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Co-Curricular

Music

The Music Department encourages an inclusive environment, where boys and girls of all ages and abilities are given the opportunity to perform in concerts and competitions both within school and further afield.

We have several performance venues on our doorstep, including the Creative Arts Centre, Y Neuadd Goffa: The Memorial Hall (opened September 2013) and the school chapel, with its fabulous acoustic for singing. Two or three performances each year, including the carol service, take place at Brecon Cathedral which is just a 10 minute walk away. The Theatr Brycheiniog, also in Brecon, is available as a versatile venue and further afield, Brangwyn Hall in Swansea and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff have also been used for large-scale works. In addition to these concerts, the department organises tours both nationally and internationally.

“Music is top-notch … and the singing in chapel has to be heard to be believed!”

The Good Schools Guide

Christ College allows for extensive provision of specialist individual teaching for instrumentalists and singers.

Currently about 40% of the school receive individual lessons within the department and 160 lessons are timetabled each week allowing for minimal disruption to the academic timetable. Lessons are available on piano, organ, violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, classical and electric guitar and singing. Individual theory lessons are also available for those needing to prepare for the ABRSM Grade 5 Theory examination.

There are 11 Visiting Instrumental Teachers, many of whom perform regularly in BBC and other professional orchestras and choirs; the 2 full time staff also teach a proportion of instrumental lessons. Pupils are encouraged to prepare for the examinations of either the ABRSM or Trinity College London and they are given opportunities to prepare themselves for performance through a series of informal Monday evening ‘Soundbites’ concerts that run throughout the year.

One only has to attend chapel to appreciate that there is a very strong culture of singing in the school. Every single pupil will find themselves on stage during the course of a year and there is a huge sense of pride on display in the annual House Singing Competition, which is one of the most fiercely contested whole school events that take place. Individual singing lessons are encouraged for those wanting to perform with one of the school choirs and at present there are about 30 pupils who take advantage of these lessons, offered by two specialist vocal coaches.

Several pupils have performed with high profile organisations outside of school in recent years, including the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, The National Youth Choir of Wales, the National Children’s Choir of Great Britain, The National Youth Orchestra of Wales and the National Schools Symphony Orchestra, the Claire Jones Harp Summer School and the American Youth Harp Ensemble.

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