Music
Music is a huge part of life at St Albans School, reflected in the wide range and variety of music opportunities available through our co-curricular programme.
Many pupils perform in a variety of concerts and events throughout the year.
The Department runs a diverse programme of musical activities during lunchtimes, and after school on Monday and Tuesday evenings. We expect all instrumentalists, whether they learn in school or with an external teacher, to take part in the after-school programme. There are many different activities available to pupils throughout the week, including:
Bentley Brass Ensemble
All brass players are welcome to play in this group.
Bainbridge Bress Ensemble
All brass players are welcome to play in this group.
Chamber Ensembles
Various ensembles (String Quartet, Piano Trio and more) rehearsing with staff oversight and help, playing a variety of Classical Chamber repertoire. Membership by invitation, although suggestions are also welcome.
Choir
The main School Choir is open to all pupils of the School. In addition to Abbey Assemblies, the Carol Service and Founders’ Day, the Choir is involved in the annual Joint Schools’ Choral Society Concert in the Abbey in which we join with the St Albans High School for Girls and perform to many parents and friends of the school.
Clarinet Ensembles
A varied repertoire of Jazz and Classical works is studied and there are regular performing opportunities. These rehearsals are a great way to improve sight-reading skills, working as a team and mixing with other years.
Close Harmony Group
For senior boys and girls and by audition only, the Barbershop Group is a flagship ensemble performing regularly at public concerts and in the Cathedral.
Concert Band
All wind, brass and percussion players are welcome to take part in this ensemble playing a mixture of popular, classical and jazz pieces. This ensemble contains a mixture of experienced and inexperienced instrumentalists.
Flute Group
Flute Group is a fun and welcoming group for any flute players in the school, performing in the main school concerts and occasional lunchtime recitals. Repertoire includes music from every era and style, with parts at all levels to suit the players.
Guitar Group
This group is designed to introduce guitarists to ensemble playing. They play a mixture of styles and genres, catering for the different types of guitar playing.
Jazz Band
The Jazz Band are the stars of the annual Jazz Evening concert and play at several Christmas and summer engagements. Excellent sight-reading skills coupled with outstanding musicianship are the principal entry requirements. Entry is by application to the Director of Music.
Orchestra
The flagship group ensemble of the school, the Orchestra is formed from our elite musicians and is by invitation only. Recent repertoire has included Carnival of The Animals and Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll.
Percussion Ensemble
Open to all who wish to play percussion in a huge variety of styles including composing your own pieces to perform in concerts.
Live Band Workshops
A workshopping opportunity for any fully formed rock bands or budding rock musicians on keys, bass, guitars and/or vocals. There are various opportunities to perform at Rock concerts throughout the year.
Sax Ensemble
Saxophone players who are grade 4 level and above are welcome to take part in this group and the repertoire covers a mixture of styles and genres.
Sinfonia Strings
Our junior String ensemble, utilising all String Players who are not in the main School Orchestra. A wide range of styles is performed but tends to focus on fun repertoire.
String Orchestra
All string players of Grade 2 standard and above are welcome to join the String Orchestra. Recent repertoire includes Bartok’s Rumanian Dances and Britten’s Simple Symphony.
Wind Band
Our junior Wind and Brass ensemble, utilising all wind and brass players who are not in the main School Orchestra. A wide range of styles is performed but tends to focus on fun repertoire.
