Bryanston has a very strong musical tradition, and music is at the heart of School life in every aspect – socially, academically and spiritually. There is a considerable emphasis on performing and there are a very large number of musical groups available to participate in. The main instrumental groups are: a large Symphony Orchestra; a specialist Chamber Orchestra; a Concert Band (catering for players between grades V - VIII) and a stunning 16-piece Dance Band (with opportunities for solo vocalists).

Over 40 pupils are currently involved in chamber music. For the last three years, Bryanston musicians have reached the finals of the National Chamber Music Competition for Schools. The strong tradition of chamber music continues and there are currently eight chamber music groups which receive weekly coaching sessions: Junior piano quartet, Senior brass trio, Junior brass group, Senior piano trio, 2 Senior string quartets, Piano quintet and a senior saxophone quartet. Many of these groups will be participating in the Pro Corda Music Festival for Schools in the Lent term. Throughout the year, there are plenty of platform opportunities for students to perform chamber music. Concerts in the Main Hall, Edwin Evans Music Room and Church are ideal venues for these groups.

Bryanston is building on a strong choral tradition and has a total of five choirs. Any pupil can join the Choral Society, which performs a significant choral work every Spring Term. The Bryanston Choral Society (consisting of adults from the local community) join forces with the pupil choir to form the huge 200 strong voices. Last year Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius was performed in the Coade Hall, and this year the choir is venturing out to the beautiful Christchurch Priory near Bournemouth to perform Mozart’s Requiem with a professional orchestra. There is a ‘BCD’ Girls choir (which stands at 60 voices) and an SATB ‘A’ choir (consisting of about 60 singers – all the male singing pupils and the lower 6th and upper 6th girls). These two choirs perform each month at Bryanston Church and various high-profile concerts throughout the year, including St. Paul’s in London. There is a staff choir which also occasionally performs at Church, and finally a specialist Chamber Choir. In addition to the same opportunities as the ‘A’ and ‘BCD’ choirs, the Chamber choir will be performing Choral Evensong at Sturminster Newton and Salisbury Cathedral.

Other choral opportunities exist for pupils, such as the annual musical performed in the impressive 650 seater theatre known as ‘Coade Hall’. Last year there was a production of Mikado and this year the chosen musical was Calamity Jane. The productions always demonstrate a very high standard and are always greatly looked forward to by the Bryanston community.

Whilst particular importance is given to ‘Classical’ music, the music department celebrates a broad range of musical styles, all of which is overseen by a large team of 39 Visiting Music Teachers of an extremely high calibre and a team of a further six full-time music staff: The Director of Music – Duncan Emerson; Deputy Director of Music / Head of Wind – Philip Rioch; Head of Academic Music – Daniel Webb; Head of Keyboard – Graham Scott; Head of Strings – Christina Ball; Teacher of Music – Jenny Price. There are also three part-time ‘Heads’: Head of Singing – Rachael Holland; Head of Brass – Dave Price and Head of Percussion – Richard Baker. All staff are supported by a full-time secretary, Jean Webb.

The pupils have ample opportunity to perform in both formal and informal settings. There is a weekly informal Tuesday lunchtime concert. This slot is also shared with a professional concert series where students are treated to miniature recitals and informative sessions about individual instruments and performance tips. Every Wednesday evening a variety of more formal concerts take place ranging from evenings featuring solo performances from the music scholars and music award holders set in separate year groups, to chamber ensembles or pop groups.

Every term music scholars and music award holders travel to enjoy a concert given by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. There are also occasional visits to the ENO and other such venues. Internal masterclasses are frequently scheduled, most recently the renowned cellist Sue Lowe came to Bryanston and next term we welcome Malcolm Layfield who is Head of Strings at the Royal Northern College of Music. In April there will be an exciting viol workshop with Alison Crum where students will experience playing in a Consort.

All music scholars and award holders are entitled to free instrumental tuition and weekly Alexander Technique sessions. In addition, a professional accompanist meets the pupil every week for a single period to enhance the speed and quality of their development.

To encourage first year pupils to learn an orchestral instrument an introductory term’s music tuition is offered free of charge. All pupils have a double lesson of Music in the ‘D’ year (3rd form). Music is a popular subject at GCSE level, with candidate numbers well into double figures, and each year several pupils decide to take the subject on to AS- and A2-level. All of the full-time music staff contribute to the academic teaching and pupils benefit from the guidance of a number of teachers throughout their GCSE or A-level courses.

The more advanced pupils are given the opportunity to play a concerto with the Symphony Orchestra or Chamber Orchestra. This term Rozzie Curlett played Saint-Saens’ Cello concerto and Charlotte Routh performed Rutter’s Suite Antique.

Two music tours are now in the pipeline. Firstly a trip to New York for the Dance Band scheduled for July 2008. Secondly, a tour to a European destination in Easter 2009 for the Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Choir.

Exciting plans are currently underway concerning a brand new cutting-edge music-school and architects have been instructed to commence the design process.

Pupils gain places in the National Youth Orchestra, county orchestras and in University Music Departments and Music Colleges. The most recent honours have been achieved by:

2004 Sarah Mynott, Choral Scholar, Trinity College, Cambridge

2005 Charlotte Kingston, Choral Scholar, Clare College, Cambridge

2005 Andrew Littlemore, Major Scholar, Guildhall

2007 Katie Littlemore, Major Scholar, RAM

Many Bryanstonians have become distinguished professional musicians, notably Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Mark Wigglesworth, Mark Elder CBE, Robert Saxton and Simon Standage.

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