Co-curricular Music

Instrumental Groups and Choirs

At Harrodian, we aim to bring the magic of music to the widest possible audience. Members of many of the extra-curricular groups that are detailed below on this page are, where possible, selected according to ability rather than age. We bring a similar approach to our musical tours and to our Performing Arts collaborations with the Drama department. Our recent production of Legally Blonde for example featured a 60-strong cast aged 12-18 drawn both from Prep and Senior schools, our biggest orchestra ever and epic song and dance numbers throughout.

This cross-disciplinary approach contributes to the School’s special sense of community by allowing Harrodians to get to know and work with older and younger pupils who share the same interests and passions.

Jazz Band – (Upper Prep and Senior)

Harrodian School Jazz Band features some of our finest musical talent. The band is open to pupils from the 11s upwards who are at Grade 4 standard or above on their instrument. The band rehearses for an hour per week and performs regularly at School and external events.

Orchestra – (Prep and Senior)

Harrodian School Orchestra welcomes instrumental players of Grade 4 standard and above. Players are encouraged to develop a passion for orchestral music in a wide range of styles, from John Williams’ film scores to Grieg and Bizet!

Sixth Form Chamber Choir – (Sixth Form)

The Chamber Choir is an auditioned mixed group of approximately 15 singers (SATB) from both the Upper and Lower Sixth keen to tackle more challenging choral repertoire. Auditions take place in September of each year and full commitment is expected of members of this prestigious group. The choir performs regularly at concerts and events throughout the year.

Senior Choir – (Senior and Sixth Form)

Senior Choir is a non-auditioned, mixed ensemble open to all pupils in the 13s through to Sixth Form. The repertoire tends to be focused more towards popular music but we aim to develop skills in three and four part harmony through fun arrangements of well-known music. The choir rehearses during one lunch time each week and performs at termly concerts.

Senior Band Club (13s, 14s and 15s)

Run by Paul James and Adam Lamprell (both visiting guitar teachers), Band Club is open to all pupils in the 11s and 12s who would like to be a part of a band. Paul and Adam help to bring groups together and assists with songwriting. Many bands formed in this club go on to enter (and sometimes win) our prestigious annual Battle of the Bands competition.

Junior String Ensemble – (Pre-Prep and Prep)

Led by Lisa Hartley and Alison Holford (visiting violin and cello teachers), our junior ensemble is open to string players of all abilities and aims to develop basic ensemble playing skills through simple arrangements of fun pieces. Junior strings rehearse on Monday mornings before school and perform regularly in Prep and Pre-Prep assemblies and recitals.

Band Club (11s and 12s)

Run by Paul James (visiting guitar teacher) and Lewis Webb (visiting drum teacher), Band Club is open to all pupils in the 11s and 12s who would like to be a part of a band. Paul and Lewis help to bring groups together and assists with songwriting. Many bands formed in this club go on to enter (and sometimes win) our prestigious annual Battle of the Bands competition.

Training Choir - (11s and 12s)

The Training Choir is a non-auditioned, mixed group open to all pupils in the 11s and 12s. The choir sing in a range of styles from Bach to Shakira and the aim is to foster a love of group singing, developing skills in singing in parts. The Training Choir rehearses during one lunch time each week and performs in regular music assemblies and termly concerts.

10s Choir – (10s only)

This mixed group are introduced to two and three part singing through fun repertoire (recent songs have included music from ‘Matilda’ and ‘The Lion King’, as well as pop songs by The Killers) led by Mrs Ashe. Performances take place throughout the year but the group especially look forward to singing in their end of year Graduation Ceremony in July!

8s and 9s Choir – (8s and 9s)

This choir is open to all pupils in the 8s and 9s and we really do encourage everybody to come along and join in. In Choir, we sing a mix of repertoire, including songs from musicals and pop songs. Throughout the year we work towards multiple performances, which are a highlight of the calendar year!

Trips and Tours

There are trips throughout the year to see relevant concerts and musicals at venues like the Royal Festival Hall, Cadogan Hall, Barbican Centre. The Music department regularly takes a group of Upper Prep and Senior musicians on an international tour. Recent destinations have included the Rhineland (2022), Krakow (2019), Budapest (2018), Vienna (2016), Athens (2015), Barcelona (2013) and New York (2012).

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Battle of the Bands Competition

This highly popular event in the School calendar takes place every spring term serves as a focal point for the many Upper Prep and Senior musicians and singers at Harrodian who form their own bands and musical groups. In the past, winners have won themselves the opportunity to play at the Isle of Wight Festival.

Musical Drama

Harrodian music department collaborates with the Drama team to produce Performing Arts productions such as Legally Blonde (2022), The Addams Family (2020) and School of Rock (2018). To read how such collaboration worked on Legally Blonde please follow this link and to see more production pictures follow this one.

One to one music lessons

We are able to offer specialist extra-curricular tuition on the following instruments: voice, piano, violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, recorder, trumpet, trombone, French horn, guitar, bass guitar, percussion/drum kit and music theory. To apply for private lessons, please follow the link below.