Music at Warwick Schools Foundation

Studying music at Warwick has provided me with amazing opportunities from the start to the end of my school career. I have been able to perform amazing music at the annual Jazz at the Bridge concert and termly symphony orchestra concerts but, most importantly, Warwick music has had a hugely positive impact on my social life at the school allowing me to forge some of my strongest friendships.

To date, the main highlight of my time in the Warwick school music department has been the incredible concert in Warwick Uni’s Butterworth Hall that we gave at the start of the year. Being able to perform in such a prestigious location and at such a high level filled me with pride as a member of the Warwick school music community.

The music department here at Warwick has provided me with support pastorally and musically. In my time here I have had the opportunity to be taught by two incredible trumpet players with amazing musical experience. Alongside this, the music department has always been a place where I can go and talk about my interests and ask for advice.

My favourite thing about Warwick music is the breadth of opportunity. I have performed in diverse groups from a baroque trio to a New Orleans funk band. This has allowed me to experience a huge range of musical styles and explore what interests me most.

I joined Warwick Junior School in 2014 and was immediately captivated by the wealth of opportunities on offer in the music department and the enthusiasm and charisma that shone through the staff.

I quickly took on the viola as part of the string project, which gave every boy the opportunity to access professional music and singing became part of my daily life. At the age of 8, I was awarded a choral scholarship, allowing me to train as a chorister at St. Mary’s Church in Warwick, where I still sing today. Opportunities to perform were great in number with the emphasis always on enjoyment and participation for all. This continued into the Senior School, where the sheer number of different groups made me feel like a child in a sweetshop!

The Year 7 music scheme once again made music accessible to all boys in my year and the number of individual music lessons skyrocketed. Through various groups and orchestras, I was able to participate in a breadth of repertoire, performing in concerts and competitions across a range of genres with great success. Singing with the Chapel Choir opened the doors to venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and St. Paul’s Cathedral. As a Music Scholar, I enjoyed several trips to the opera, and close links with several Oxford colleges opened my eyes to the possibility of applying for an Oxbridge Choral Scholarship.

My love of music led me to continue studying academically as I chose music at GCSE. This exposed me to new areas, including composition, which soon became something to fill up any free time! Warwick’s music computer room provides a comprehensive education in current notation software, and I have developed skills that I will take with me throughout my musical career. Beyond GCSE I took Music for A-level, and, with six other students in my class, have enjoyed the benefits of a small, focused teaching group.

The Advanced Musicianship Programme, which runs on Friday afternoons, gives students insight into topics as wide-ranging as score reading, mindfulness, and conducting – which can be enhanced through conducting workshops with Rebecca Miller and the Orchestra of the Swan. I had the department’s full support in numerous creative projects, notably an original musical: ‘Hastings!’ which combined my love of musical theatre and history. Building on my newfound interest in conducting, I was given the opportunity to musically direct the Lower School’s production of Shrek: The Musical in June 2024.

My experience studying music at Warwick School has been nothing short of amazing. I have felt inspired by the teaching staff and by my peers, and truly believe our school’s facilities make it one of the best-equipped institutions for the study of music.

There is a very strong pastoral network within Warwick School’s music department. I have never felt afraid to go to them for support with clashes, feeling overwhelmed by commitments, or reflecting on performances. As professionals within the music industry, they are all familiar with the pressures of managing your time effectively and having high expectations of yourself. They have equally been incredibly enthusiastic about all of my musical endeavours and, when the time came to apply for university, gave their full support in my application to Oxford with mock interviews and guidance.

I completed my ARSM singing diploma in July 2024, gaining a distinction! My diploma would not have been possible without the expertise and support of Head of Music Scholars, Miss Hooker. She has been incredibly important in organising and encouraging students and also takes on the challenging role of accompanying nearly all soloists in their exams and concert performances. Preparation for my diploma was spearheaded by my singing teacher, Mrs. Newton, who has provided weekly tutoring and support since I began lessons with her in 2018.

