Music has played a central part in the life of the College since its foundation in 1619 by Edward Alleyn. Today, the Music Department offers a comprehensive programme of study for all the boys whatever their musical interests and abilities.
A blend of traditional and contemporary co-curricular performance activities serve to enrich the cultural life of the College as well as enhance the academic teaching of the department. The College’s performance programme includes concerts given at leading London venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, St John's Smith Square, Cadogan Hall and Southwark Cathedral. The department organises tours both nationally and internationally, most recently to US in Easter 2017 and to Bremen in October 2018.
The College’s musicians regularly go on to the country’s leading Universities to read Music and to the Conservatoires for specialist instrumental or singing courses. They are also represented in the London Schools Symphony Orchestra, the National Children’s Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra. We regularly receive applications from boys who wish to join the College purely for our musical provision, and a variety of Music Awards are offered to the most gifted. The Director of Music is always pleased to meet and advise parents and their sons who may be interested in these awards and opportunities.
