MUSIC
A Concert Hall, Recital Rooms, Practice Rooms,
LIVE ROCK ROOMS, A VOCAL BOOTH and more
The school is well-known for its musical excellence and music is embedded in the school’s wider culture and ethos. The facilities offered through the Music School are outstanding, with a concert hall, recital rooms, practice rooms, live rock rooms, a vocal booth and a cathedral-proportioned chapel.
We deliver over 400 one-to-one music lessons each week with everything from singing to the drum kit on offer! Our pupils have a choice of 19 different choirs and bands they can join.
Music Brochure 2023-2024
The Music Department at RHS
Music at RHS
Music forms part of the Lower School curriculum and is offered as an academic subject at both GCSE and A Level. Over 400 pupils learn to play at least one instrument and there is an orchestra, 80-strong chapel choir, chamber choir, ceremonial marching band, concert band, big band and numerous ensembles, including many rock and pop groups. As a result of the school's unique naval heritage and royal connections, the band and choir have had opportunities to perform with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall, before international rugby matches at Twickenham and at St Paul’s Cathedral and St James’ Palace.
Facilities
The state-of-the-art Music School
The Burns Recital Hall - a fully equipped concert venue seating 250 and housing two new grand pianos: a fine Bechstein and an outstanding Fazioli (one of only 110 made annually) as well as a full selection of orchestral percussion
- Three classrooms, including a keyboard laboratory
- 15 specialist instrumental teaching rooms
- Well-stocked department library with a new practice pipe organ
- A fleet of Bechstein pianos
- Two live rock rooms and a vocal booth
Chapel
- Magnificent 1930s chapel, seating well over 1300, with an impressive eight second acoustic
- Legendary Grand Organ, a 4-manual Romantic instrument of unrivalled power and a smaller Classical Organ for choral accompaniment
"Music gives a soul to the universe. Wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything."
~ Plato
Music News
![Music Programme]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1694516437/royalhospitalschoolorg/ootstcviu452j4ao2unn/September2023-July2024.svg","width":600}])
Last year’s programme was jam-packed with some incredible performances from talented musicians, and this year is proving to be no different!
![Gig Night III]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1690360903/royalhospitalschoolorg/p3gogahzqdsugccigomk/8.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1690360903/royalhospitalschoolorg/p3gogahzqdsugccigomk/8.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1690360903/royalhospitalschoolorg/p3gogahzqdsugccigomk/8.png","width":600}])
🎶 At the end of what was a very busy musical half term, Gig Night III was an evening of immense talent and fun. Pupils from across the school, accompanied by live bands, the big band and the string ensemble, performed music in a variety of styles.
partnership
RHS maintains a place at the forefront of music making in the community.
CONCERTS
We welcome many world-leading musicians as part of our annual concert series, creating many opportunities for our pupils and visitors to learn from the best.
SINGING PROJECT
RHS hosts Sing Up! Suffolk, an annual singing day for hundreds of local children - an unforgettable and transformative experience guaranteed to revolutionise and invigorate young people’s attitudes to their own voices.
NOTES & NIBBLES
Highly popular series of lunchtime recitals given by RHS musicians for local audiences, with buffet lunch. We also hold a couple of evening recitals (Nocturnal Notes and Nibbles) complete with drinks and canapés.
ORGANISTS’ ASSOCIATION OF EAST ANGLIA & RCO
RHS collaborates enthusiastically with the Organists’ Associations and the Royal College of Organists, inviting many visitors to play our superb Grand Organ and hosting recitals and masterclasses with internationally acclaimed performers. We are proud to be the first school accredited by the RCO under its new Institutional Accreditation scheme. It acknowledges the first-rate provision for organ teaching at the school.
HOLBROOK CHORAL SOCIETY
RHS has a longstanding association with the Holbrook Choral Society, a large and dedicated group of singers from Holbrook and further afield that sings two major annual concerts in the chapel. Recent performances have included Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius, Mozart’s Requiem and Handel’s Messiah.
THE RICH TRADITION OF OUR MUSIC-MAKING IS SOMETHING WE ARE RIGHTLY PROUD OF. PLEASE FIND THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND SEE US IN ACTION AND MEET THE TEAM OF DEDICATED AND TALENTED MUSICIANS THAT WORK AND STUDY HERE. WE ARE CERTAIN THAT YOU WILL BE IMPRESSED BY THE BREADTH OF OUR PROGRAMME AND FEEL CONFIDENT TO ENTRUST THE MUSICAL EDUCATION OF YOUR CHILDREN TO US HERE AT THE ROYAL HOSPITAL SCHOOLEdward Allen, Director of Music
Music Scholarships
Music Scholarships are awarded annually to pupils who demonstrate real potential in their music making. Prospective candidates are encouraged to visit the school informally and meet the Director of Music, from whom further information is available.
MUSIC STAFF AT RHS
We have a talented team of permanent staff and a huge number of specialist visiting music teachers.
Director of Music – Edward Allen
Bandmaster and Teacher of Music – Lizzie Merrell
Assistant Head (Co-curricular) and Teacher of Music - Brian Martineau
School Organist - David Poulter
Administrator – Claire Woods
CONTACT US
Admissions: 01473 326136 or admissions@royalhospitalschool.org
Music School: 01473 326222 or music@royalhospitalschool.org
Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2RX
Twitter @RHS_music