Music at Donhead

Music is taught by specialist teachers at Donhead and plays a very important part in the life of the school.

Each term there is a Pre-Prep Concert and a Prep School Concert, which allow children to perform publicly at whatever level, both individually and as members of a group. Two different Christmas Nativity productions are performed by the Reception classes, and the Pre-Prep classes. In addition, an Inter-House Music Competition is held each year involving every member of the school. 

The following group musical opportunities are available:

Choirs:

There are three choirs at Donhead

• The Donhead Choir (Mrs. Curtis). This is an auditioned choir, selected from all boys in the Prep School (LP1 through to Elements) and it performs at the Carol Concert, Sacred Heart Masses, the Inter-House Music Competition and the Day of Celebration. This choir rehearses on Tuesday mornings from 8.00am-8.45am.
• The Senior Choir (Mrs. Curtis). This is open to all boys in the Prep School (LP1 through to Elements). It is not auditioned and is open to all boys who wish to join. This choir performs at School Concerts and School Assemblies through the year. Transfer between this choir and the Donhead Choir is sometimes possible. This choir rehearses on Mondays from 8.00am-8.45am.
• The Pre-Prep Choir (Miss Chan). This involves all boys in Pre-Prep 1 and Pre-Prep 2 and performs at School Concerts through the year. They will perform a mixture of full choir songs. The songs are rehearsed within the class lessons and the boys are brought together as a choir for some rehearsals a few weeks before concerts.

 Chamber Orchestra & Brass Band

• The Chamber Orchestra (Mrs. Curtis). The Chamber Orchestra rehearses on Wednesday mornings from 8:00am-8:45am. 
• The Brass Band (Mr. Beer). The Brass Band rehearses on Wednesday afternoons from 12:30pm-1pm.

There is also the opportunity of having individual tuition on the following instruments during school hours by a team of peripatetic teachers.

Piano, Tenor Horn, Baritone Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Cornet, Tuba, Clarinet, Flute, Recorder, Oboe, Violin, Singing and Classical Guitar. Electric Guitar is available to boys in Prep (year 5) upwards or at the discretion of the guitar teacher, if a boy wishes to start at an earlier age.

For further information please see the ‘Individual Instrumental Tuition at Donhead’ leaflet/application form which is available on the website (go to: Donhead Community, then Extra Curricular Activities).