Co-Curricular: Music at Whitgift

Updated: Fri 25 Jan 2013  

Whitgift's vibrant, cosmopolitan location, set in some of the most beautiful grounds in Surrey and housed in buildings rich in cultural heritage, creates the perfect environment for this first-class music department which is one of the best-equipped in the country, with an impressive Concert Hall. There is inspirational classroom and instrumental teaching.

Academic achievement is outstanding; many students go on to study music at a Conservatoire or a University and Choral Scholarships are regularly won to Oxford and Cambridge colleges.

With regular visits from distinguished musicians – such as Sir James Galway, Tasmin Little, Sir Willard White CBE, the Maggini String Quartet and Remus Azoitei - we aim to provide all pupils with a unique and exciting musical education.

There is a personalised programme for all prospective music scholars including individual visits and invitations to special events throughout the year.

Regular concerts take place in major London venues, such as The Royal Albert Hall, The Royal Festival Hall, St John's Smith Square, Westminster Central Hall, Southwark Cathedral and Cadogan Hall; other important venues include Goodwood House, The Royal Pavilion Brighton and Addington Palace as well as regular performances in Croydon's own Fairfield Halls.

Numerous orchestras, ensembles and choral groups exist for all levels of ability with all new boys to the First Form (who don’t already play an orchestral instrument) offered a free taster term of instrumental or vocal lessons.

The Whitgift Chamber Orchestra brings together young musicians from schools across South London, offering exciting high-level performance opportunities in partnership with professional musicians.

A major link exists with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra bringing additional performance opportunities, master classes and other important links.

The Orchestra and Choirs tour regularly, visiting countries such as Japan, Spain, Germany, Hungary, Romania and Italy.

Whitgift musicians have gone on to become Oxbridge Choral scholars, professional musicians and notable composers, the most distinguished being the acclaimed young composer, Tarik O'Regan.

Whitgift offers a large number of Music Scholarships – up to 50% of fees, or up to 100% in conjunction with a bursary.