Music is an important activity at the College. In addition to music as part of the academic curriculum, individual instrumental tuition is available on 18 instruments including piano, singing, all traditional orchestral instruments, bagpipes, guitar and percussion.

Extra-curricular music involves ensembles of all sizes and provides plenty of opportunities for pupils to play in a group. Ensembles include three choirs, a Concert Band, Swing Band, Orchestra, String Group, Jazz Band, Saxophone Groups, String Quartets and Flute Group.

The Chapel Choir sings Choral Evensong at a cathedral each year and has an annual tour abroad visiting destinations such as Slovenia, Krakow, Venice, Prague, Toronto and New York. Lunchtime concerts take place several times a term and include a buffet lunch for all performers and guests before the concert begins. These concerts provide opportunities for pupils to perform in an informal setting while our Michaelmas and Summer Concerts showcase our large ensembles and soloists, often in venues such as the Reading Town Hall and St John’s Smith Square, London. Workshops involving both musicians and non-musicians have included visits from film composers and performers from the popular show STOMP. The department is also working with the London Chamber Orchestra on a series of workshops and performing projects. Music often plays a part in Drama productions and the departments work together each year to produce a musical. The Music Department fulfils an important role in the College as a whole, giving musicians and non-musicians alike opportunities to explore a wide range of music.