King Edward VI School - Music

Music

An extensive programme of extra-curricular activities is made available to all K.E.S. students, including a regular series of concerts and performances in the local community and further afield. The School enjoys a close working relationship with a significant number of professional organisations who regularly provide opportunities for workshops, masterclasses and concert visits. These include the Orchestra of the Swan, the Stratford International Festival of Words and Music, the RSC, Ex Cathedra, CBSO and the Chipping Campden Music Festival.

Individual Tuition
Individual lessons are offered by specialist instrumental/vocal teachers to all year groups across a large range of instruments, including all orchestral instruments, guitar (electric, bass and acoustic), piano, organ and voice. Please contact Mrs Adams, our Music Administrator for more information.

Year 7
All Year 7 students are offered the opportunity to study an instrument, free of charge, for their first term as part of the Year 7 Scheme. This is the School’s tangible investment in the musical ethos of the School: all students can take part.

As well as their individual lesson, Year 7 students participate in the following weekly ensembles led by a specialist staff:
  • Year 7 Brass
  • Year 7 Double Reed
  • Year 7 Flute
  • Year 7 Guitars
  • Year 7 Percussion
  • Year 7 Single Reed
  • Year 7 Strings
Year 12
Every year a significant number of external students are particularly attracted to the School due to the exceptional quality of the extra-curricular provision. There are many opportunities available within the Music department where students are able to take a leading role, both musically and in a leadership capacity.

Music Ensembles 
In order to make our ethos a reality, our provision is quite flexible, especially with regard to chamber ensembles. However, the following groups meet weekly:

Choirs
• Lower School Choir
• Middle School Choir
• Sixth Form Choir
• Chapel Choir
• School Choir

Large Ensembles
• Concert Band
• JazzSquad!
• King Eddie’s Revival Big Band
• Orchestra (for part of the year)
• String Orchestra

Chamber Ensembles
• Clarinet Quartet
• The King’s Brass
• Rock Bands
• Saxophones Quartet
• Middle School String Quartet
• Senior String Quartet
• Year 9 Strings (funded by Warwickshire Arts & Cultural Education Partnership and Arts Council England)

We have a clear path to progress between groups and also encourage students to take advantage of a wealth of opportunities via Warwickshire Music including the Yamaha Guitar School. Please see https://www.warwickshiremusichub.org/  for more information. Many of our students play in the Warwickshire Music County Groups.Extra-curricular music offers a broad range of enjoyable opportunities. 

Please follow us on Twitter for up to date information about the life of the department @KESMusicNet