Music Department

Our classrooms are well-equipped, with one containing a class set of computers, and the other a set of keyboards. We have excellent practising and recording facilities, and offer instrumental and vocal lessons from visiting tutors. Extra-curricular activities include Orchestra, two choirs and Rock Band, together with numerous pupil-led ensembles.

On 22nd May the Studley High School Choir travelled to Harrow in North London to compete in the BBC Choir of the Year competition. Weeks of hard work had gone into our preparation. Extra rehearsals and fittings for choir uniform, not to mention the time spent on choreography and private practice, had raised our standard beyond all previous levels. We were proud of our work and looking forward to meeting the competition.
After a long trip down the motorway and a hack through the traffic around Wembley stadium we arrived shaken but not stirred at our venue and took our places. The event was introduced by Felicity Lott, one of the world’s greatest sopranos, who made everyone feel welcome and relaxed. There then followed a warm-up for everyone in the room and we started cranking ourselves into gear. The other choirs sounded astonishingly good—Harmony in Heels looked the part as well! - but we held onto our confidence. A last warm up and then we were on stage for a 7m 40s display of well-honed choral skillage.
The judges were harsh but fair on everyone. We took our share of criticism and some welcome praise. And then the result: through to the next round. Our recording will be listened to alongside all the other youth choirs that got through from all around the country and we stand a chance of getting picked for the Albert Hall and a Radio 3 broadcast in November. Studley singers on the map!

 Mr N Wiltshire