Music is central to life at King’s High. Our aspiration is to foster creativity, excellence, inclusion, and community, so that every pupil will leave school with a continuing love for music in a variety of genres and styles.
This aspiration is supported by our talented music department; it does not matter whether a child has had any personal experience of music beforehand or is already very advanced – we will help everyone at every stage to develop, nurture, and expand their love and appreciation for music. Taking part in the making of music, either informally at home, or by playing or singing in orchestras, choirs, ensembles, or stage shows, is something that expands our creativity, our communication, and our humanity. Whichever route our students choose to make music, we will help them to play or sing whatever they feel with confidence and joy.
state of the art music school
Our new Music School provides state-of-the-art facilities for the pupils of King’s High and Warwick Prep. Our musicians, aged from 3-18 years, have Conservatoire-style performance spaces. The high-tech, acoustically tuned building includes a stunning auditorium, rehearsal studio (including an organ from Birmingham Royal Conservatoire), two music classrooms, one keyboard suite running Cubase and Sibelius workstations, percussion studio, 14 practice rooms, a music library, and plenty of instrument storage.
Groups
Vocal groups are usually organised by age, and membership of instrumental ensembles is determined roughly by standard of performance. We have a full team of specialist, peripatetic music staff who offer individual tuition on all main instruments. Lessons are timetabled during the school day. Extracurricular music activities are open to all and play an important part in the life of the school. Students are also actively encouraged to form their own groups and bands.
Our music groups include:
Chamber music ensembles include:
concerts
The department has a busy concert programme including major concerts and musicals, showcase recitals, informal tea time concerts, jazz rock and pop nights, annual Carol Services at St Mary’s Church, joint projects with Warwick School and Warwick Preparatory School and regular workshops and trips. The Inspire Music series schedules an event, workshop or concert every Thursday after school throughout the year.
Recent events and successes include:
- Pro Corda Chamber Champions
- National Wind Band Festival Award Winners
- Top prize winners in Local Festivals
Girls are also regular members of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain, National Schools Symphony Orchestra, National Youth Choir of Great Britain, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Youth Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Youth Chorus and Rodolfus Choir.
