The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) is Abu Dhabi’s leading British not-forprofit, co-educational day school. From Nursery to A Level (3 – 18) our dynamic school culture offers students an enriching experience and outstanding results.
A community committed to inspiring our students to create an impactful legacy
Empathy and Care
Respect and Inclusivity
Honesty and Integrity
Endeavour and Resilience
Director of Music - Welcome Message
Event Dates
Our Music Curriculum Team
Our Heads of Instrumental Team
Our Instrumental Team
Primary Curriculum
Secondary Curriculum
GCSE Music & A Level Music
School Productions
Co-Curricular and Enrichment Clubs
Instrumental Tuition
Scheduling of Instrumental Lessons
Expectations of Instrumental Lessons
Interest in Instrumental Lessons
Music Wellbeing
Practising Beyond the Classroom
Communications - Parent Portal
Communications - Social Media
We are proud to be one of the only schools to have such a large department of exceptional professional musicians, which form our team of 14 full time instrumental teachers, as well as four Music curriculum specialists and a Music administrator.
Last academic year, 2023/24 was the start of the wider opportunities programme for our Primary students and has enabled students from Years 2 – 6 to experience a wide variety of instruments. This programme has now been embedded into our Primary curriculum and will provide experience for students on a variety of orchestral instruments throughout their learning journey at BSAK
We now provide in excess of 550 bespoke instrumental lessons per week, as well as almost 70 co-curricular activities In addition, we have consistently achieved outstanding results at GCSE and A level Our belief is, “Music for All” and that is why my colleagues and I work tirelessly to stretch our musically talented students, as well as seeking opportunities for beginners and aspiring musicians to access Music.
“Our Music Department is not only the heartbeat of BSAK, with music ever present throughout the school on a daily basis, but a thriving hive of activity, friendship and community”
Mrs Helen Kerr Director of Music
29th August 2024
7th-11th October 2024
29th October 2024
30th-31st October 2024
14th - 16th October 2024 (inc)
2nd - 3rd December 2024 (inc)
13th December 2024
20th-24th January 2025
26th-30th January 2025
21st March 2025
Monday 7th April 2025
*Thursday - Friday 5th - 6th June 2025
Friday 27th June 2025
Music Presentation for Parents
Musical Festival Week
Al Khubairat Choral Society
Abu Dhabi Youth Orchestra & Choir Auditions
Half Term
Commemoration Day and National Day Holiday
Last day of Term 1
YMOG Festival Week
Young Musicians of the Gulf - Hosted by BSAK
Last Day of Term 2
Term commences for all students
Eid Al Adha*
Last Day of Term 3
* Provisional. Exact dates of Islamic Holidays and are subject to the moon-sighting Schools must wait for public announcements for these and any National Holidays
Helen Kerr Director of Music hkerr@britishschool sch ae
Gerard Fee Head of Primary Music gfee@britishschool.sch.ae
Sascha Dallas Head of Secondary Music sdallas@britishschool sch ae
Bethany Lowe Primary Music Teacher (Temp) belowe@britishschool.sch.ae
Janelle Bernardo Drums & Percussion Teacher jbernardo@britishschool sch ae
Claire Day Head of Woodwind cday@britishschool ach ae
Alison Bryce Head of Brass abryce@britishschool sch ae
Kalana De Silva Head of Guitar kdesilva@britishschool sch ae
Roger Norkie Head of Strings rnorkie@britishschool.ach.ae
Ana Kovacevic Head of Singing akovacevic@britishschool sch ae
Alex Tchobanov Head of Piano atchobanov@britishschool.ach.ae
Danica Duric Vocals - Rock n Pop dduric@britishschool sch ae
Milan Jankovic Lower Strings and Double Bass mjankovic@britishschool.sch.ae
Ramzi Hakim Piano rhakim@britishschool sch ae
Stephen Kerr Woodwind skerr@britishschool.sch.ae
Dennis Lopez Guitar - Electric dlopez@britishschool.sch.ae
Sonja Stojiljkovic Upper Strings sstojilijkovic@britishschool.ach.ae
Tamara Tepavcevic Piano ttepavcevic@britishschool.ach.ae
Last year, we introduced the “Wider Opportunities” program for primary students, giving them the chance to learn various orchestra instruments.
