Music
The new Music School provides state-of-the-art facilities for the pupils of King’s High and Warwick Prep. Our musicians, aged from 3-18 years, have Conservatoire-style performance spaces. The high-tech, acoustically tuned building includes a stunning auditorium, rehearsal studio (including an organ from Birmingham Royal Conservatoire), two music classrooms, one keyboard suite running Cubase and Sibelius workstations, percussion studio, 14 practice rooms, a music library, and plenty of instrument storage.
Music is central to the life of King’s High and Warwick Prep. Our talented department supports music across all genres from ages 3-18, and fosters creativity, excellence, inclusion and community. It does not matter whether a child has had any experience of music beforehand or is already very advanced. We will help everyone at every stage develop, nurture and expand their love and appreciation of music so that they can play or sing whatever they feel with confidence and joy. Read more below and in our Inspire Music brochure below.
Vocal groups are usually organised by age, and membership of instrumental ensembles is determined roughly by standard of performance. We have a full team of specialist, peripatetic music staff who offer individual tuition on all main instruments. Lessons are timetabled during the school day. Extracurricular music activities are open to all and play an important part in the life of the school.
Our Musical Groups Include:
- Junior Choir
- Junior Chamber Choir
- Senior Chamber Choir
- King's Sinfonia
- King's Strings
- Big Brass Ensemble
- Percussion Ensemble
- Jazz Bands - Big Band (advanced), Bluetones (intermediate) and Bluejays (open to all)
- Songwriting and Music Technology Club
- Composition Club
- Rock Bands
- Theory and Aural Classes
Chamber music is also integral to the culture of music making at King's High. These ensembles include:
- Award-winning Baroque chamber ensembles
- MadriGals acapella ensemble
- String quartets
- Wind quartets
- Unity brass
- Flute Choirs
- Clarinet Ensembles
- Saxophoe Ensemble
- Recorder Consort
- Bassoon Platoon
- Guitar Ensemble
- Harp Orchestra
Girls are also actively encouraged to form their own groups and bands.
Together with Warwick School, we offer places in the Foundation Symphony Orchestra, Wind Band, String Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble for girls of Grade 6 and above standard. Foundation Chamber Choir is an auditioned choir for students at King's High and Warwick School.
Concerts
The department has a busy concert programme including major concerts and musicals, showcase recitals, informal tea time concerts, jazz rock and pop nights, annual Carol Services at St Mary’s Church, joint projects with Warwick School and Warwick Preparatory School and regular workshops and trips. The Inspire Music series schedules an event, workshop or concert every Thursday after school throughout the year.
Recent events and successes include:
- Pro Corda Chamber Champions
- National Wind Band Festival Award Winners
- Top prize winners in Local Festivals
Girls are also regular members of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain, National Schools Symphony Orchestra, National Youth Choir of Great Britain, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Youth Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Youth Chorus and Rodolfus Choir.