Opportunities for Musicians and Singers

Throughout the year, there are many opportunities for pupils to perform: platforms available include instrumental and choral concerts, informal concerts, operatic productions, and in the weekly singing of the Chapel Choir.

Singing plays a major part in the department's work, and, in particular, the role of the Chapel Choir forms a focus for vocal activities. The choir performs on most Sundays throughout the year and makes regular visits to cathedrals and local churches. Recent tours have included visits to Prague and Vienna, and annually the choir sings at the Bridewell Service held in St. Bride's Church, Fleet Street, at St. Lawrence Jewry next to the Guildhall and at St. Paul's Cathedral. Membership has, and continues to include ex-choristers from a number of major cathedral choirs.

Facilities
The School is fortunate in the large number of areas available for concerts and public performances. These include the Charter Hall, which has a stage for operatic productions and tiered seating for concerts, with a two manual Wyvern electronic organ and a nine-foot Bechstein Concert Grand and 7’6” Yamaha C3 Grand Piano, the Recital Room which is suitable for chamber concerts, the Chapel, which contains a Father Willis three-manual organ, and the Selborne Room, a spacious 250 seater hall.

The Music School consists of twelve practice and teaching rooms, two classrooms, a small concert hall and the Director's and Assistant Director's studies. There is a large library of music, scores, CDs and reference books, and multimedia computing and video facilities. There are also collections of electronic and traditional instruments. There are excellent pianos in all practice and teaching rooms, some containing grands, while there is an extensive stock of instruments, drum kits and orchestral percussion for hire.

Instrumental Tuition
Tuition is available on all instruments and singing, from highly qualified visiting professional musicians. In Forms One to Three, lessons rotate within the academic timetable, while in the GCSE and Sixth Form years the lessons are usually timetabled to fit into the pupil's free periods or non-academic part of the day. There are 30 x 35 minute lessons in each year (not necessarily 10 per term) which are charged termly.

Free tuition for Beginners: A course of ten free lessons is normally available (subject to availability) for beginners; priority will be given to pupils who wish to receive string or brass tuition, and to pupils who can read music to some degree. Free tuition does not extend to piano or guitar, except in cases where a pupil is in receipt of a music bursary or award.

Music Scholars and Exhibitioners (for details see below) receive free tuition on one or more instruments.

Associated Examination Boards: These are held at the School in November, March and May. Extra tuition in theory or aural is available throughout the year, and the School is the local centre for Theory Examinations.

Participation in Ensembles and Choirs: Pupils who learn instruments or sing will be expected to participate in any ensembles to which they are allocated and the department endeavours to create opportunities that will develop every pupil's abilities to the full.

Musical Scholarships and Bursaries: Details of Music Scholarships and Exhibitions can be obtained from the Admissions Office. These are awarded at First, Third and Sixth Form level. Some Bursaries for free tuition are awarded on the basis of need, and applications should be sent to the Bursaries Officer.