Warwick is very lucky to have such a vibrant and supportive music department. Right the way through from Year 7 to Sixth Form, students are encouraged to be creative and embrace all that the department has to offer. Students who begin their musical journeys at an entry-level can expect to participate in groups and concerts at an incredibly high standard by the time they leave school. Music at Warwick could mean playing in a symphony orchestra, jazz combo, string quartet, rock band, or a choir, with every activity supported by highly experienced staff. Such a varied offering is a testament to the dedication and passion of both students and staff. Beyond the technical and artistic development, music at Warwick fosters a strong sense of community, collaboration, and confidence that stays with students long after they leave.

My musical journey started in Year 3 when everyone in my class was given the opportunity to learn the violin for the academic year as part of the KS2 String Scheme. Mrs O’Reilly taught us all to play during our timetabled music lessons; I really enjoyed it and I found I had a natural talent for it.

Since then, I have continued to develop my musical skills. I now have one-to-one lessons in school, which I absolutely love. The teachers make the lessons so much fun, which motivates me to practise and improve. I have reached Grade 3 on the violin and I’m working towards my Grade 2 singing exam. I was awarded a Distinction for my Grade 1, which I’m very proud of.

I think what I love most about playing and singing is the way you can express different emotions. It’s also amazing how music can affect your mood. For example, if you’re feeling sad then playing, or listening to, happy music can make you feel so much better!

I’m a member of the Prep School Orchestra and I also sing in the Prep Choir. We learn so many different pieces – a mixture of modern and classical music – and we have lots of opportunities to perform. At Christmas, I sang and played my violin in the end-of-term concert. I really enjoy these concerts because we have the chance to perform with students of all ages, including Senior School and Sixth Form students. I also sang in the school’s carol service at Holy Trinity Church.

Everyone at Kingsley has been so supportive of my music. Whenever they hear me play, my teachers and classmates congratulate me and say, ‘Well done – that was really good!’ We have just started rehearsing for our Year 6 musical – Matilda – and I have been given a number of solos. I’m excited to perform alongside my classmates and can’t wait to show everyone what we’ve been working on!

Music is my creative outlet, providing me with a means of self-expression. It’s also a great way of connecting with others. Many of my closest friends are those I have met through music. When I’m not doing homework, I’m normally engaging in something musical, and I spend many hours practising different pieces and orchestral works. Currently, my favourite piece is ‘Sonata in C Major’ by Taktakishvili. I have been working especially hard on this over the last month, so I feel a real sense of accomplishment when I perform it.

I’m a member of the Warwick Schools Foundation Symphony Orchestra and the Foundation Wind Orchestra. I played first flute in the pit orchestra for the musical ‘Sweeney Todd’ at the Bridge House Theatre, which was so much fun. Another memorable experience was playing first flute in the work ‘Calling All Dawns’ in an orchestra comprising of Foundation students and staff, and professional musicians. I have also performed first flute in ‘Jupiter’ as part of a woodwind ensemble and this term I’m really looking forward to working with Orchestra of the Swan – a professional orchestra that has close links with the Warwick Schools Foundation. The ‘side-by-side’ event will see students from Warwick School, Kingsley and King’s High collaborating with professional musicians to compose a jazz-influenced work entitled ‘Elements’. I’m primarily a classical musician and haven’t had much exposure to jazz, so this will be a new experience for me, which I am excited for.

I’m also a member of the Junior Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. I attend every Saturday and play in a range of ensembles and orchestras. I also take theory and aural lessons, and I receive one-to-one tuition with a professional musician. The experience I have gained at conservatoire, playing alongside so many other talented musicians, has been invaluable. At the end of last year, I performed in the Symphony Orchestra for the first time. I played first flute in Smetena, which included several solos. This is, without doubt, my proudest achievement to date. The high standards and challenging repertoire has greatly boosted my confidence in my musical abilities.

I also participate in various competitions. On February the 23rd, I played in the finals of the British Flute Society’s competition. I recently played in the National Concert Band Festival competition with my Conservatoire Wind Orchestra and we were awarded the prestigious platinum award.

