Music For All: Supporting Academic Excellence

An immersive experience

Our inclusive music curriculum is designed to unlock the musical potential in every student. We believe everyone is a musician in the making, whether they’ve played an instrument for years or are complete beginners, we approach music learning through full immersion—engaging every learner from the very first note.

Dedicated Primary music

Based in the centre of Primary School action, Raphaela Papadakis is our EYFS and Primary Music Specialist. The Primary Music Room is a versatile space where every class from Foundation 1 to Year 6 enjoys an hours’ dedicated Music class every week.

Ms Papadakis ensures that her students learn about four aspects of music education – listening, singing, performing, and composing.

“To introduce composition, for example, we might begin with the students saying their name with its natural rhythm, then changing it and playing with it. This is simple composition. Then they can add notes and create a tune!”

She also teaches the technique of ‘Audiation’ - hearing and understand music when sound is not physically present. It is the musical equivalent of thinking in language. First the students learn rhythms verbally, speaking them aloud, and then they imagine the same rhythm in their head. This internalisation is audiation, and it helps students to absorb the rhythm and tune, making it much easier to then repeat on an instrument.

Music is also embedded in the wider Primary curriculum with students learning songs to help with language learning and to explore and learn about diverse cultures, including performances at special events such as Francophone Week. We also have a Lower and an Upper Primary Choir, which meet and rehearse at lunchtimes and regularly perform at assemblies and events. 

Juilliard Collaboration

Rooted in strong collaboration with the Juilliard School, La Côte International School’s music programme gives students of all ages and abilities access to masterworks by composers such as Bach, Schubert, and Ligeti, alongside jazz legends and contemporary artists. From composing film scores using the latest music technology to exploring styles as varied as musical theatre, pop, samba, and more, our curriculum is as broad as it is deep. With exposure to such breadth of musical genres, everyone has the chance to find their musical passion.

Through this personalised approach, finding what inspires our students and working from there, they grow not just as musicians, but as curious, creative, and confident young people. 

A broad perspective

A core part of our approach is whole-class piano instruction, where students deepen their instrumental skills, develop coordination, and explore the building blocks of harmony. This foundational work strengthens students’ musical fluency and enriches their understanding of composition and performance across different styles. 

We also explore other facets of music and the music industry, such as writing music for film, exploring soundscapes, and engaging in Juilliard-led projects and competitions. Trips to cultural landmarks like Chaplin’s World in Vevey help connect learning to the world beyond the classroom. Our music curriculum embraces the growing body of scientific evidence showing how music enhances brain development—supporting memory, spatial reasoning, language skills, and emotional intelligence. In every sense, music at LCIS is a powerful tool for lifelong growth.

Performance for all

Beyond the classroom, the magic of music truly comes alive. Our bi-annual ‘Sessions’ concerts give both Primary and Secondary students the opportunity to perform, whatever their level. In a supportive and encouraging environment all students from beginners to accomplished performers, solos, duos and groups, are welcomed onto the stage. These performances are celebrations of passion, talent, and hard-earned craft. Taking part in our Sessions concerts promotes confidence, fuels ambition and offers our students a glimpse into the exhilarating world of live performance. The standard is exceptional, the atmosphere electric, and the sense of community unforgettable. 

Another annual highlight is the school musical, where Secondary students and teachers form a professional-standard live band to accompany the cast onstage. They rehearse and perform full scores with precision and flair, mastering real-world skills like sight-reading, ensemble balance, and developing the discipline of a real-life session musician. The experience is intense, inspiring, and life-changing—the kind of moment that builds not just musicians, but artists. 

Finding the individual

With a wide range of co-curricular clubs—choirs, A Capella groups, Band Projects, samba ensembles, and more—the LCIS music department buzzes with energy and creativity. It’s about more than developing musical skill; it’s about helping students find their voice and express who they truly are as individuals.