Junior School Music Ensembles

Big Choir

This is a group of about 160 boys who come together every Thursday morning to sing their hearts out! They sing a wide variety of music including pop, folk music, classical, show tunes and even rap! They perform in all the school concerts and carol services each year and also take part in the ‘Young Voices’ concerts bi-annually. The years when they are not singing in the Young Voices, they have a special event arranged just for them...

Micro Choir

This is an auditioned choir of about 35 boys who sing a far more demanding repertoire of choral music, often in several different parts. The standard is high and they are a definite highlight at all the Junior School events as well as Myton Hospice. They have also performed at the Royal Albert Hall, St Paul’s Cathedral and Coventry Cathedral among other venues.

Junior Orchestra

This is an invitational orchestra for boys who have shown consistent commitment to their instrument through practice and dedication to the music department and belong to several of the regular weekly ensembles. They play a range of classical, jazz and popular music and are a highlight at the termly Junior School concerts. Recently they were finalists at the National Music Festival at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham.

eSQuires

The eSQuires ensemble originally started off as a string quartet but in more recent years it has expanded or shrunk to accommodate the Junior School’s finest string players in a small chamber ensemble, well-equipped to stretch all players to their full potential. In the last two years they have been finalists in the Pro Corda Chamber Music Festival.

Rising Strings

An improvisation-focussed string group open to all string players, learning repertoire ‘by ear’ to develop their musicianship skills. They cover all styles of music from Classical to Folk, with a bit of Pop and Rock as well! They have even composed their own music to perform at the Junior School Concerts.

Dynamo Strings

This is a string orchestra which caters for any string player who has been playing for at least two terms on their instrument. The music is arranged especially so that all the players are stretched to their full potential whilst remaining suitable for their individual standard of playing. The boys love the powerful sound that a 40+ strong String Orchestra produces and it is a popular item on the School Concert programme with a repertoire of classical music, fun rounds, pop and jazz.

Dynamix

This string group only runs in the Summer term and is for boys who have made excellent progress on the Year 3 String Project or have recently started lessons on the violin, viola, ‘cello or double bass. This is the place to discover the fun of playing along with others!

Brass Monkeys

Brass Monkeys perform well known tunes in a friendly and inspiring environment. All musicians capable of performing five notes on their instrument and having a basic understanding of music notation are warmly welcome to join in the fun music making! We rehearse on Monday Mornings, 8am in the JS Music Classroom and this is open to pupils in Years 3-6.

All Stars

The All Stars is a wind band for the woodwind, brass and percussion families. This fun ensemble is for players who have been learning for about a year and are ready to start playing alongside other musicians. They play a wide variety of repertoire from original classics to super-hero themes. The percussion section is the largest in the whole school and they certainly make their presence known!

Junior Jazz

The Junior Jazz ensemble rehearses every week and learns well-known jazz tunes with a focus on improvising in a jazz style. The standard is high, so auditions are held in September; and it remains a very popular band. All pupils hoping to take part should speak to Miss Sharp

Junior Rock Bands

The Junior School is proud to have 3 Rock Bands learning repertoire from Elvis Presley to Bruno Mars, and everything else in between. Competition for places in the rock bands is fierce so auditions are held in September every year; all potential rockers should see Miss Sharp.

Theory Club 1 and 2

Theory Club is a weekly club for those students who are keen to develop their musicianship skills and have fun making music together. Activities vary each week but are based around the Associated Board Theory exams which pupils need to pass if they are to proceed past Grade 5 in the practical examinations.

Handbells

The Handbell group is for boys who already play an instrument and can read music to Grade 1 or 2 standard. They play a wide range of music and perform in most of the Junior School concerts and feature each year in the Junior School Carol Service at the Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick.

Guitar Group

The Guitar Group plays a wide variety of music and caters for both the intermediate and more advanced guitarists. In recent years the group has entered the Leamington Spa Competitive Festival and won Best Junior Guitar Ensemble. It is a wonderful opportunity for guitarists to discover the joy of playing in an ensemble.