When I joined Kingsley in Year 7, I was pleased to be awarded a music scholarship. The school has been incredibly supportive over the years, providing me with numerous opportunities to perform, both as a soloist and within groups. Just last week, I played my flute in a whole-school assembly, and I regularly take part in end-of-term concerts. I’m looking forward to performing ‘Sonata in C Major’ in the upcoming Senior Soloists Concert. My teachers help to ensure I can balance my musical commitments with academic work. If they know I’m having a particularly busy time, they are understanding and adjust my workload accordingly, offering extensions on deadlines when necessary. There are also lunchtime drop-ins and revision sessions, which help me stay on top of my studies. The Music GCSE course at Kingsley has been instrumental in strengthening my theoretical knowledge and honing my composition skills, complementing my studies at the Conservatoire.

This summer, I will be attending an English Symphony Orchestra residential course at Bromsgrove. I’m really looking forward to this, especially since I’ll have finished my GCSEs! I plan to study Music at A-level and eventually pursue a degree in Music Performance at a conservatoire. I hope to become a professional musician, perhaps combining teaching with playing in orchestras.

My name is Anna, and I am a music scholar. I sing and play the piano, violin and bassoon. I have been singing for as long as I can remember, but I started to learn the violin in Year 2 and the piano in Year 3 at school.

The thing I love most about music at King’s is the incredible support from the music and school staff and the amazing opportunities we have. I sing in several choirs and play in lots of different ensembles from chamber music groups to a full symphony orchestra. I am a member of Accordia, made up of four music scholars and in 2024, we won the U12 class of the annual Pro Corda chamber music festival, playing a piece written for us by our Director of Music.

We also perform a musical every other year and at the end of Year 7, I was Wednesday in The Addams Family Musical. This year I will be helping to write the music for the production and will play in the ensemble.

As music scholars, we have the opportunity to meet professional musicians and to go behind the stage at concert venues and theatres. At the end of Year 6, I passed Grade 5 in singing, violin and piano with distinction. I also study theory and passed Grade 5 at the end of Year 5 with a distinction. I started to learn the bassoon in the Year 7 instrument scheme and am now playing at about Grade 4 standard. In December 2024, I became BBC Junior Young Chorister of the Year.

Read more about Anna’s BBC Young Chorister of the Year achievement in our Winter edition of King’s High News on pp16-17.

My name is Jess. I am a Year 8 music scholar at King’s High, and I play the harp, piano, and organ. I have always loved music, and in particular the harp. I have successfully auditioned for the National Children’s Orchestra Projects three times, so when I was offered the scholarship, I was really looking forward to all the musical opportunities offered at King’s High, and I have found it to be even better than expected. In Year 7, the whole year takes part in an orchestra, which gives everyone the opportunity to try a new instrument in a concert. I really enjoy playing at lots of different concerts, both as a solo and ensemble performer. This year, at the whole school Christmas Carol Service at St Mary’s Church, I played the organ at the start of the service, which was a real privilege.

Being a harpist always adds an extra layer of complexity – not just the size of the concert harp, but many composers do not write specifically for the harp, and that can cause some complications! I am really pleased that at King’s High I am able to play in both the King’s High Orchestra and the FSO, which is the advanced Foundation Symphony Orchestra. I find the FSO really pushes me to stretch myself in an advanced ensemble setting, and to play at that standard last year at the Warwick Arts Centre in a packed 1,300-seater venue was really amazing. I also play my lever harp at the King’s High Orchestra, which is a less challenging setting but really fun to be able to play with some of my friends from my year and also involves different concerts.

I love playing in Accordia, which is the Year 8/Year 9 Scholar group. We play to a very high standard, which means the music is beautiful, and it is really fun to collaborate with other musicians who share what I enjoy creating. We were fortunate enough to win the Pro Corda Chamber Festival last year in the U12 category, which not only involved travelling to London to compete in the final, but then to play at Draper’s Hall at the winners’ concert, which was an amazing experience, and we were so proud of our achievement. We are extremely lucky that our group is run by the Director of Music, whose enthusiasm and commitment enable us to work so well together and have fun. He takes the time to compose our wonderful competition-winning music for us, so we do not have trouble trying to find suitable music for a harp, viola, violin, and flute!

