Music

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Music Department Staff Visiting Music Teachers

Music has always been a very important part of life at Westminster. Pupils are encouraged to learn and participate as fully as possible in a weekly routine which is full of rehearsals, recitals and concerts. Many internationally renowned musicians have been educated at the school including Sir Adrian Boult, Sir Roger Norrington, Ian Bostridge, Sir George Benjamin, Julian Anderson, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Gavin Rossdale, Mika, Dido and members of the band Clean Bandit.

All genres of music are celebrated, from symphonic works for our orchestras, and chamber music for a whole host of ensembles, to the worlds of pop and jazz. Singing is a hugely important part of life at Westminster, and the school community gathers regularly to sing together. Pupils and staff alike are inspired by their surroundings, singing twice weekly in Westminster Abbey and performing frequently at local venues such as Smith Square Hall and the Barbican. This really is a most unique place in which to live and breathe music.

Westminster musicians regularly attend the junior departments at the Royal Academy, Royal College and Guildhall, and a good number are members of national ensembles such as the National Youth Orchestra, National Children’s Orchestra and National Youth Choirs of Great Britain. The School is situated close to many of the world’s most exciting music venues on the South Bank and in the West End. Pupils are encouraged to attend concerts and recitals as well as performances of opera, ballet and musicals in order to extend their musical horizons.

A girl playing the double-bass in a navy jumper, she is smiling and someone else can be seen playing the same instrument behind in front of a large white column

A boy holding his trombone in a white shirt who is turning to talk to the boy in front of him who is also holding his own trombone, there is a boy the other side of him too at the back of the photo and behind him is wooden panelling

A boy playing the drums smiling in his school uniform with a teacher stood behind him leaning on something advising the drummer - the teacher is wearing a blue Hawaiian shirt

Two girls dressed in black huddled together smiling at the camera holding their violins, they are sat on a stage in front of a harp and behind them is wooden panelling on the balcony where a choir can be seen singing at the top

A boy playing the bassoon in a white shirt - he is in a row of boys playing clarinets and two bassoons can be see in the forefront too

A girl in a white shirt playing the flute, she is in front of a wooden panelled wall

Up to twelve music scholarships (eight at 13+ and four at 16+) are awarded every year. Academic music standards are very high, and a large proportion of Westminster musicians go on to further their musical education at either university or music college.

The Manoukian Music Centre, an excellent facility opened in 2005, is fully equipped with a recital hall, recording studio, classrooms, practice rooms, rehearsal rooms and instrument storage to the highest standards. The Manoukian Music Centre and the School Hall both house Steinway concert grand pianos and, in addition, the Music Department houses a Goble harpsichord. There are three manual organs in the Recital Hall, School Hall and the School Chapel, and organ students are able to practise and receive tuition on the organ in St Margaret’s, Westminster. Our organists are also privileged to be able to play the Harrison & Harrison organ in Westminster Abbey during twice weekly school services.

Music Video Library

Find out what our musicians are performing and view the videos!

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"Arriving at school in the morning to rehearse in the choir is the best thing I've done in ages!"

— David, Year 9 pupil
"It's incredible to play alongside so many others who love music like I do."

— Leila, Year 12 pupil