Each year group can experience playing an instrument for one term annually, lead by our specialist instrumentalist teachers
This allows students the opportunity to enrol in instrumental lessons if they express an interest in expanding their musical skills.
In EYFS classes, students explore percussion instruments found in the classroom and they engage in fun songs and activities to help develop a sense of timing, coordination and explore their vocal range. Students have the opportunity to showcase what they are learning in many of their events throughout the year
In Year 1, students learn about rhythm and explore basic rhythmic patterns. Students will learn the difference between low and high pitch in various sounds of music Through singing songs, they will explore musical patterns and develop a foundation for musical timing. They have the chance to further develop coordination and playing learnt patterns on pitched percussion.
In Year 2, students begin learning the basics of violin playing, including proper posture and plucking technique. Students will also have the opportunity to develop their rhythmic understanding through bucket drumming
In Year 3, students begin learning to play the recorder, starting with basic notes and fingering. Through guided instruction and regular practice, students develop their ability to read music and play tunes confidently Students also begin exploring pulse, rhythm and ostinato through playing various classroom percussion instruments.
Year 4 students are introduced to playing the pBone and pTrumpet, learning the essential techniques. Students practise melodies and ensemble pieces to enhance their experience Students are introduced to the ukulele, finger picking and chord strumming throughout the year
Students in Year 5 delve into learning the basics of playing the dood; a woodwind instrument, similar to a clarinet. Students focus on proper finger placement to produce clear tones. They will also explore how music and art are closely linked and inspire one another through composing music for a set picture
In Year 6, students learn to play the keyboard, focusing on hand positioning and musical notation They practise playing various melodies and accompanying rhythms to develop their keyboard skills. Students will also experience the musical culture from West Africa and learn how to play simple poly rhythms on the Djembe drums.
In the secondary music curriculum, students deepen their understanding and appreciation of music through a diverse range of topics and practical experiences.
Students have the opportunity to showcase their talents and collaborate with their peers allowing them to express themselves confidently and passionately through music.
In Year 7, students have the opportunity to explore Rhythm, Pulse and Beat Students learn how to read rhythmic notation, one they perform from a notated score and write on their own 4 part rhythm scores
Students have the chance to experience Chair Drumming and Samba Drumming, albeit noisy, these are definitely highlights of the year!
Click HERE to hear some of our year 7 students performing their Samba assessments.
Year 8 students enjoy working at the keyboards and composing their own pop songs as part of our Battle of the Bands topic.
Students have the opportunity to look closely at the structure of a pop song and work together in groups to compose both a verse and a chorus.
Their final performances included a bassline, chords, a melody and a drum accompaniment. Click HERE to listen to one of our pop songs
Year 9 students have the opportunity to make their selections for GCSE’s, with Music being an option.
So why is Music an excellent choice?
A knowledge and understanding of music can enhance the quality of life, regardless of one ’ s career. Universities hold musicians in high regard as they offer a diverse and valuable skill set that enriches university life
Music is highly academic, entailing various scholarly elements such as historical studies, comparative essays, analytical skills, and composition techniques.
Music engenders the qualities of maturity, selfdiscipline, analytical thinking and sensitivity – all sought after in many walks of life.
GCSE Music is a fun and exciting course which develops performing, composing, listening and appraising skills We follow the Edexcel syllabus and the course comprises 60% coursework and 40% exam
PERFORMANCE 30%
COMPOSITION 30%
LISTENING & APPRAISING 40%
Skills Required
Proficiency on a musical instrument or voice around Grade 3 at the start of the course, is expected. Students should be able to read staff notation and follow a musical score for analysis purposes.
Click HERE to see the GCSE Music specification
We follow the AQA syllabus and the course comprises of 60% coursework and 40% listening exam.
LISTENING & APPRAISING 40%
PERFORMANCE 35%
COMPOSITION 25%
Click HERE to see the A LEVEL Music specification
In the Primary production of Shrek!, an ambitious team of directors came together to bring the story of Shrek! The Musical Jr to life.
The production was a resounding success that surpassed all expectations Audiences of all ages fell in love with the endearing characters, witty humour and timeless message of inner beauty and inner beauty.
Throughout the production process, the team’s dedication to storytelling excellence and attention to detail ensured every frame of Shrek was filled with magic and charm.
