Music is central to life at King’s High. Our aspiration is to foster creativity, excellence, inclusion, and community, so that every pupil will leave school with a continuing love for music in a variety of genres and styles.

This aspiration is supported by our talented music department; it does not matter whether a child has had any personal experience of music beforehand, or is already very advanced – we will help everyone at every stage to develop, nurture, and expand their love and appreciation for music. Taking part in the making of music, either informally at home, or by playing or singing in orchestras, choirs, ensembles, or stage shows, is something that expands our creativity, our communication, and our humanity. Whichever route our students choose to make music, we will help them to play or sing whatever they feel with confidence and joy.

State-of-the-art Music School

Our 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.

Groups

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
• Saxophone Ensemble
• Recorder Consort
• Bassoon Platoon
• Guitar Ensemble
• Harp Orchestra

Students are also actively encouraged to form their own groups and bands.

Together with The Kingsley School and Warwick School, we offer places in a variety of our Foundation Ensembles for girls of Grade 6 and above. The Foundation Chamber Choir is an auditioned choir for students at King's High and Warwick School. Students from across the Foundation come together in these large musical ensembles, collaborating in various concerts throughout the year to produce performances of the highest quality. Find out more about our Foundation ensembles here.

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.