Music Events
Michaelmas
Term 2024
Welcome to Music, Michaelmas Term 2024
The Michaelmas Term perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Music at Clifton; exams are far-off and our pupils throw themselves into events which range from small scale recitals to full-scale productions and concerts.
There are many events which are not to be missed including the Visiting Music Teachers’ Concert, the annual Upper Musical (this year Made in Dagenham) and highly recommended are the large end of term concerts with full orchestra and other ensembles.
Not forgetting the glorious atmosphere of our choirs in the Chapel: from the Pre-Prep Nativities, and the Christmas Carol Services, to the specially candlelit Cross-College Advent Service spreading festive good cheer.
We hope to see you at an event soon!
James Drinkwater, Director of Music (Upper)
Julian Edgell, Director of Music (Prep)
Pip Gillam, Assistant Head (Pre-Prep), Head of Music (Pre-Prep)
Upper - Tuesday Arts Club: Advanced Performance Platform: Henry G
Tuesday 10 September - 6.00pm-7.00pm
Joseph Cooper Music School, Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET
A special solo recital from our Year 13 Joseph Cooper Music Scholar and pupil of Prof. Ani Schnarch (Royal College of Music) performing on violin, piano and voice.
Pre-Prep and Prep - Music Open Evening
Thursday 12 September - 4.00pm-6.00pm
Prep Music Department, Merry House, BS8 3HE
An opportunity for parents and pupils from Year 2 - Year 8 to meet a selection of our Visiting Music Teachers.
This is a chance for pupils to try out a variety of instruments to see if they would like to start learning.
Free to attend
Open to parents and guests, OCs, pupils and staff
Free to attend
Open to parents and guests, students and staff
Upper - Tuesday Arts Club: Visiting Music Teachers’ Concert
Tuesday 24 September - 6.00pm-7.00pm
Joseph Cooper Music School, Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET
We have many fantastic professional musicians teaching instruments and singing at Clifton - please come and hear them perform at the start of term in what promises to be a most enjoyable and varied evening of music!
Upper - Black History Month Open Mic Night
Thursday 3 October - 7.30pm-9.00pm
The Crypt, located underneath the Clifton College Chapel
To mark Black History Month, we look forward to an evening of students performing songs with links to African, AfricanAmerican, Black British and Afro-Caribbean links. In partnership with Clifton College’s EDIB Committee.
Free to attend
Open to parents and guests, pupils, staff, and OCs
Free to attend
Open to parents, pupils and staff
Prep - Informal Concert
Tuesday 15 October - 4.15pm-5.00pm
Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE
The first Informal Concert of the term! Pupils from Year 4 to Year 8 of varying ages and experiences perform to friends and familyexpect a wide variety of genres and instruments.
Pre-Prep - Informal Concert
Wednesday 16 October - 4.15pm-5.00pm
Pre-Prep Hall, Butcombe House, The Avenue, Clifton BS8 3EZ
Join us in the Pre-Prep Hall for just under an hour of wonderful music from our budding musicians in Year 2 and Year 3!
Free to attend
Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff
Free to attend
Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff
Upper - Advanced Performance Platform: Junior Music Scholars & Art Scholars Showcase
Friday 18 October - 5.30pm-7.00pm
Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
Our talented music scholars in years 9, 10 and 11 will perform as soloists and in small chamber ensembles in the wonderful setting of the Chapel.
There will also be an art display in the East Cloister with works provided by Junior Art Scholars.
Upper - House Part Song Competition
Tuesday 22 October - 5.15pm-6.15pm
Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
The annual House Song festival has two fiercely contested elements - first is the Part Song Competition where groups of talented singers from each house perform a cappella arrangements of songs of their choice.
Free to attend
Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff
Closed event
Open to staff and pupils only
Upper - House Unison Song Competition
Tuesday 22 October - 7.45pm-9.15pm
Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
Every student in the school takes to the stage to perform in the most exciting house competition of the year - it’s the event everyone is waiting for!
Pre-Prep - Harvest Celebration
Wednesday 23 October - 3.15pm-3.50pm
Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
An opportunity for our Pre-Prep community to join together in Chapel to sing and celebrate Harvest.
Closed event
Open to staff and pupils only
Free to attend
Open to families of the Pre-Prep
Pre-Prep -Informal Concert
Wednesday 13 November- 3.15pm-5.00pm
Pre-Prep Hall, Butcombe House, The Avenue, Clifton BS8 3EZ
Join us in the Pre-Prep Hall for just under an hour of wonderful music to encourage and celebrate our budding musicians in Year 2 and Year 3.
Upper - Annual Production: Made in Dagenham The Musical
Wednesday 13 to Friday 15 November - 7.30pm-9.45pm
Saturday 16 November - 7.00pm-9.15pm
The Redgrave Theatre, Percival Road, Bristol BS8 3LE
A dazzling full-scale production of the witty and empowering story of Made in Dagenham, reenacted through music and drama. The 1968 successful strike of the sewing machinists at the Ford Dagenham plant, where female workers walked out in protest, demanding and ultimately achieving equal pay. Featuring our most talented students, and backed by a live band!
