Music
Music plays a significant part in the life of the School. There is a full time staff of six musicians together with eighteen visiting instrumental and vocal teachers, working in a brand new purpose -built music school comprising ten practice rooms, an ensemble room, recital room, percussion, rock and recording studios, two class teaching rooms and a keyboard laboratory, together with teaching rooms for full-time members of staff.
Many pupils are involved from all sections of the school. There are three orchestras, jazz groups, and various wind, brass and string ensembles There is a busy termly concert schedule ranging from large-scale ensemble concerts to individual pupil recitals.
There are four choirs throughout the school, including the Chapel Choir, which sings on most Sunday evenings in term time. Forthcoming events include singing Evensong in Worcester Cathedral and a tour to Paris in February 2012. The Choral Society is open to all pupils and performs two major concerts a year . Recent performances have included Karl Jenkins’ ‘Mass for Peace’ and Haydn’s ‘Nelson Mass’.
All pupils have Music every week as part of their curriculum until year 8.. Thereafter, Music may be taken in year 9 and at GCSE and Advanced Level as an option subject.
Individual tuition on almost any instrument and in singing can be arranged. Over 350 pupils receive such tuition and every effort is made to arrange lessons so that they do not conflict with the academic programme. There is a long-standing tradition of pupils winning Choral and Organ Scholarships to Oxford and Cambridge, and Foundation Awards at the major Music Colleges.