Music
Music is at the heart of life at Aysgarth. It is a subject that is exceptionally popular, and the School enjoys starting the day with a hearty singing of a hymn in Chapel, accompanied by the magnificent pipe organ.
Every Saturday begins with CONGO – congregational hymn practice – ensuring that pupils are familiar with the hymns for the week ahead, and especially those for Sunday Service. The result is rousing hymn singing that frequently threatens to lift the Chapel roof. Our choir consistently succeeds in bringing smiles to the faces of all attendees, evoking goosebumps with their wonderful singing.
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 daily music practice session of 30 minutes.
Music 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 well-known vocal coaches and senior school instrumental ensembles. The department maintains strong links with feeder schools, recently hosting music workshops with Shrewsbury School and Ampleforth College.
Pupils 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.
Arts 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. Lessons on other instruments are available from the Prep School.
Mrs Evelyn Wilson runs a Pre-Prep Choir one lunch time each week.
Creative elements in the curriculum also include: art, craft, dance and role play. Ballet is is offered as an after-school activity.