Oliver! was truly a spectacular show performed last academic year. Students were lucky enough to perform to sell out audiences for five shows, which is a true testament to all the hard work they put in The standard of both singing and acting was incredibly high At times you might forget you were watching a school production and think it was a West End performance!
The amazing pit orchestra was entirely made up of students, who performed from the original orchestration They were expertly accompanied by our own instrumental teacher; Mrs Tepavcevic on the piano.
At BSAK, we offer a variety of co curricular and enrichment clubs for the music programs providing students with opportunities to further explore their musical interests and talents.
These clubs range from choirs, instrumental ensembles, and music production clubs
Participation in these clubs allow students to deepen their understanding of music theory, aural skills, develop their technical skills, and cultivate a passion for music that extends beyond the academic curriculum
These clubs provide a platform for students to collaborate with peers who share similar musical interests, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie
Through rehearsals, performances, and workshops, students are able to enhance their teamwork and communication skills while gaining confidence in their musical abilities.
Participation in these clubs enables students to perform diverse genres of music, make friendships, discover new talents, and potentially spark a lifelong passion for music to enrich their personal and academic lives.
Information regarding how to sign up and the timeline involved, including the application and individual invite process will be shared with you via the Parent Portal.
BSAK offers a diverse range of music clubs to cater to students' various interests and talents in the realm of music Some of the common types of music clubs include:
Choir groups provide students with the opportunity to come together and perform vocal music as a collective ensemble These groups focus on harmonising, vocal technique, and repertoire ranging from classical to contemporary music. They also develop technique, consistency and vocal health.
Instrumental ensembles allow students to showcase their musical abilities by playing instruments in a group setting. These ensembles include orchestras, concert bands, jazz bands, string quartets, or percussion ensembles, providing students with the chance to explore different musical genres and styles
Music theory and aural classes focus on enhancing students' understanding of music theory concepts, such as notation, scales, chords, and harmony These workshops help students deepen their knowledge of music fundamentals and improve their musical proficiency.
Each type of music club provides a unique opportunity for students to engage with music in different ways, whether through performance, composition, technical production, or scholarly exploration
BSAK provides an outstanding instrumental Music program led by 14 full-time professional musicians, offering customised tuition to over 550 students available from Year 2 onwards
Situated in the Phase 4 Building on the 2nd Floor the Music Department is among the few schools in the UAE with in-house instrumental Music teachers.
New students receive a complimentary trial session for their first lesson, with subsequent tuition costs and instrument hire discussed in a contract if they decide to continue
Students typically have one 30-minute instrumental lesson per week during the school day, rotating to minimise disruption to curriculum learning.
Woodwind: Flute, Piccolo, Alto Flute, Bass Flute, Recorder, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon
• Brass: Trumpet, Cornet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Baritone, Tuba, Eb Horn
• Strings: Cello, Double Bass, Violin and Viola
• Guitar: Classical, Acoustic Guitar, Plectrum Steel, Electric, Bass
• Singing: Classical, Music Theatre and Rock and Pop
• Keyboard: Piano
• Drums and Percussion: Drum Kit, Orchestral Percussion
• Students in Years 2 – 4 will be collected by their instrumental teacher for all lessons.
• Students in Year 5 – 6 will be collected for their first lesson only, but will be encouraged to be independent in attending their lessons after this
• Students in Year 7 – 13 will make their way independently to lessons.
• As we schedule weekly lessons to over 550 students, we fairly rotate lessons to ensure minimal impact on curriculum coverage.
• Lessons will be accessible on the Parent Portal the week before, and a reminder email will be sent out on Friday’s to ensure parents and students are informed.
*Please note - Every attempt is made to ensure that there are no clashes with school calendar events,
Any clash requests should not be made out of school hours or weekends, as they will not be addressed in time
SEPTEMBER 2024-2025 (VAT INCLUDED)
• Instrumental invoices will be sent from our accounts team by email upon agreeing and signing the contract
• Invoices need to be paid before the end of the term, and lessons will not commence the next term if outstanding dues are not paid.
• Any lessons not able to be delivered due to a school event, teacher absence or holiday will either be given at another convenient time or reimbursed.
