Music
Bancroft's offers all pupils a broad range of musical experience through their lessons in the first two years of the school; this includes composing, performing and listening to both classical and popular music. Pupils higher up the school can opt to continue studying music to GCSE and A Level.
There is a full programme of co-curricular activities, including orchestras, choirs, bands and many smaller ensembles. In addition to these, pupils organise their own groups to perform popular music.
“Being a musician who enjoys playing many genres, it’s amazing to have the chance to play diverse music, dabbling in genres I never thought I would play; the teachers are always willing to listen to new ideas, and the standard of playing at concerts is always excellent across the cohort of students, with opportunities offered at every stage of the school.”
Siobhan, Lower Sixth (year 12)
The music department occupies the Stave, with a large rehearsal space, teaching rooms and individual practice rooms and a technology area for recording and computer work, which is carried out on a suite of Apple Macs. Instrumental and vocal tuition is available each week from a large, dedicated and experienced team of visiting staff. We hold regular masterclasses led by visiting professional music practitioners.
We hold regular concerts, both formal and informal, at school and externally in the locality and in London, and put on musicals in collaboration with the Bancroft’s Players. The highlight of the musical year is the annual concert held at in the opulent surroundings of the Drapers’ Hall in the City of London. All groups perform in at least one concert per year and there are opportunities for soloists to perform regularly. Pupils also participate in House music events, which are often organised by senior pupils; these include house assemblies, family evenings and the annual Interhouse Performing Arts Competition.
Watch our lockdown orchestra virtual performance of The Pirates of the Caribbean theme music:
Our L4 music group have produced this lockdown version of the Dr Who theme as part of their study of film music: