The Music Department is a thriving element of St George's. Music is taught to all pupils at Key Stage 3 and as an option at both GCSE and AS / A2 Level. There are currently three full-time staff: Tansy Castledine, Director of Music (Sept 2006), David Strange, Head of Strings (Sept 2007) and Joanna Marlow (Sept 2008). They are supported by Joanne Chahal (Part Music Administrator at both the College & Junior School), and a team of 30 visiting instrumental / voice specialists who visit the College on a weekly basis, giving 30 lessons a year per to pupils requesting them. 

Performance opportunities for pupils are numerous and varied, with a large number of ensembles rehearsing on a weekly basis many of which are coached by specialist tutors. Pupils are encouraged to participate in an ensemble as soon as they are able to, and many run their own groups and rehearsals. To support this, the College has an extensive concert schedule over the course of the year, ranging from Assemblies, music making in Chapel (such as Carol Services and Masses), community projects, the Informal and Rush-hour Concert Series, Inter House Music Competitions and major choral and orchestral concerts. In addition to this, the choirs regularly sing in cathedrals throughout England, and tour most years with the recent destinations being New York, Holland, Paris, and Belgium. Culture Club trips to London enable musicians to hear world-class orchestras, chamber musicians and opera companies, and the College regularly invites guest artists to the College to work with our pupils in masterclasses and workshops, most recently enjoying sessions with Ken Burton, the Harpham String Quartet, and the Zephyr Ensemble.

In recent years pupils have become members of the National Youth Orchestra, National Schools Symphony Orchestra, London School's Symphony Orchestra and Surrey Youth Orchestra. Past pupils have gained instrumental scholarships to the Royal College of Music, London, and Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, and two have been awarded Organ Scholarships to Cambridge. The majority of sixth form music pupils go onto to study music in higher education institutions.

The school is able to offer music scholarships each year and further details of these can be found here: Scholarships

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If you wish to contact the music department; 01932 839365 | tcastledine@st-georges-college.co.uk