There is a huge number of music groups available for students at Sevenoaks, ranging from large, classical choirs and orchestras to jazz bands and many chamber groups.

Large ensembles

Any pupil in the Lower School and year 9 may join the Foundation Orchestra, regardless of orchestral instrument or standard.

Also open to all pupils, although usually the preserve of the Middle School, are the Windband and Sevenoaks Strings. These two groups target players of between grades 4 and 7 standard and once again, any pupil may join. There is also a flute choir for students of that instrument.

The Symphony Orchestra is by invitation. In practice almost any string player can be accommodated but people who are not on or above grade 6 may struggle to keep up. Wind players need to be a little more advanced and tend to be grade 7 or higher.

Click here to listen

Small ensembles

Sevenoaks School has an enviable record in chamber music competitions and has been represented in the finals concerts of the National Chamber Music Competition and the Pro Corda Festival for a very long time.

Many scholars take part in an advanced programme of study but there are also opportunities for other musically minded people who are willing to show commitment to this one-to-a-part music making.

Choirs

There are many forms of communal singing at Sevenoaks School.

All members of the Lower School are encouraged to sing both in class and in the Lower School Singers, which is a lunchtime club. The repertoire for this is usually on the lighter side. Keen youngsters join the Chamber Choir, which is run for approximately 30 students aged 12 to 14.

In the Middle School, pupils can opt to join the classically minded Choral Society, which has approximately 100 members between Y9 and the Upper Sixth. There is a thriving Gospel Choir and also barbershop groups and vocal ensembles, which focus on music of a popular style. Many students enjoy performing both styles of music.

The really keen singers are invited to join the Sennocke Consort, which is the school’s senior chamber choir. This choir numbers around 25 and members of this choir have undertaken trips to France, Belgium, Germany and Italy in recent years.

Jazz groups

The flagship school jazz group is the Big Band, which performs several times throughout the year. It also has spin-off groups, such as the Blues Brothers and the various saxophone ensembles. Many pupils learn jazz piano and saxophone. Many students form rock bands and these pupils regularly put on charity concerts which play to well over 300 pupils and raise over £1000 for charity each time. Staff also run open microphone sessions in which pupils can simply turn up and perform; they frequently perform their own compositions.