Ticketed event
Free to attend
Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff
Open to pupils, staff and parents. Tickets should be reserved through the Redgrave Theatre box office where it will be listed as a private event: https://redgravetheatre.com/
Prep - Informal Concert
Tuesday 19 November - 4.15pm-5.00pm
Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE
Our second Informal Concert of the term. Pupils from Year 4 to Year 8 of varying ages and experiences perform to friends and family - expect a wide variety of genres and instruments.
Upper - Autumn Concert
Wednesday 20 November - 7.30pm-9.15pm
Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
The term’s major orchestral and ensemble concert will see our top groups performing a wide range of music.
Free to attend
Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff
Free to attend
Open to parents and guests, OCs, pupils and staff
Prep - House Song
Thursday 21 November - 2.00pm-3.30pm
Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE
The annual colourful occasion with each House performing a song of their choice, conducted by their HoM and backed by our in-house band.
Because of the limitations of space, we regret that the House Song competition is for pupils and staff only. A recording will be available shortly afterwards for parents to view.
Prep - Autumn Concert
Tuesday 26 November - 6.30pm-8.00pm
Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE
Come and see what our music groups have been working towards all term!
This is an opportunity for all our ensembles to perform a wide range of music - Strings, Brass, Guitar and Wind Ensembles as well as Orchestra, Swing Band, Junior Choir and Pop Groups.
Closed event
Open to pupils and staff only
Free to attend
Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff
Upper - Music in the Crypt
Thursday 28 November - 7.30pm-9.00pm
The Crypt, located underneath the Clifton College Chapel
A varied programme of Jazz and contemporary music in the relaxed setting of the Crypt. The College has a number of superb jazz and pop musicians on the staff and performances involving them and our talented students are always superb.
Prep and Upper - Advent Carol Service Followed by Upper House Art Competition
Friday 29 November - 6.30pm-7.30pm
Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
A beautiful service with choirs from across the College and which begins with the spreading of candlelight throughout the Chapel.
There will be traditional readings and carols both ancient and modern - please join us for this highlight of the year.
The Upper House Art Competition in the Tribe Building follows.
Free to attend
Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff
Free to attend
Open to parents and guests, OCs, pupils and staff
Pre-Prep and Prep - Eisteddfod
Saturday 30 November - 9.30am-4.00pm
Joseph Cooper Music School, Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET
Known as a celebration of music, the Eisteddfod is set in front of an audience and an external adjudicator.
Pupils of all ages and abilities from Year 2 to Year 8 are welcome to participate.
Prep - Rotary Club Concert
Wednesday 4 December - 6.00pm-9.00pm
Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE
The annual event where the Prep Choir and Swing Band put on an evening of festive musical entertainment for guests of the Rotary Club.
Free to attend
Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff
Closed event
Open to guests of the Rotary Club only
Pre-Prep - Reception Nativity
Thursday 5 December - 3.00pm-3.45pm
Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
Join us in Chapel for a joyous retelling of the Christmas story by our Reception classes, through words, songs and dance.
Pre-Prep - Year 1 Outdoor Nativity
Friday 6 December - 9.15am-10.00am Forest Garden
Travel to Bethlehem with Year 1 as they celebrate the birth of the Baby Jesus in the magical setting of the Nursery Forest Garden.
Free to attend
Open to our Reception parents
Free to attend
Open to our Year 1 parents
Upper - Spotlight Concert
Friday 6 December - 5.30pm-7.00pm
Joseph Cooper Music School, Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET
An opportunity for soloists and smaller chamber groups to perform - expect a wide variety of genres and instruments.
Upper - Christmas Carol Service
Sunday 8 December - 6.30pm-7.30pm
Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
The traditional annual service opens with a solo verse of Once in Royal David’s City, and then follows the traditional pattern of readings and carols.
Free to attend
Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff
Ticketed event
Please see communication from SLT and HoMs nearer the time
Pre-Prep - Year 2 and Year 3 Nativity
Thursday 10 December - 2.45pm-3.45pm
Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
Prepare for an entertaining retelling of the Christmas story through words, songs and dance by our Year 2 and Year 3 classes.
Pre-Prep - Preschool Nativity
Wednesday 11 December - 3.15pm-3.45pm
Preschool
Come and support Preschool, our youngest children in the school bring the Nativity story to life with songs and actions in our very own Bethlehem stable.
Free to attend
Open to all of our Pre-Prep families
Free to attend
Open to our Preschool parents
Upper - Christmas Concert
Wednesday 11 December - 6.30pm-7.20pm
Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
The last night of term sees a hugely enjoyable concert in Chapel - a fun mix of congregational sing-along and brilliant bursts from the College’s top musicians, with full orchestra. Around 50 minutes in length, followed by House Christmas Dinners!
Prep - Carol Service
Thursday 12 December - 4.00pm-5.00pm
Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
Our beautiful end of term Carol Service, complete with Candlelight Carol and candle carriers.
