Music

We starting the day with a hearty singing of a hymn in Chapel, accompanied by the magnificent pipe organ. Every Saturday begins with hymn practice, ensuring pupils are familiar with the hymns for the week ahead and especially those for Sunday Service.

Over 80% of the pupils learn a musical instrument. Take-up has been particularly strong in the lower years, where almost every pupil learns an instrument. Singing lessons are popular too, and all of the Year 7 pupils in the Chapel Choir take individual singing lessons.

All pupils are given a timetabled music practice session of 30 minutes per day.

Music and drama is thriving, with senior productions of The Lion King, Matilda, and The Jungle Book in recent years. The seniors also stage an annual musical; this year it was Aladdin.

There are regular visitors to the school to work with and inspire the pupils, including prominent vocal coaches and senior school instrumental ensembles. The music department maintains strong links with feeder schools, recently hosting workshops with Shrewsbury School and Ampleforth College.

Our pupils go on to regularly win music scholarships to senior schools; recent awards were made to Fettes, Shrewsbury, Sedbergh, and Oundle.

Chapel Choir

Aysgarth is renowned for the strength of its Chapel Choir and pupils are as proud to wear the red ribbon of a chorister as any sports captain is to wear their cap or striped blazer. Our 30-strong auditioned choir is much in demand outside school. Recent performances have included choral evensong at Liverpool Cathedral, a lunchtime concert at Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral, and a memorial service in London.

We are especially proud that four of our pupils are currently choristers at Ripon Cathedral, a wonderful testament to their talent and dedication.

The Chapel Choir and Junior Choir perform annually at the Macmillan Ripon Cathedral Service, which helps to raise over £40,000 every year. Every two years, the Chapel Choir tours Northern France and Belgium, performing a concert in Ypres Cathedral and having the distinct honour of providing the musical accompaniment for the solemn and poignant Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate.

Music at the Pre-Prep

Individual music lessons for piano, keyboard, cello and recorder groups are taught by Mr Andrew Nelson in the Pre-Prep department. Mrs Evelyn Wilson also runs a Pre-Prep Choir one lunch time each week.

Lessons on other instruments are available from the Prep School. Creative elements in the curriculum also include: art, craft, dance and role play. Ballet is is offered as an after-school activity.