Music

Not Missing a Beat: Music at King Edward's

Music continued to grow and thrive at King Edward’s as we built on the legacy of past generations of pupils. The Music School enjoyed some refurbishment and for much of last year was bursting at the seams with activities from morning to evening.

Chapel Choir was as busy as ever both near and far. Now some 50 strong, they continued to be wonderful ambassadors for the School. From Evensong at Winchester Cathedral to this year’s Bridewell Service in London, they delighted parents and guests with their performances. Perhaps one of the highlights of the year was the tour to Venice where they sang at the English Church and the Basilicas of Frari and St Mark’s. In March they performed Fauré’s Requiem where they were joined by Old Witleians, parents, staff, pupils from Barrow Hills as well as guests from the local community.

Symphony Orchestra and ensembles were very busy with some 20 concerts before the Spring term was brought to an abrupt close. Musician of the Year had over 120 participants in the first round before a mammoth six-hour final in early March! It was a pleasure to see the standard of playing progress as we moved from the beginner to advanced classes. Pupils formed the entire pit band for the School musical and played with flair during the dress-rehearsals.

Not to be deterred by the COVID-19 pandemic, musicmaking continued remotely with individual music lessons and ensembles happening weekly. In the first half of the Summer Term, pupils prepared 40 pieces for our first virtual concert called “Together at Home” which went live over half term. With over a hundred pupils taking part from both King Edward’s and our partner School, Barrow Hills, it was a tour de force showing that our pupils were not going to let the sound of music stay silent!

We have been very fortunate with the Countess of Munster Trust sponsoring tuition for three pupils along with parents of an Old Witleian sponsoring a fourth pupil. This means that we can continue to provide one to one instrumental and vocal lessons to those who would otherwise not be able to pay for them. This is true to the founding principles of the School and enables all to enjoy the benefits of such tuition, and keep music at the cultural heart of the School.

Stasio Sliwka, Director of Music at Barrow Hills and King Edward's