Free to attend
Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff
Free to attend
Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff
Upper School Thursday House Recitals
Our early morning recital series is a wonderful way to start the day! Come and hear 20 minutes of music from a talented Upper School musician - could be any age or instrument, but they are always most enjoyable.
• 26 September 8.20am - Alice H (OH) - horn and voice
• 3 October 8.20am - Francis A (MH) - oboe, cello, voice
• 10 October 8.20am - Edmund H, Arden W, Oli D-Y (NT) - cello, piano, drums, voice
• 28 November 8.20am - Max K, Oliver D (MH) - violin, voice, drums, guitar
• 5 December 8.20am - Mabel M, Emma B, Marie J (OH) - voice, trombone, violin
Location
Joseph Cooper Music School
Free to attend
Open to all parents, pupils and staff
Pre-Prep Fun Friday Sing
Every Friday of term time the Pre-Prep comes alive with the sound of music. All Pre-Prep families are welcome to come and sing together with Mrs Gillam in the Pre-Prep Hall.
• 6 September 8.00am - 8.25am
• 13 September 8.00am - 8.25am
• 20 September 8.00am - 8.25am
• 27 September 8.00am - 8.25am
• 11 October 8.00am - 8.25am
• 18 October 8.00am - 8.25am
• 8 November 8.00am - 8.25am
• 15 November 8.00am - 8.25am
• 22 November 8.00am - 8.25am
• 29 November 8.00am - 8.25am
• 6 December 8.00am - 8.25am
Location
Pre-Prep Hall
Free to attend
Open to all parents, pupils and staff
Music Scholarships 11+, 13+ and 16+
Clifton College has a strong musical tradition, and the study of music is an integral part of the curriculum.
We offer pupils a unique opportunity to achieve academic distinction and personal excellence. Each year, we offer a number of scholarships, awards and bursaries to individuals with that spark of potential. Talented musicians are encouraged to apply for a Music Scholarship whatever their instrument.
There are scholarships at 11+ for entry into Year 7, 13+ for entry into Year 9 and at 16+ for entry into Year 12. These scholarships are merit based and competed for via examination, audition or other appropriate assessment.
The scholarship programme aims to enable pupils to pursue music to as high a level as they wish. Some will look to study music beyond Clifton and aim to go into the music profession, whereas for others it is a wonderful way to relax and achieve something of real value alongside their academic studies. We look to help all musicians individually achieve their goals, whatever they might be.
Previous Music Scholars have gone on to study music at Oxford, Cambridge, Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music and other conservatoires; others have been members of award-winning close harmony groups and recorded their own albums.
Find out more information at: www.cliftoncollege.com/upper/admissions
Or contact: Mr James Drinkwater, Director of Music: jdrinkwater@cliftoncollege.com / 0117 3157 230
Sir David Willcocks Organ Scholarship 16+
In 2012, Sir David Willcocks announced his generous commitment to a new sixth-form organ scholarship in his name at Clifton College. A partnership with Bristol Cathedral was established to augment the role, and the inaugural Willcocks Scholar was appointed in 2013. Holders since then have won organ scholarship places at several Oxbridge colleges as well as at Hereford Cathedral.
A 32-foot extension of the Pedal Ophicleide reed at Clifton College was installed in Autumn 2017, and a CD recorded by Regent Records of the College choirs with pupil organists and brass was recorded in 2018 to celebrate this addition.
This 16+ post is for a sixth-form entrant, running for two years. Candidates may also jointly apply for the 16+ academic scholarships. The successful candidate will receive support from the Sir David Willcocks Trust as well as the opportunity to apply for generous means-tested funding towards either a boarding or day pupil place, which could be as much as 100% of fees and free instrumental lessons.
Find out more information at: www.cliftoncollege.com/upper/admissions
Or contact: Mr James Drinkwater, Director of Music: jdrinkwater@cliftoncollege.com / 0117 3157 230
Directions to Venues
Preschool: Clifton College Preschool, Guthrie Road, Clifton, BS8 3ET
Forest Garden: Clifton College Forest Garden (opposite side of road from Preschool), Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET
Pre-Prep Hall: Clifton College Pre-Preparatory School, Butcombe House, The Avenue, Clifton BS8 3EZ
Prep Music Department: Top Floor of Merry House, Clifton College Preparatory School, The Avenue, Clifton, BS8 3HE
Prep Hall: Clifton College Preparatory School, accessible from The Avenue, Clifton, BS8 3HE
Chapel: Access to Chapel either through Memorial Arch, opposite 32 College Road BS8 3HJ or from Reception on Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
Joseph Cooper Music School: Located on Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET
The Crypt: Located underneath the Clifton College Chapel, accessible from the Sports Field side
The Redgrave Theatre: Percival Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LE
On street parking is available for free after 5pm.
Keep up to date with Music at Clifton College on Twitter, including videos and photos of concerts and events: https://twitter.com/ccolmusic @ccolmusic
