Musical Highlights

The academic year has already hit several high notes in the Music Department…

At the start of term, South Hampstead was named as the best school in the UK for Music by The Week, whilst one of our Year 11 Music Scholars was awarded a place in the National Youth Orchestra – congratulations to Anabelle! Weekly rehearsals are now well underway for more than twenty ensembles, including more student-run groups than ever – as well as our iconic ukulele orchestra, we now also have three student-run choirs. Pupils are also taking the lead with our perennially popular Grade 1 challenge whereby, in a reversal of roles, our talented Musicians are teaching their teachers and other staff to learn a new instrument!

Other highlights of the term so far have included our annual Music Scholars’ Reception, our Friday lunchtime Scholars’ Recital series, and the eagerly anticipated House Music Competition, which brought together over fifty students performing as soloists and in House ensembles; the whole Senior School – teachers included – joined in enthusiastically for each performance of the whole House Song which left the hall buzzing with energy.

We ended the half term with two Scholars’ Recitals and a Teatime Concert, showcasing a wonderful range of repertoire including Chopin’s Cello Sonata in G minor, Bach’s Partita in D minor for solo violin, an original composition written and performed by one of our Year 11 vocal scholars, and alumna Rebecca Clarke’s Lullaby and Grotesque for viola and cello. We now look forward to an even busier second half of term, with another Teatime Concert, the Chamber Choir singing Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral, the Rock & Pop Concert, two Winter Concerts, and our much-loved Carol Service to close the term.