Music

a picture of a student playing a violin

Music is hugely important here and girls have many opportunities from the moment they arrive at KEHS. The quality of music-making is often breathtaking.

There is a vast array of orchestras, choirs and ensembles, with weekly rehearsals taking place in preparation for regular concerts in the Ruddock Hall and Symphony Hall. Our three tiers of solo performance opportunities include Instrumental Evening, Performers’ Platforms and Lunchtime Recitals, showcasing our talented musicians. These are staged throughout the year in collaboration with KES. 

Another highlight is the annual residential weekend at Cleobury Mortimer, where our Choral Society and Symphony Orchestra prepare for their two major concerts in March. Recent performances have included Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique and Fauré’s Requiem.

We are proud to have many talented musicians who perform in local and national orchestras and choirs. Some of our pupils have even won prestigious awards on the international stage, such as Lauren Zhang, who won BBC Young Musician 2018.

In recent years, a selection of our dedicated performers have been on a foreign tour. In July 2024 our Chamber Choir and Chamber Orchestra will be touring Castilla y León Region in Spain.

Orchestras, choirs and ensembles

Concert Band

Concert Band

Concert Band is a senior ensemble playing a mixture of original symphonic wind orchestra works and some arrangements of popular/light music.

Wind Band

Wind Band

Wind Band is Concert Band's junior equivalent, mainly tackling arrangements suitable for intermediate players. Up to 100 players from the two bands combine in major performances to play more challenging music or provide an exciting finale to concerts.

Senior and Junior Swing Bands

Senior and Junior Swing Bands

The Senior and Junior Swing Bands play arrangements of ‘jazz standards’ and some original big band works – Glenn Miller numbers for example. They are a big hit, performing at local primary schools and in the enormously popular Jazz Evening held every summer. In the run-up to this, students hone their technique at workshops run by renowned jazz musicians such as Martin Williams and Joe Thompson.

KEHS Chamber Orchestra

KEHS Chamber Orchestra

Thirty of our top string players take part in the all-girl KEHS Chamber Orchestra, performing music from intermediate to advanced level. They relish the chance to play in lunchtime concerts, our termly concerts, and on the foreign tour.

Training String Orchestra

Training String Orchestra

Training String Orchestra develops our string players’ technique; most graduate to Concert Orchestra, which usually plays arrangements of orchestral classics and features in all our major concerts.

Joint Symphony Orchestra

Joint Symphony Orchestra

The most talented musicians progress to the 80-strong joint Symphony Orchestra, with KES, which plays standard orchestral repertoire to a stunning standard. The Symphony Orchestra have recently performed Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique.

Choirs

Choirs

There are two KEHS choirs: Chamber Choir, an ensemble of around 30 girls from Year 9 upwards which explores the exciting repertoire for female voices in three and four parts, and Lower School Choir, which involves around 60 Year 7-9 girls. Our choirs sing in all our major concerts.

Choral Society

Choral Society

Choral Society is a 100 strong four-part choir drawn from pupils and staff of both schools. This year the society has performed Fauré's Requiem.

Other Ensembles

Other Ensembles

There are also two Guitar Ensembles for players of varying abilities, a recorder ensemble and numerous chamber ensembles, all of which perform regularly.

Music Lessons

We offer individual tuition on a significant number of instruments. For Years 7 and 9 instrumental lessons are scheduled to ensure that girls never miss the same lesson more than once every 5 weeks. Older pupils have lessons outside academic hours. We have a dedicated team of 25 instrumental teachers at KEHS.

Associated Board Examinations are held during term time and girls can take examinations in school whether or not they have lessons here. There is also the opportunity to take remote examinations.

Co-curricular areas

Drama

Music

Sport

Clubs and Societies

Outdoor Pursuits

Trips

Care. Do. Give.

Where next?

Academic

Co-Curricular

Clubs and Societies

Search our site