MUSIC
There are many musical activities and opportunities available within the School.
Orchestras
The Junior Orchestra rehearses on Saturday mornings from 9.00 am to 10.30 am. Boys normally join this after they have passed at least Grade 1 of the Associated Board music exams and/or when vacancies occur. Children from other schools also join this ensemble, which currently numbers about 50 players, and this is the training orchestra before promotion to:
The Senior Orchestra which meets on Thursday from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm. Entry depends on vacancies, but the minimum standard required in most instruments is Grade 6. The orchestra, which is in effect a Chelmsford Youth Orchestra, plays the standard orchestral repertoire, and numbers about 60 players. It has gained a considerable reputation both locally and nationally in the past few years, and is often highly acclaimed in the local press. Members of the orchestra frequently play concertos with the orchestra at End of Term Orchestral Concerts.
Other Ensembles
There are in addition many instrumental and vocal groups active throughout the year in the school, which boys and girls are encouraged to join, including a Chamber Ensemble (strings), a junior strings group (KEGS Strings), string quartets, a Wind Band (now over 60 strong) and a Jazz Ensemble. I am particularly anxious for a large influx of suitably qualified pupils to join the Chamber Ensemble and the Strings, the Wind Band and the Jazz Ensemble.
If your son or daughter is interested in joining any of these ensembles or the Junior or Senior Orchestra, please contact Mr Worrall.
School Choir
All are encouraged to join the School Choir for which rehearsals are held regularly on Thursdays after school for Altos, Tenors and Basses, and at lunch times for Trebles rehearsals.
The choir’s main events are the Carol Service in the Cathedral in December and a major accompanied work in the Spring Concert. In addition, the choir performs in:
a) Commemoration Assembly at School in October,
b) Remembrance Assembly in November,
b) The Summer Concert (Trebles only)
All boys in Year Seven undergo a simple audition and are then invited to join the Choir. Cathedral choirboys are expected to be members where possible.
