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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:

  • Junior Jazz Band
  • Senior Jazz Band
  • String Quartet
  • Cathedral Brass
  • Saxophone Ensemble
  • Guitar Ensemble
  • Baroque Group
  • Überbeat  is a percussion group who perform on both tuned and untuned instruments. It is open to all, but particularly aimed at drummers, percussionists, and pianists who are looking for opportunities to play in a group setting.
  • Gateway Orchestra is the school's most senior orchestra for advanced musicians. They perform a variety of repertoire at all major school events.
  • Sinfonia is our orchestra for developing musicians. Players are able to build confidence and gain skills in large ensemble playing. They perform at a variety of in and out of school events, and often collaborate with other schools in the local area.
  • 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...

Jazz Night 2026

Choral Society Concert 2026

Unplugged 2026

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Carol Concert 2025

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

Jazz Night 2026

Choral Society Concert 2026

Music News

By Eleanor Lewis May 6, 2026
On Saturday 9 May, Norwich School choir members will be performing at St Nicholas Chapel with Music in the Burnhams. This concert is a celebration of Sir Karl Jenkins - one of the most performed choral composers in the world. He has composed music for The King, Bryn Terfel, Dame Evelyn Glennie and London Symphony Orchestra. His Mass 'The Armed Man' has topped Classic FM's Hall of Fame again this year and his albums have sold in the millions. He is signed to Decca Records and in 2024 Decca bestowed upon him the unprecedented distinction of a Lifetime deal, the first time the label has made such a commitment to any artist. He was awarded a Knighthood for services to music in the Queen's birthday honours. The concert will feature lots of his most famous works including the Cantata Memoria which Norwich Lower School Chamber Choir and Norwich School Junior Choir are involved with. We are the only school that have been asked to do this which is a huge honour. Sir Karl Jenkins himself will be in the audience for this very special concert featuring members of the Kings Lynn Festival Chorus and the British Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. The opportunity to perform his work is a great privilege given his standing within the classical genre and to have him at the concert in person is a huge deal. Click here to book now!
By Eleanor Lewis April 23, 2026
On Thursday 23 April, we were delighted to welcome back musical director Francis Goodhand to Norwich School for the second of his two musical theatre workshops for Music Award holders, as part of the Making Musicians programme. Evie A (M5) writes: “The workshop with Francis Goodhand was an amazing experience. He was incredibly kind and encouraging to every pupil, whether they were performing or watching from the audience. Each of us sang a musical theatre piece, after which Francis offered helpful advice on how to strengthen our acting through song before we performed it again. I really enjoyed watching the other pupils and seeing how Francis helped take their performances to the next level. I also greatly appreciated the feedback and practical tips he gave me to improve my own performance. Thank you so much to Mrs Speca for providing this opportunity.” Francis Goodhand commented: “I was so impressed with everyone’s preparation, as well as their singing, their ability to act through song, and their willingness to try new things.” Our thanks go to Francis for such an inspiring and enjoyable afternoon, to Simon Kenworthy Robbins for his sensitive accompaniment, and to all the pupils who took part so wholeheartedly and with such confidence. You can listen to their vocal warm up below (that they learnt in only 5 minutes).
By Eleanor Lewis April 13, 2026
"Music has always had the power to bring people together, to comfort, and to inspire action. This project is Dave’s way of doing exactly that — using his extraordinary talent to create something positive, meaningful, and potentially life-saving." Accomplished musician, Dave Land, has completed a new project of a brass performance of ‘O MAGNUM MYSTERIUM’ - Morten Lauridsen, in aid of Prostate Cancer UK, a cause very close to him. Having taught Trumpet and Cornet at Norwich School for over twenty years, this performance was filmed in Norwich School's atmospheric Barborelli Room. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men with more than 64,000 men being diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. Early detection can make a huge difference, PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test is quick, straightforward. With this poignant piece and sharing his story, Dave Land hopes to encourage more men to have that conversation with their doctor and consider getting tested, it could potentially save lives. Acclaimed British musician and composer Jools Holland commented, "I'd like to congratulate and support Dave in the excellent job he's doing to promote awareness of prostate cancer and to encourage men to get checked with a simple test." Dave is one of those musicians whose career reads like a highlight reel of the music world. He began playing trumpet in the Band of HM Coldstream Guards before moving into an extraordinary freelance career. Over the years, he has performed in some of the greatest West End shows, including Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express, Annie Get Your Gun, and Movin’ Out, and has recorded with artists such as Katrina and the Waves, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, and Shirley Bassey. His playing can also be heard on numerous film soundtracks, including Walt Disney’s Herbie Fully Loaded, Mr Bean, Look Who’s Talking, and, more recently, Paddington in Peru. Beyond that, his recordings have featured across a wide range of television programmes, films, documentaries, and adverts — from Jamie Oliver and A Place in the Sun to countless campaigns for brands such as Tropicana, Halifax, Shredded Wheat, MG Cars and Budweiser. Over the years, he has also enjoyed chart success with artists including Nik Kershaw, Leo Sayer, Breathe, Tracey Ullman, and, of course, Katrina & the Waves. Dave has spent over 25 years working in London’s West End and has toured worldwide with an incredible list of artists, including The Four Tops, the original Elvis Presley TCB Band, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Shirley Bassey, Ben E. King, The Supremes, Suzi Quatro, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Deniece Williams, Belinda Carlisle and Mari Wilson & The New Wilsations. His experience and musicianship are truly remarkable Dave Land is a dedicated teacher and valued member of our community, having previously performed two brass videos in the chapel. 'Pupils and Staff of Norwich School perform Charpentier's Prelude to the Te Deum' which you can watch by clicking here. This video has had a staggering 226 thousand views – a first for Norwich school video views! Ladies in Lavender by Nigel Hess arranged & directed by David Land, Norwich School Brass Ensemble plus guests, pupils from local Norfolk schools . You can watch this by clicking here. Dave Land commented, "I am incredibly proud of our Norwich school brass students for these two outstanding video performances!" Dave's mission has received a lot of traction from the BBC in both writing and broadcast. With the more people he reaches, the more people who may be encouraged to get tested. You can watch Dave Land's powerful performance below;
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