Woodhouse
Pre prep
Prep School
Music and Drama
Music plays a most important part in the life of the School. Over half the children in the school receive individual tuition in at least one instrument, and a wide range of instruments are played with both skill and enthusiasm. There are currently around 150 pupils learning instruments in the Prep School and another 35 learning violins in the Pre Prep.
Children are encouraged to play in the orchestra, brass or string groups, and there is also a jazz band and a rock band. There is a flourishing choir which sings at various in-house concerts and at external venues, including international tours in France and Germany. In addition there is a selected Chamber Choir which sings sacred repertoire and leads the carol service, plus a recently formed Parents’ Choir who sing alto tenor and bass at school concerts. Recent performances by the choir include ‘Adiemus’ by Karl Jenkins, Faure’s Requiem and ‘Phantom of the Opera’.
The Annual Pack Music Competition gives every young musician the chance to show what he or she can do and there are separate classes for each section of the orchestra. There are also regular Friday afternoon concerts with solo and ensemble performances.
All children receive music tuition within the normal school timetable. The musical course includes singing, simple composition and theory, and an aural introduction to music, both classical and modern.
We feel that it is particularly important that those who play and sing should hear and enjoy good 'live' music so we regularly play host to visiting musicians, and go to local concerts.
Drama is also part of the school timetable and every child will have at least one drama lesson each week. We are lucky to have fully equipped stage facilities in our Penryn Hall. There are a number of school plays over the course of the year and all children are encouraged to take part. The senior production is usually a major musical, and we have recently performed 'Bugsy Malone', ‘Oliver', ‘Joseph’ and ‘My Fair Lady’ but there are also workshop productions and junior plays each term.
As with music, we feel it important that children should visit the professional theatre and there are school trips to theatres at Stratford, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Ludlow, Worcester and Malvern to name a few. We are fortunate indeed to be situated in an area so well provided with opportunities to see professional drama and music of the highest standards.