Music

Alongside the Cathedral Choir, there are 5 school choirs, an orchestra and 15 chamber groups. As a result, almost every pupil participates in a choir or instrumental ensemble, while more than 80% learn at least one musical instrument. An impressive 50% of leavers at 13+ are awarded music scholarships to their next schools.

Learning music plays an important role in developing the growth mindset we foster at SPCS. Through deliberate practice, pupils learn the connection between effort and achievement. Performance opportunities help build confidence, resilience and self-belief, while also bringing great joy to both performers and audiences. We ensure that every musician has the chance to perform, whether at school, in St Paul’s Cathedral, or at exciting venues across London. With over 40 music events each year, including concerts, festivals, services and competitions, pupils benefit from a rich and vibrant musical life that is central to the SPCS experience.

SPCS offers tuition in all orchestral instruments, as well as piano, organ, singing, electric and acoustic guitar, drums and percussion. Our team of more than 20 highly experienced visiting music teachers combines outstanding teaching expertise with professional performing careers.

The Chamber Choir sing alongside the Cathedral choristers at least twice a year, at Cathedral services and the Lord Mayor’s Show. They are also invited to sing at livery companies including Goldsmiths’ Hall and at the British Australian Society Carol Concert.

The school’s second choir is the Bread Street Choir, who also perform at many events throughout the year: the choral festival, at the Ash Wednesday service in the Cathedral and various carol services for Livery companies in the City of London. Our third choir, Wrens, introduces juniors to singing harmony. They perform at the School Carol Service in the cathedral, the choral festival and usually at one external event each year.

Junior Choir, formed of Year 3 and 4 pupils, performs three times a year, and rehearses weekly. The Pre-prep pupils also have their own choir, rehearsing weekly and performing at assemblies and school concerts.

Our orchestra is made up of 30-35 players ranging from Grade 4-8. They perform twice a year, both in school and externally. Last year they performed at St Bart’s Great Hall and St Giles, Cripplegate. Recent repertoire has included: Danse Bacchanale – Saint-Saens;  Ballet from Petite Suite – Debussy; Excerpts from Nutcracker – Tchaikovsky; Finlandia – Sibelius.

Ensembles include our Senior Strings, Intermediate Strings, Junior Strings, Senior Brass Ensemble, Brass Band, Wind Band, Junior and