Music

A thriving element of Downe House life

Music is at the heart of Downe House life. Our aim is to ensure that all students can thrive musically during their time at the school and our music provision focuses on providing musical opportunities for all students whilst also providing a platform to support our most advanced musicians with their musical journey. 

An exciting range of ensembles

There are an exciting range of musical ensembles on offer at Downe House, providing students with opportunities to rehearse and perform collaboratively with other musicians at the school each week throughout the school year.

We have a strong choral tradition at Downe House, with 4 large choirs: ‘Once Removed’ (a choir for all students in Remove), ‘In harmony’ (a choir for students in LIV-UIV, ‘Polyphonix’ (a non-auditioned choir for any students who enjoy singing in LV-UVI and an auditioned choir ‘Prima Voce’ for students in the sixth form.

Our Instrumental ensembles include Sinfonia, Symphony Orchestra and our most advanced instrumental ensemble – Chamber Orchestra as well as a Jazz Band and smaller chamber music groups. The school also runs a Minority Instrument Scheme annually to allow students the opportunity to learn an instrument that they are less familiar with.

We are also passionate about inspiring prep school pupils to pursue music, hosting events such as Orchestral Fun Days and our Prep Schools’ Choir of the Year Competition hosted at Cadogan Hall in 2019

The Department

The department has 6 full-time members of staff and 27 Visiting Music teachers who deliver over 400 music lessons each week. Students can have lessons on any orchestral instrument as well as voice, piano, organ, drum kit, orchestral percussion and guitar. 

Onsite we have facilities for every expression of music. This includes a dedicated music school with 16 practice rooms, a concert room, two academic teaching classrooms, a fully equipped recording studio, a music library and a range of performance venues culminating in our 250-seat auditorium and 500-seat Performing Arts Centre where our expert in-House AV Department facilitate the best possible performances. 

Music Performance

The Music department has a busy programme of concerts and events throughout the year ranging from large-scale performances such as the Michaelmas Concert and Carol Service in Kensington to our termly Music Award Holder solo recitals, Murray Music Moments (our lunchtime concert series) and annual competitions such as the Young Musician of the Year and House Music Competitions. We are also extremely fortunate to regularly work with the renowned musician Bob Chilcott who is the school’s Resident Composer.