s n o s s e L c i s u M
‘Without music, life would be a mistake’ Friedrich Nietzsche
Music at The Oratory There is rarely a quiet moment in the Music Department at The Oratory! In recent years we have built a considerable reputation for the quality and range of musical opportunities on offer. Our aim is to build a musical journey for every pupil in the school, whatever their level of musical ability or particular musical interest. There are rehearsals for ensembles every day of the week and individual lessons on instruments ranging from the piano to the bagpipes. The repertoire encountered by our boys encompasses everything from Plainsong to Punk. I hope that you enjoy discovering more about our Music Department.
We firmly believe that exposure to the highest quality music, of whatever genre, is the best way to enhance a musical education. The opportunities the Music Department provides are wide and richly varied, with highlights from recent years including:
Tours to New York and Hong Kong
A recording of choral music
Frequent concerts in London
A concert in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle as part of the Windsor Festival Spring Weekend
A vocal masterclass with celebrated baritone Colin Campbell
Visits to venues such as the Wigmore Hall and English National Opera
Music Lessons The process of choosing which instrument to learn can feel daunting but should be seen as the beginning of an exciting journey. Pupils are encouraged to embrace the opportunities available to explore different possibilities in the process of making that choice.
Learning an instrument should be a stimulating and extending experience, but of necessity it will involve daily preparation and commitment, so it is very important that the pupils feel they have chosen something they really do like the sound of and want to play. They will be spending a lot of time with their chosen instrument.
Many pupils start the process with piano lessons. There are good reasons for this route and the strong musical basis and mental discipline that the training affords, will be invaluable. That said, starting with the piano is certainly not the only option.
There is plenty more advice available, and pupils are welcome to have a taster session to allow them to make a decision. The Director of Music is always delighted to hear from boys who show an interest in learning an instrument.
What’s on Offer We offer tuition on the following instruments: Strings Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass Woodwind Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Saxophone, Bassoon Brass Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba Percussion Tuned percussion (Xylophone, Glockenspiel etc.) Drum kit We also offer lessons in piano, organ, singing, guitar (classical, electric and bass) and even the bagpipes. All lessons are taught by highly skilled professionals in one-on-one sessions.
Regular Rehearsal Schedule Monday 1.20pm Consort rehearse
4.45pm Schola Cantorum rehearse Tuesday
1.20pm Big Band rehearse
1.20pm String Group rehearse
Wednesday 1.20pm Third Form Music Scholars Thursday 1.20pm Brass Group rehearse
7.00pm Music events
Friday 1.20pm Consort rehearse
5.30pm Vespers and Benediction Sunday
10.10am Cantors rehearse
Music Peripatetics C Caiger Guitar T D Carleston Singing J Donnelly Drums and Percussion S L Dytor Violin S Ellison Oboe and Piano G Howarth Brass and Piano L M Ingram Chanter and Bagpipes C C King Drums and Percussion M Knowles Brass E V Krivenko Piano K E Laughton Saxophone and Flute E L Mallett Singing M J Nasidlak Piano J Patterson-Neild Woodwind R L Watson Cello
The Oratory School Woodcote, Near Reading, South Oxfordshire, RG8 0PJ oratory.co.uk