Music

Felsted's state-of-the-art Music School opened in September 2008 and is located on the Senior School site. Designed by Nicholas Hare and built by Jerram Faulkes, it comprises a large recital hall with room for an audience of more than 150, a recording studio, percussion suite, a dedicated drum room and two classrooms, as well as 13 teaching and practice rooms. It is also home to a Steinway Model B Grand Piano. The Prep School also has dedicated Music facilities, with practise rooms and music classrooms available.

Our musicians regularly receive opportunities to perform, including the wonderful annual 'Swing into Spring' event which includes many of our Prep and Senior musicians and staff. In the Prep School, concerts are held every year for each year group, allowing children to get used to performing in front of an audience.

Senior School events include the Vocal Concert, Strings Concert, Scholars Concert and Summer Concert. There are also weekly Breaktime Recitals.

Our musicians also get out and about - recent external performances have included:

• Singing Evensong in Chelmsford Cathedral and local churches in Essex 
• Chapel Choirs singing for Church Services in the local area
• Felsted's 450th Anniversary Service at St Paul's
• Felsted's 450th Anniversary - Royal Visit
• Recording film soundtrack music at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London
• The Jazz Band performing at a local prep school
• Jazz & Steel Band playing at Chelmsford Cathedral
• Jazz Band, String Quartet and Steel Bands performing at Music for Youth Festival

Musical ensembles flourish at Felsted and include an Orchestra, String Group, Wind Group, Jazz Band, Steel Bands, Senior Chapel Choir and chamber groups including string quartets, piano trios, jazz combos and many more. All of these ensembles have regular opportunities to perform to the School as well as wider audiences in a calendar of musical concerts and competitions and solo performances are also encouraged.

As well as providing regular music for chapel services, our Senior Chapel Choir contributes to concerts each term performing a mixed repertoire of sacred and secular works, as well as singing for services in local churches.

Felsted's Orchestra is a full-sized orchestra, which takes on major works for termly concerts. Recent performances have included standard orchestral repertoire, plus music from stage and screen.

Our Jazz Band is a full Big Band which plays jazz in many different styles. In the past pupils have had professional coaching from the renowned British jazz musician, Django Bates and Tony Micelli. Recent visitors to the school include internationally renowned jazz pianist Jason Rebello and the Prince Consort.

Chamber and Solo Performance are encouraged and there are many opportunities for pupils to perform. Chamber ensembles are flexible and depend on the players we have in the school, but recently have included string quartets, piano trios, brass ensemble, flute choir and saxophone quartet. 

We offer individual lessons on the following instruments with specialist professional tutors:

Stewart House pupils discover sound through percussion and singing in class music lessons.

Pupils are recommended to begin individual instrumental lessons in Year 1 or 2. Taster sessions are provided to help with choice.

Year 1 pupils can join the Stewart House Choir and Year 2 pupils can join Recorder Club.

Two concerts are performed every year, in which all participate. Some pupils give solos.

Singing is used as a technique for learning times tables and improving memory, and pupils take part in a league singing performance each year.

All pupils learn to play a stringed instrument in class music lessons, with singing a part of curriculum lessons.

Pupils may join the Junior Orchestra, which teaches teamwork and improves skills.

Instrumental lessons are available to all, with taster sessions to help choice. Felsted Prep has its own Music School and suite of practice and performance rooms.

All pupils sing in the Full Choir and take part in the much love "League Music" singing competition. Selected children may join the Chamber Choir and/or Chapel Choir.

A concert is performed every term, in which all participate.

All pupils in Cloisters try out brass instruments and can join the beginners Brass Band.

A full range of individual instrumental tuition is offered on site from a team of highly experienced professional musicians. Felsted Prep has its own Music School and suite of practice and performance rooms.

In class music lessons, pupils focus on composing and performing. Pupils study Film Music, African and Latin-American percussion and create electronic composition using chromebooks. Pupils learn the ukulele, and compose and perform songs from genres including The Blues and Pop music.

All pupils sing in the Full Choir and take part in the much love "League Music" singing competition. Talented voices are selected for Chapel Choir, which gives an introduction to formal services and builds repertoire. Pupils can also join the pop choir that performs biennially at the O2 arena in London.

Music Scholarships and the unique Junior Guildhall/Felsted Music Scholarships are available for entry into Year 7, offering an outstanding musical pathway for talented pupils.

Courtauld House has its own Orchestra, Jazz Band, Steel Bands, Percussion Group and String Ensemble, and pupils are encouraged to form their own bands and groups.

A full range of individual instrumental tuition is offered on site from a team of highly experienced professional musicians. Felsted Prep has its own Music School and suite of practice and performance rooms.

Advanced Years 7 and 8 musicians may join the Senior School Orchestra, with many getting involved in Senior School concerts also.

In class music lessons, pupils focus on composing and performing. Pupils study Film Music, African and Latin-American percussion and create electronic composition using iPads. Pupils learn the ukulele, and compose and perform songs from genres including The Blues and Pop music.

All pupils sing in the Full Choir and take part in the much love "League Music" singing competition. Talented voices are selected for Chapel Choir, which gives an introduction to formal services and builds repertoire. Pupils can also join the pop choir that performs biennially at the O2 arena in London.

Music Scholarships and the unique Junior Guildhall/Felsted Music Scholarships are available for entry into Year 7, offering an outstanding musical pathway for talented pupils.

Music Scholarships and the Junior Guildhall/Felsted Music Scholarships are available for entry into Year 9 and 12, offering an outstanding musical pathway for talented pupils.

Music can be studied at GCSE Level, A Level and as part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Instrumental playing and performance is a component of coursework.

A full range of individual instrumental tuition is offered onsite by a team of highly qualified professional musicians. All this takes place in our state-of-the-art Music School, with auditorium, practice rooms, classrooms, percussion rooms and a recording studio.

Pupils may join the School Orchestra, Senior Chapel Choir, Wind Group, Jazz Band, Funk Band and various chamber ensembles, and take part in regular concerts. Students may also participate in drama performances and shows, with opportunities for soloists.

All pupils take part in our much loved House Singing Competition, more commonly known as "House Shout‟.