*Please note- If the lesson is missed due to students not attending, the lesson will be counted as received, as the teacher is ready and available to give the lesson..
to instrument suitability and availability)
• Instrumental Hire Fee – 285.00 AED per term.
• A Piano Service Fee of 55.00 AED per term for piano lessons is charged to help offset the cost of piano tuning and maintenance in the department.
• Guitars and Keyboards are not available for rental
We expect students to come to lessons prepared; with instruments and music books, engage with enthusiasm and practise consistently.
SUPPORT
We encourage parents to support their child’s musical journey with promoting regular practise, actively listening to them play, and ensuring attendance for rehearsals and concerts.
We expect students to prioritise regular attendance to optimise learning and to support with progress and progression.
We also offer Music Theory and Aural lessons free of charge to ensure that your child is well equipped to access the exam boards they are following.
We currently deliver ABRSM, Trinity, and Trinity Rock and Pop examination syllabi
If the school is closed due to inclement weather, our instrumental teachers have adapted their teaching with customised lesson plans to accommodate these requests.
Upon signing the contract, you can select the option to opt in or out of this opportunity.
Minimum Notice Period - Half-term notice is required for all cancellations
Fees Applied- Lack of notice or late notice will incur a half-term; (5 lessons), being applied.
Instrument Return Policy - Loaned instruments require to be promptly returned on the last day of lessons to avoid additional fees.
If you are interested in having your child start or continue their musical journey with instrumental lessons, please complete the form found on the Parent Portal; INTEREST FORM located under under the Music tab.
By completing this form it allows us to date and time stamp all requests
If the interested instrument spaces are currently full, please note your name will automatically be placed on our waiting list and we will contact you as lesson spots become available.
Fixed lessons are only available for GCSE and A-Level students due to thier heavy core subject study and workloads
Please note - all instrumental lessons are fairly rotated weekly to minimise disruption to curriculum learning for all other students
Music provides a platform for celebration; allowing students to express themselves through melody and rhythm whilst learning an instrument.
ENGAGEMENT
Music fosters active participation, stimulating the body and mind with nurturing a sense of mindfulness and focus
Playing, listening to, and creating music contributes to an overall well-being; promoting emotional, mental and physical health
RELATIONSHIPS
Music strengthens social bonds and creates connections through performances and shared musical experiences.
RESILIENCE
Students develop resilience through the challenges of learning and mastering music. It provides a foundation for facing and overcoming obstacles in other areas of life.
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Devoting a daily routine for practising will help your child to develop their skills. Short periods of practice weekly are more effective than one big practice session on the weekend Little and often is key!
2 ACTIVE LISTENING
Observe your child’s progress by asking questions and showing genuine interest You may not have the expertise to provide technical advice, however your role is crucial in supporting and offering encouragement.
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4 5 6
Ensuring your child is prepared to come to each lesson with their instrument, music book or sheet music and practice diary will help maximise their learning experience.
REGULAR ATTENDANCE
Consistent participation in lessons, rehearsals, and concerts is essential for your child’s development of new skills and knowledge This also contributes to their commitment and discipline throughout their musical journey.
CONCERT ETIQUETTE
It is important for your child to to stay until the end of rehearsals and concerts. This encourages your child to reciprocate support to their peers and foster positive relationships.
INSTRUMENT TIPS
Taking care of their instrument is crucial for performance Our teachers are available to assist you with tuning or cleaning instructions. Email for availability.
Throughout the year we will keep you up to date regarding your child’s progress and events at the School. You will receive communication via email, the BSAK Parent Portal, newsletters, the School calendar and our social media channels.
Available form from your Phone, Tablet or Desktop:
School Emails: delivered to you and collated forever in the portal
Co-Curricular and Enrichment Activities: information about clubs can be found in your calendar, which you can also sync to your personal calendar
Instrumental Lesson Timetables: information about weekly day and times can be found in your calendar, which you can also sync to your personal calendar.
Forms: Permission slips, Parents’ Evening appointments and club sign-ups are all in one place
School Events: search the School calendar and never miss what is going on
Follow @BSAKMusic on X to stay connected with daily events.
Follow us on our official BSAK Facebook and Instagram pages to keep up to date with events, information and celebrations at BSAK.
You can also consider joining our @BSAKParentCommunity to connect with other BSAK parents in support of school events.
