Music – it is in Christ College Brecon’s DNA

From gutsy and rousing congregational singing in our chapel to inclusive weekly activities for all pupils, music has firmly established itself within Christ College Brecon’s DNA.

Everyone will have an involvement in music throughout their time at Christ College. Music making, and in particular singing, becomes an integral part of a Christ College pupil’s journey as they move through the school.

We believe that all pupils should have the opportunity to explore music and their own musical talents. 40% of our pupils take instrumental lessons at school and as well as hosting an annual competition to find the best singer and instrumentalist in the school, we have a 50-strong auditioned Chapel Choir involving boys and girls from Year 7 to Year 13, touring internationally every two years.

Throughout their time at Christ College, pupils will perform alongside their peers in several annual house singing competitions, which is always a highlight of the school calendar, performing in front of an audience of 700 people. Even those who have never sung a note of music before, or who have never experienced hymn singing at full throttle in the glorious acoustic of the Christ College Brecon Chapel, will leave the school knowing what it feels like to ‘raise the roof’, standing shoulder to shoulder with their friends and peers.

For the most talented musicians and for those hoping to pursue a career in music, there are many opportunities to develop skills under the tutelage of experienced and talented teachers and mentors, as well as through the support of our relationship with Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the expertise that they can bring. Several of our musicians have gone on to study at prestigious conservatoires in recent years, including the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. Several more have continued their studies in Music at University.

To help nurture their talents we have made our Music School easily accessible and open to pupils all hours for them to have a quiet area to pursue individual study. We also facilitate performances in the local community including lunchtime concerts at St Mary’s church, services at Brecon Cathedral three times a year and hosting concerts with other local schools.

Many Breconians will also experience learning a musical instrument, with the personal satisfaction that this can bring, as well as the enjoyment that it can give to others who listen. The Music department has an informal feel and pupils are encouraged to ‘have a go’, understanding that making mistakes and taking risks is an integral part of what we are about as musicians; it is how we become better at what we do. To encourage and support pupils wanting to learn an instrument or develop their skill further, we host inclusive weekly activities for children across the school including rehearsals for 12 individual ensembles. Selected senior musicians are also encouraged to perform in the band for the senior school’s stage musical productions and some will also represent their house in an ensemble for the fiercely contested annual house instrumental competitions, which are pupil-led.

At Christ College Brecon we are very proud to have a team of highly professional and exceptionally talented visiting instrumental music teachers who are keen to encourage and nurture young talent.

Most importantly, Breconians feel that music is ‘for them’ and that it is an integral part of what we do in our daily lives at school. They feel that it is not something for the select minority and that they are always welcome to come and partake in our activities, and should they wish to, have a go.