Recorder festivals, Talent Show, Dartford Primary Orchestra Day, local competitions, Benenden Music experience day, weekly singing assembly, KS2 Choir, Year 6 production and many music workshops.