MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Curriculum Music is a popular subject option within the College, allowing pupils the chance to explore their musical interests through a diverse and holistic focus on different genres in order to foster a lifelong love of the art form. During Years 7, 8 and 9, there is a practical focus within lessons, and all pupils receive instruction in keyboard skills, as well as using their own instruments within composition activities. Music technology features prominently, with a dedicated ICT suite and recording facility to support the creativity of the pupils. Pupils are actively encouraged to learn an instrument with one of our 25 visiting Music teachers, with the department offering exhibitions for those displaying potential. Currently, more than 250 pupils across the College receive tuition in their instrument or voice, with frequent recruitment drives by the Heads of Strings, Brass and Woodwind.
Co-Curriculum There is a spectacular vibrancy to the weekly cocurricular programme, with ensembles rehearsing at all available opportunities, and enhanced by dedicated daily co-curricular time as part of the Forder Programme, allowing professional specialists to direct ensembles. The instrumental music offering is supported by the Heads of Instrumental Section who develop playing through the String, Brass, Woodwind ensembles and the Training Orchestra. The advanced players join the College Orchestra, who perform works from the Western Classical canon and further afield. Chamber groups flourish within our instrumental programme, and
perform in a number of chamber concerts across the year, including performances by our Guitar, Percussion and Jazz ensembles. Our flagship Big Band performs jazz and funk standards, in addition to accompanying our jazz vocalists. Choral singing is increasingly popular across the Senior School. SDC Voices, our non-auditioned choir, sing a wide spectrum of classical, rock and pop, musicals and gospel repertoire. The auditioned Chapel Choir tackle advanced repertoire and perform regularly at Evensongs and services in London and across the UK. We encourage pupils to lead their own groups, and there are now numerous a cappella choirs and bands. Pupils are supported by our Musician-in-Residence, a professional composer and accompanist, who teaches music theory and composition, as well as coaching our soloists for future recitals or auditions.
Events & Trips The programme of concerts and trips is both busy and eclectic, with there being weekly opportunities to perform internally and externally, as well as regular concert visits. In addition to whole College and Chamber concerts at St. Dunstan’s, the Festival of 9 Lessons and Carols and Easter concert take place in central London, with recent venues including St. John’s Smith Square and St Pancras Church. Recent concerts have included performances of Mozart’s Requiem, Fauré’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah and Elgar’s Enigma Variations, with our pupils acting as vocal soloists
and performing concertos, as well as having their compositions played by a professional orchestra. There are frequent domestic and international tours, with recent destinations including Rome, New York and Venice, with a trip to Prague in 2020 where our choirs will present three concerts to the Czech public. We also run an exciting range of musical visits to prestigious London venues, with recent outings to the English National Opera, Royal Opera House, Royal Festival Hall and Cadogan Hall.