Music

Over a third of the School’s pupils learn an instrument. Music is taught as a creative practical subject to boys in Year 9 at the age of 13. Thereafter, music is offered as an option for GCSE and later for A Level.

See photos of music and drama activities..

Music scholarships

The School offers several music scholarships each year at the 13+ entry level.

Orchestra

The School orchestra meets weekly to prepare for performances held either up School, in the Abbey or St John’s Smith Square.

Every term there is a formal School concert at which major choral and orchestral works are performed. Informal recitals and chamber concerts are regular features, and each of the Houses arranges at least one concert a year.

Opera

There are regular opera workshops that may lead to a full production (for example Mozart’s 'The Magic Flute'). In recent years, 'Dido and Aeneas', 'Orfeo ed Eurydice', 'The Marriage of Figaro', 'Sweeney Todd', 'Ghetto' and 'The Threepenny Opera' have been performed.

Choir

The Choir leads the School’s services in Westminster Abbey. They sing anthems and, in collaboration with others, perform a major choral work at least once a year.

Musical variety

A wide range of music is studied from chamber music groups to jazz and rock bands and early music consorts. All are given expert coaching. There is no shortage of musical experience outside the School, and outings to the opera and concerts are frequent.

New music facilities

At Westminster there is a tradition of teaching composition and featuring works composed by pupils in concerts and recitals. Pupils also benefit from the use of a fully equipped electronic and computer music studio.

Manoukian Music Centre

As part of the School’s development programme, the Manoukian building at 9 Tufton Street has been refurbished. A first class music centre with ample room for performance and practice facilities is planned at 9 Tufton Street (close to Dean’s Yard). Soundproofed practice rooms occupy the basement.

The large open plan area on the ground floor with its high ceiling provides space for a full orchestra to practise. A music library, technology/computer room and a recording studio are housed on the first floor.

Manoukian Music Centre virtual tour
More photos