Music

Extra-curricular Music

With over 20 different music ensembles rehearsing every week, there’s something to suit everyone! Pupils can choose from a range of choirs, bands, orchestras and chamber ensembles designed to nurture musical performance at all levels. Most ensembles do not require an audition.

Highlights of the year include the House Music Festival (September), Senior Musical at Norwich Playhouse (November), Senior School Carol Service at Norwich Cathedral (December), Unplugged at Norwich Playhouse (February), Choral & Orchestral Concert at St. Andrews (March), Jazz Nite at Epic Studios (March), Royal Norfolk Show (June), Deveson Music Prize (June), Gala Night (July) and the Choral Vigil (July).

ABRSM and Trinity Music Exams are held here, with entries welcome from pupils learning both in and out of school. Theory tuition is also available. 

 

Making Musicians

Norwich School runs Making Musicians, a developmental arts enrichment programme for exceptional musical talent. Singers and instrumentalists (both from within the school and the wider community) participate in an annual series of workshops, lectures, visits, masterclasses and recitals designed specifically to nurture young performers and composers. 

 

Choral Music

Singing is at the heart of school life and features in daily cathedral assemblies, concerts, musicals and services throughout the year. Our choirs have earned a reputation for excellence and some pupils are members of the National Youth Choirs.

With 60 regular members, Chapel Choir sings for school services as well as Evensong at a Cambridge college each year. It performs a broad range of repertoire including Tallis, Mozart, Brahms, Arvo Pärt and Coldplay!

The Chapel Choir is complemented by many other vocal ensembles, including Choral Society, a Barbershop Group, GForce, and Junior Choir.

Each year, pupils join with the Adult Choral Society and the internationally renowned London Mozart Players for the spring concert in St. Andrew’s. Repertoire is drawn from the major works from the last four centuries. Recent concerts have included Haydn Masses, Handel’s Messiah and settings of the requiems of Fauré, Mozart and Rutter.

 

Instrumental Music

The Music Department also offers a wide range of instrumental ensembles that play on a weekly basis. Pupils are encouraged to join an ensemble as soon as they are able to play even a few notes, as we have groups that cater for all abilities. Below is a selection of the current groups:

Senior School

  • Sinfonia (Intermediate Orchestra)
  • Gateway Players (Senior Orchestra)
  • Intermediate Concert Band
  • Senior Concert Band
  • Junior Concert Band
  • Senior Jazz Band
  • Saxology
  • Quartz
  • Überbeat (Percussion Ensemble)
  • Junior Guitar Group
  • Senior Guitar Group
  • Rock Group
  • Various chamber ensembles

 

Individual Music Lessons

More than 30 music teachers visit the school, many of whom play an active part in the musical life of the city and county.

Specialist instrumental tuition is available in violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, French horn, cornet, trumpet, trombone, tuba, euphonium, guitar, voice, recorder, orchestral and kit percussion, bagpipes, piano and organ. Other instruments are available, subject to demand. 

Incoming pupils are invited to an Open Evening before the start of the school year when they are given the opportunity for a ‘hands on’ experience on the instruments offered. We encourage regular contact between parents and teachers.

ABRSM Music Exams are held at the school each term, with entries welcome from pupils learning both in and out of school. Theory tuition is also available, with a weekly theory club running for pupils. Private theory tuition can also be arranged.