Having a Director of Music who is so committed is brilliant, as he opens up more opportunities for us to use our strengths. The Accordia group is performing at the Key Stage 3 play this year, and two of us are composing parts of the music.

I am so grateful to be a music scholar at King’s and feel lucky to be able to embrace all the opportunities this offers me and to have supportive staff.

During my time at Warwick, I have played many instruments – starting in Year 6 by playing the flute and the violin. I stopped playing the violin in Year 7, but this was not due to a lack of interest in or hatred towards the instrument, but simply my lack of talent – whether that speaks to my perseverance or my curiosity, I’m unsure!

After that, I stuck to flute for two years, and I am currently working towards my Grade 5. I have also just started playing bass guitar this year with my teacher, Mr. Storer, and I am working on my Grade 1. I also sing in a rock band.

My musical experience has really helped me when studying music in school, whether it’s being able to make simple motifs or recognising what makes a piece of repertoire recognisable. But I am still learning, and my teachers always help when I ask and make lessons fun and engaging. I have also had lots of fun music lessons that further my understanding of music.

I have studied music all the way from Year 5 until now, and I plan to study further into Year 10. While going through the years, I have learned a lot of different things – starting in Year 5 with the history of music and now, in Year 9, studying the secret of composition. It seems that the longer I study music, the more challenging and exciting music seems to get.

At Warwick, my main instrument is the flute and, as a result, this is where most of my successes to date have been achieved. Probably the most notable is that I have passed my Grades 1 to 4, all with distinction, which is the highest mark possible on a music exam. Aside from that, I have also made many group achievements – one of which is the Pro Corda music competition I am entered into with my flute quintet called Flutissimo. We are currently in the semi-final round of the contest and have been playing brilliantly together. This shows not only the solo opportunities that we have access to at Warwick, but the group possibilities as well.

What I love about studying music at Warwick is the wide range of opportunities available. As someone who plays multiple instruments, my weeks can be filled with a variety of music-making. For example, on a Monday afternoon, I could be in an orchestra with lots of other boys and girls; on Wednesday, I could be in the studio singing with my rock band; and then on Fridays, I could be playing with my flute quintet. So, really, what I love is that every day is a new part of music – and the fact that I can experience and make all these types of music in one place is truly wonderful and an experience that I wouldn’t get anywhere else.

Music is, without question, my number one artistic outlet. It brings people together and it’s so accessible; we all engage with music on a daily basis, whether we consider ourselves to be musical or not. There’s something very exciting about composing and playing music – it’s electric!

I enjoy participating in a variety of music groups at school. I’m an active member of Kingsley’s Senior Swing Band. I also support the Junior Wind Band, and I sing in Cantus Amoris, an invitation-only vocal consort for experienced singers. Collaborating with other talented musicians is so rewarding. I spend many hours practising on my own, but playing in a group develops an entirely different skill set and has also improved my sight-reading abilities. We meet and practise on a weekly basis, and we regularly perform in school concerts.

Performing is, for me, one of the most rewarding aspects of being a musician. I have a keen interest in musical theatre, combining my love of music and singing with acting. I especially love performing in Cabaret – it’s so much fun! I’m a member of Playbox – a world-renowned theatre company for young people – and I participate in screen acting through an agency. I take ballet classes to further enhance my performance skills. I also enjoy preparing for, and taking, my singing examinations. Currently, I’m working towards my Grade 7 exam, and I’m particularly proud of the Distinctions I’ve earned in all of my previous grades.

Taking Music at A-level has broadened my understanding of the subject. We study a variety of genres, from Western classical music to rock and pop. The exam requires us to analyse the pieces we’ve studied in detail, as well as listening and responding to unfamiliar works. The course has encouraged me to explore a more diverse range of music, introducing me to genres such as impressionism and expressionism – styles I now really enjoy, but might not have gravitated to on my own.

I’m always seeking new opportunities to further develop and refine my musical abilities. I plan to volunteer at a local theatre company to deepen my understanding of sound technology, and I’m also auditioning for several musicals. Music has played a central role in my life both in and out of school, and I’m excited to see where it will take me in the future!