Enrichment
Music
Music is at the heart of Bristol Cathedral Choir School and is the School’s principal specialism. Our aim is to give our students a world-class music education and a rich diet of musical opportunities, regardless of previous background or experience. Our mantra is Music For All. We embrace all styles of music and celebrate excellence and endeavour.
All pupils have an enhanced offer for music throughout their time here. In Years 7 and 8, pupils have 3 music lessons per fortnight, enabling them to develop and embed their musical skills and knowledge consistently over time. By year 9, pupils have a solid foundation in music, and the schemes of work are designed to equip any students to access GCSE music if they so choose. A third of students opt for Music GCSE; results are significantly above national averages.
We are a Music Specialist School which means that 10% of our Year 7 intake is selected according to music aptitude: prospective pupils wishing to be considered for this are invited to sit our Music Aptitude Test. These students are known as Music Specialists (see our music specialist admissions page for more details).
One of the unique aspects of the school is its role as the educational home for the Choristers of Bristol Cathedral. These choristers (about 28 in total, split equally between boys and girls) are pupils at the school and sing as part of the Cathedral’s choir, which has roots going back to the 12th century. Choristers receive professional-standard training in singing and musicianship under expert direction, forming a highly accomplished ensemble that also undertakes tours, broadcasts and festival performances (see our choristers admissions page for more details).
All Year 7 pupils have the opportunity to learn a brass or woodwind instrument, with a free instrument and heavily discounted lessons (see the 'Trailblazer' section).
Facilities – The Music department is based in a purpose-built centre which includes: ICT suites; a large teaching and performance space; a Sixth Form teaching room; a recording studio; a suite of practice rooms and the ‘Cresswell Theatre’, a 250-seat concert hall. All students are able to take advantage of our sequencing software and book practice rooms with the full-time Music Administrator.
Trailblazer Information
Year 7 Trailblazer scheme
As a music specialist school, we want to encourage all students to play an instrument. The Trailblazers scheme is a beginner-friendly scheme which sits apart from normal instrumental lessons and is devised to fast- track students into taking up an instrument. All Year 7 students are offered the opportunity to join our Trailblazer scheme to start learning a brass or woodwind instrument, with up to half the year group taking up this offer each year. As a school we purchase instruments and loan them to students free of charge for a year and subsidise lesson costs. This is a unique scheme that we have rolled out across all Secondary schools in the trust and each year Trailblazers come together for an annual Band Camp Day supported by professional musicians and partners at conservatoires. What's available:
The schools commitment:
Term 1: A free instrument, 10 group lessons with an expert teacher
Your commitment:
A £45 sign-up fee
Private instrument insurance (we can help you with setting this up).
Then, if after the Term 1 trial your child would like to continue with their lessons:
The schools commitment:
The school will support you by continuing to provide the instrument free of charge and subsidising ongoing tuition in a small group for the rest of the academic year.
Your commitment:
£45 for 10 small group lessons (per term)
At the end of the academic year the instrument needs to be returned and we may be able to offer various ways of purchasing/hiring a similar instrument if your child wishes to continue next year. Lessons would then be booked through the school under the existing system (see: Individual/small group tuition)
Membership of 'The Noise' (beginner orchestra, timings tbc) is compulsory for all students on the scheme.
More details on the Trailblazers scheme can be found here.
Instruments included in the Trailblazers scheme:
- Bassoon
- Clarinet
- Flute
- French Horn
- Oboe
- Saxophone
- Tuba
- Trombone
- Trumpet
If you have any questions regarding this initiative, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us via email musicadmin@bristolcathedral.org.uk
Instrumental and Vocal Lessons Information
Instrumental and Vocal Lessons
Instrumental and vocal lessons are delivered by 25 visiting teachers, many of whom are leading performers in the country. The school runs approximately 400 individual, paired and small group lessons per week. Such large numbers allow us to work with specialist teachers in classical, pop and jazz. Many of our students go on to study music at conservatoires or universities and also win choral scholarships to Oxbridge.
We want to see our students quickly progress in their chosen instrument or voice and have exceptional teaching staff and facilities to see this happen. Therefore lessons are for students who:
- Are willing to practice every day
- Have an instrument or access to one (please discuss with us the various options for purchasing/hiring an instrument)
- Participate in at least one school ensemble regularly each week
If you wish to start music lessons at BCCS, please fill out our online Google Form
Lessons are 30 minutes long and are on a rotating timetable so students do not miss the same curriculum lesson each week. Lessons cost £19.50* (£195 for 10 lessons each term). It is possible to have shared lessons, although this does depend on whether there is a suitable partner in terms of standard who also would like to share. We therefore cannot guarantee this but will try our best.
Lesson Fees
*excluding group lessons for Steel Pans (£4.50)
Instrumental teachers do not expect students at lessons if a trip/activity is in the school calendar. If this is not the case, teachers need at least one week’s notice to re-arrange a lesson otherwise it will be charged for. Students should be proactive, looking forward to upcoming commitments, and liaising with teachers as appropriate.
We currently have two categories of instrumental staff – those employed by the school and those working here who are self employed. For those employed by the school, you will need to pay the school for the lessons (details to follow).. For those staff who are self employed, you will pay them directly by bank transfer.
If a student wants to stop lessons:
Your teacher and the school must receive written notification (email) of this with half a term’s notice. Please note that a verbal agreement between peripatetic staff and students is not enough notification and has led to some difficult issues.
If you are not happy with any aspect of peripatetic lessons:
Contact the music administrator immediately and we will try to sort out any issues as quickly as possible. The best way to do that is email: musicadmin@bristolcathedral.org.uk
Concerts and Productions Information
Concerts & Productions
We have a thriving concert diary at Bristol Cathedral Choir School. There are regular opportunities for all students to perform, from small and informal concerts to public performances in large venues. In addition to hosting concerts and events in our on-site Cresswell Theatre, we regularly perform in venues across Bristol such as Bristol Cathedral, St George’s, Trinity Academy and Bristol Beacon.
A typical year may include events such as: Michaelmas Concert, Chamber Concert, Steel Pan Jamboree, Inter-House Competition, Pop & Rock Concert, Jazz Concert, Trailblazers Band Camp, as well as large-scale concerts at Christmas, Spring and Summer. We also stage a musical every other year bringing together numerous departments across the school and enhanced by professional sounds and lighting design. There is an annual gala concert where all schools in our Trust family take part, in collaboration with The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
