Music
Miles Quick - Director of Music & Head of Department
David Hedges - Head of Strings
Andrew Garton - Head of Wind
There are also 22 Visiting Music Teachers with their own specialities - some of whom are well-known soloists in their own right.
The spacious Music School adjoins the Queen's Hall auditorium (the most fully equipped concert hall in the Taunton area - complete with Steinway Model D concert grand piano and a recent 30-stop pipe organ with mobile console, as well as state-of-the art lighting and sound systems).
The Department's position in the middle of the college campus means that music is seen as a central activity in the life of the school.
All pupils in Years 7,8 & 9 take 'class' music. Thereafter it is an option for GCSE and A-level. However, many who do not take music as an academic option continue to sing and play an instrument to a high level.
The music staff provides individual lessons in all areas (including singing, piano, organ, strings, brass, woodwind, guitar and drumkit) to a large proportion of the school.
A flourishing number of musical pupils allows Queen's College Music Department to sustain many activities, including:
College Choir - a large choir (c70) with membership across all age groups and staff. Singing in assemblies and services with special visits to sing and play in churches and cathedrals in Somerset and beyond.
Choral Society - an even larger choir (c120) combining the College Choir with a large adult section of parents, staff and friends. Performs in two major concerts each year, often with full orchestra.
First Orchestra - A full-size orchestra for more advanced players, performing regularly in concerts, assemblies and services throughout the year.
Wind Band - A large concert band for the more seasoned wind players which performs on many public occasions.
Swing Band - a smaller group for advanced players performing the coolest kind of swing, jazz etc.
Chamber Orchestra - featuring the more advanced string players.
Intermediate Strings - a smaller string group feeding into the senior orchestras.
Singing Ensemble - for more advanced singers performing a wide range of 'chamber choir' repertoire.
Middle School Singing Ensemble - performing popular repertoire and run by one of our most experienced and enthusiastic singing teachers to encourage children in years 7 and 8 to get and stay involved with singing (an important skill for any musician, or indeed person!).
Sound School - a saxophone ensemble performing exuberant arrangements.
Brass Ensemble - a brass ensemble to nurture brass players.
Middle School Orchestra - for the younger up-and-coming musicians performing regularly throughout the year.
Chamber Music - Queen's has developed a reputation for thriving chamber music ensembles. As many pupils as possible are encouraged to play in string quartets, clarinet choirs, trio sonatas and similar genres.
