At Blundell’s Senior School we have an extremely busy and vibrant Music Department catering for both academic and individual music lessons. Every term there are a huge variety of concerts ranging from informal year-group concerts to spectacular Orchestral, Choral and combined concerts, both in school and at external venues such as Exeter Cathedral. We also have a thriving jazz, rock and pop scene. There are over 350 music lessons a week, with well over a third of the school learning an instrument. With 29 ensembles rehearsing per week, there truly is something for every child.
Music Lessons
To register for Music Lessons please complete the survey form via the following link: Music Lessons Request Form
We currently have 30 exceptional Visiting Music Teachers who are available to teach across a wide range of instruments and styles from beginners through to Diploma level and beyond. Students are entered regularly for ABRSM and Trinity classical grades, as well as Jazz and Rock & Pop Examinations.
We aim to provide 30 lessons of 40 minutes over an academic year, currently charged at £34 per lesson billed retrospectively at the end of the academic term. Accompanists are provided as required as part of this rate. Advanced aural (grade 6+) is also provided free of charge.
Lessons are available for:
Singing
Classical, musical theatre or pop
Keyboards
Piano – classical, pop or jazz
Organ
Guitar – classical, acoustic, electric or bass
Drums – kit or tuned percussion
Strings
Violin
Viola
Cello
Double Bass
Harp
Woodwind
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
Clarinet
Saxophone
Brass
Trumpet
Cornet
French Horn
Trombone
Tuba
At Blundell’s we are committed to improving your child’s musicality and as such all pupils who take instrumental or vocal lessons are strongly encouraged and expected to be part of ensemble music-making in their chosen genre, either in the Orchestras, Choirs or bands. We will attempt to ensure pianists are also catered for.
All pupils are encouraged and invited to join free music theory lessons. These happen outside of curricular time (lunchtimes or before school) and are delivered by the Academic Music staff.
Choirs
We have a variety of very active Choirs that regularly perform both within school and externally. SH Choir is for those pupils in years 7 and 8 and Full Choir is for those in years 9 and above. All are welcome to join in and pupils do not have to be having lessons to do so. For those that wish to sing more or to take their singing further there is Chamber Choir for Years 9-13, Chapel Choir for years 3-13, Boys and Girls Close Harmony groups and our auditioned elite choir, Blundell’s Cantorum.
Instrumental Groups
There are 29 ensemble rehearsals a week in the Music Department, and your child can choose to join the Full Orchestra, the Big Band, School House Instrumentalists, String Orchestra, Brass Group, Senior and Junior Flute Group, Percussion Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble and a myriad of other instrumental groups. There are also year-group chamber ensembles for scholars and invited non-scholars run by a professional chamber music coach. For pop and rock musicians there are a number of clubs and student bands are strongly encouraged to perform and rehearse.
For any further enquiries regarding choirs, instrumental ensembles or the Music Department generally, please contact the Music Administrator, Mrs Alison Watmore music@blundells.org