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Music

Music forms a fundamental part of Norwich School life and 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.


Performance highlights each 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 Night at Epic Studios (March), Royal Norfolk Show (June), Deveson Music Prize (June), Gala Night (July) and the Choral Vigil (July).

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, G-force, and Junior Choir.

Instrumental Music

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

  • Gateway Players (Senior Orchestra)
  • Sinfonia (Intermediate Orchestra)
  • Junior Concert Band
  • Senior Jazz Band
  • Saxology
  • Überbeat (Percussion Ensemble)
  • Junior & Senior Guitar Groups
  • Various rock groups and pupil-lead bands.
  • 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. 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.

Making Musicans

Making Musicians aims to develop the very best musical talent at Norwich school and beyond. Singers, instrumentalists and composers from both within the School and the wider community participate in an annual series of workshops, lectures, visits, masterclasses and recitals designed to nurture young musicians.

Visit the Making Musicians page

Past Performances, Recitals and Concerts...

Gala Night 2024

Little Shop of Horrors

Annie

Jazz Night 2024

Guys and Dolls

Gala Night 2023

Jazz Night 2023

Wizard of OZ

Choral Society 2024

The Dyers' Concert 2023

Gala Night 2024

Little Shop of Horrors

Music News

Great Norfolk Ice Cream Challenge

By Eleanor Lewis • June 26, 2025
This year at the Norfolk Show we hosted t he Great Norfolk Ice Cream Challenge on our Norwich School Stand for the 2 nd year running – it was a huge success and great fun - it was fabulous to be able to help raise important fund for the Build Charity, with the help of Nelsonspirit and Ronaldos. It was also impressive to receive feedback after the event, especially for Tom Conrad who was the project manager for the day, and brilliantly led the project.

Onyx Brass Delivers a Masterclass to Young Musicians

By Eleanor Lewis • June 24, 2025
On 24 June, Onyx Brass visited Norwich School. Pupils from both the Lower and Senior School as well as Town Close enjoyed a workshop with Brass players, in order to develop their skills. The workshop was well catered to all participants of all abilities and a great time was had by all involved. At the end of the workshop, the pupils treated an audience to their performance in the Chapel. Following this, Onyx Brass then led a masterclass for a group of senior school pupils; L5 pupil, Jacey Ng, tells us about her experience below. "Playing with Onyx Brass was an amazing experience. I really enjoyed hearing them perform, and it was exciting to play music with and for such a professional group. I felt very lucky to take part in a masterclass with them, where I learnt so many important things, especially about expression. They were so friendly and encouraging, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. Their visit has really inspired me to keep improving." - Jacey Ng

Young Musicians to Perform at the Five Churches Festival

By Eleanor Lewis • June 20, 2025
On 10 July, there will be a very special Making Musicians concert in the Cley Church as part of the Five Churches Festival in North Norfolk. This concert will feature the Norfolk Young Musician 2025, Tristan McCardel (ON), and Norwich School music scholar, Benjamin Griffiths. Tristan will perform avel’s virtuoso masterpiece Tzigane and the beautiful Romance no.2 by Beethoven. Benjamin will then be performing the haunting song-cycle by Butterworth, A Shropshire Lad, alongside hits from the world of musical theatre. Additionally, L5 Music Scholar, Isaac Schaad, will be performing in the Festival's Finale on Sunday 13 July. Isaac's composition Divertimento for Strings will be performed by the Chaos Collective Strings Ensemble under the direction of Stephen Threlfall in the Festival Finale. Isaac will also perform in the ensemble himself. To find out more click here!
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