Music in Early Education at Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong

Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., August 06, 2019 –(PR.com)– Shrewsbury School (UK) has a long held record of success within musical performance and the performing arts. For many generations, students there have been encouraged to perform for peers, parents and visitors of the highest accord. With the successful delivery of a purpose built Music School, opened by the Prince of Wales in 1999, the Shrewsbury school ensured that the tradition would be carried firmly forward.

Keen to deliver a similarly aspirational programme within its premium primary setting here in Hong Kong, Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong ensures every child receives a full and rich education in Music and the Performing Arts. All students enjoy music lessons as part of their weekly timetable. During these lessons, students will make progress on a range of classroom instruments including recorders, ukuleles, and pitched percussion instruments. Students also attend a weekly choral session where they enjoy learning new songs while developing their understanding of how music works.

Following a long standing tradition, it was necessary to undertake a thorough evaluation of the way in which music and musicality impact upon the development of young children. In doing so, they discovered a number of recently conducted studies that supported the long held notion that music enriches learning broadly.

Mary Luehrisen, Executive Director of the National Association of Music Merchants, summarises expertly, �When you look at children aged between two and nine, one of the significant breakthroughs is the benefit music brings to language development.”

Kyle Pruett, Clinical Professor of Child Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, supports and extends this thinking. “The development of language over time tends to enhance parts of the brain that help process music – and language competence is at the root of social competence. Musical experience strengthens the capacity to be verbally competent.”

Offering their summary within a recent study for the German Institute for Economic Research, Ardian Hille and Jurgen Schupp have clarified that cognitive and non-cognitive skills are improved by personal musical tuition. It is clear that considerately guided musical experience supports learning both across the curriculum and beyond.

Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong’s Music Curriculum and Instrumental Music Programme ensures that students learn to appreciate a wide range of music and develop their personal performance skills. The Music department benefits from two whole class teaching rooms, six peripatetic practice rooms, a state-of-the-art Recital Hall, and an auditorium capable of hosting almost 500 guests.

Shrewsbury offers all students the opportunity to have individual instrumental lessons at school. Lessons are delivered by visiting teachers and take place predominantly during the school day.

The Music programme also extends well beyond the bounds of the school day. Students who attend Music after school form an ensemble and rehearse for school performances throughout the year. Some activities are undertaken by invitation or audition only, requiring a minimum standard of playing and an ongoing commitment to regular rehearsals and performances.

Studying at Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong is an inspiring, enriching and exciting experience. Come and visit their thriving community and see for yourselves.

For more information and to sign up for one of Shrewsbury Hong Kong’s regular Wednesday Morning tours, please head to https://www.shrewsbury.edu.hk/events-community/events/talk-tour

Media Contact:
Daphne Wang
Marketing Manager
daphne.w@shrewsbury.hk
852-24807617

About the school:
Founded by Royal Charter in 1552, Shrewsbury School is one of Britain’s most outstanding schools and among the original nine “Great Schools” of Britain. Shrewsbury’s tradition of academic excellence reaches all the way back to the time of Queen Elizabeth I, who in the 16th century supported its development and expansion to become one of the finest schools in the country.

Providing education for children aged between 3 and 11, primarily from an international background, Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong opened within a world-class, purpose-built facility in Tseung Kwan O in August 2018 and was conceived and built with an ambitious and singular focus: to provide the very best international primary school education in Hong Kong.

Specialists in primary education, the school offers a unique range of opportunities and an unrivalled commitment to the development of the youngest students in the region.