Music Calendar - Lent Term 2023

Music Events

Welcome to Music,

Lent Term 2023

It’s another busy term with a wide variety of musical experiences on offer at Clifton. January starts with the Year 5 production of Shrek - great fun guaranteed - shortly followed by two very different but equally outstanding recitals from Upper School pupils: Ruby with her amazingly soulful pop voice, and Sophie’s dazzling violin playing.

The annual Band Night on 27th January in the Redgrave Theatre is a relaxed but high-quality evening of entertainment from our pop musicians, while on March 14th Prep and Upper School choirs combine, together with full orchestra, in a programme including John Rutter’s high-energy ‘Feel the Spirit’ - an occasion not to be missed. There are many other wonderful solo and ensemble concerts in both Upper and Prep schools too - I hope to see you at one of these events soon!

Dan Robson Director of Music

Prep - Shrek Jr The Musical

Thursday 19th and Friday 20th January - 7.00pm - 8.15pm

Redgrave Theatre, Percival Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LE

Come and see our Year 5s perform Shrek Jr The Musical. A fun-filled family show guaranteed to make you laugh!

Upper - Advanced Performance Platform: Ruby Mardall (voice) WT and friends

Thursday 19th January - 7.00pm - 8.00pm

The Crypt: Located under College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ

Ruby has a sensational voice and will be treating us to a mixture of her own songs and some by well-known artists. She will be collaborating with other instrumentalists and singers - not to be missed as sadly this is her last year at Clifton!

Free to attend

Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff

Free to attend Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff

Upper - Bristol Cathedral Recital: Sophie Chung (violin) HH

Tuesday 24th January - 1.15pm - 2.00pm Bristol Cathedral, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TJ

Wonderful young violinist Sophie Chung will be performing at Bristol Cathedral as part of their Tuesday lunchtime recital series, together with accompanist Mr Drinkwater. A fantastic way to spend the lunch break if you are able to make it down there.

Upper - Band Night

Free to attend

The concert is open to the general public - everyone is welcome.

Friday 27th January - 7.30pm - 9.30pm Redgrave Theatre, Percival Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LE

An evening of Pop, Rock and Electro music - expect a real mix of songs from our fantastic Clifton Bands, including the Soul Band.

Free to attend Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff

Prep - Informal Concert

Prep - Anne Guy Concert and Dinner

Tuesday 31st January - 4.15pm - 5.15pm

Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE

Children from Year 4 to Year 8 of varying ages and experience perform to friends and family - expect a wide variety of genres and instruments!

Monday 6th February - 6.30pm - 9.00pm

Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE

This evening of Music is performed by our talented Year 7 & 8 Music Scholars. In memory of the school governor who widely supported the music development in the Prep school.

Free to attend

Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff

By invitation only

Upper - Spotlight Concert

Prep - Informal Concert

Friday 3rd March - 5.30pm - 6.30pm

Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ

A concert which always has a really varied programmeinstrumental and vocal soloists share the stage with chamber ensembles and groups.

Tuesday 7th March - 4.15pm - 5.15pm Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE

An opportunity for children from Year 4 to Year 8 of all ages and experience to perform - expect a wide variety of genres and instruments!

Free to attend

Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff

Free to attend

Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff

Upper - Joseph Cooper Concert

Prep & Upper - Joint Choirs Concert

Wednesday 8th March - 7.30pm - 9.00pm

Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ

The term’s showcase concert for the Orchestra and other ensembles large and small. Expect upbeat numbers from the Concert Band, offerings from our top chamber ensembles and groups such as Sax Ensemble, Brass Ensemble and many others.

Tuesday 14th March - 7.00pm - 8.00pm

Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ

A thrilling evening of music with the combined forces of the Prep and Upper School Choirs and a full orchestra. Last year we enjoyed Karl Jenkins’ ‘Armed Man Mass’, and this year’s celebratory ‘Feel The Spirit’ by John Rutter promises to be just as wonderful.

Free to attend

Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff

Free to attend Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff

Prep - Spring Concert

Upper - Choral Congers

Tuesday 21st March - 6.30pm - 8.00pm

Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE

An opportunity for all our Ensembles to perform a wide range of music - String, Brass, Guitar and Wind Ensembles as well as Orchestra, Swing Band, Junior Choir and Pop Groups.

Wednesday 22nd March - 7.00pm - 8.00pm

Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ

A big sing-along for Upper School pupils with the Soul Band - the perfect way to relax at the end of a busy term!

Free to attend

Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff

Pupils and staff only

Upcoming House Recitals

Our early morning recital series is a wonderful way to start the day! Come and hear 20 minutes of music from a talented upper school musician - could be any age or instrument, but they are always most enjoyable.

• 26th January 8.20am - Lara Foster (voice) WT - Joseph Cooper School

• 9th February 8.20am - Georgie Lewis (cello) & Sophie Chung (piano) HH - Joseph Cooper School

• 23rd February 8.20am - Emily Yoo (viola) & Nico Zhang (guitar/piano) WoH - Joseph Cooper School

• 2nd March 8.20am - Terry Song (voice) & Charlie Read (guitar) ET - Joseph Cooper School

• 16th March 8.20am - Alice Harrington (horn) & Sophie Turner (saxophone) OH - Joseph Cooper School

Free to attend

Open to all parents, students and staff

Music Scholarships 11+, 13+ and 16+

Clifton College has a strong musical tradition, and the study of music is an integral part of the curriculum.

We offer pupils a unique opportunity to achieve academic distinction and personal excellence. Each year, we offer a number of Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries to individuals with that spark of potential. Talented musicians are encouraged to apply for a Music Scholarship whatever their instrument.

There are scholarships at 11+ for entry into Year 7, 13+ for entry into Year 9 and at 16+ for entry into Year 12. These scholarships are merit based and competed for via examination, audition or other appropriate assessment. The Scholarship programme aims to enable pupils to pursue music to as high a level as they wish. Some will look to study music beyond Clifton and aim to go into the music profession, whereas for others it is a wonderful way to relax and achieve something of real value alongside their academic studies. We look to help all musicians individually achieve their goals, whatever they might be.

Previous Music Scholars have gone on to study music at Oxford, Cambridge, Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music and other conservatoires; others have been members of award-winning close harmony groups and recorded their own albums.

Find out more information at: www.cliftoncollege.com/upper/admissions or please contact: Mr Daniel Robson, Director of Music drobson@cliftoncollege.com / 0117 3157 247

Sir David Willcocks Organ Scholarship 16+

In 2012, Sir David Willcocks announced his generous commitment to a new sixth-form organ scholarship in his name at Clifton College. A partnership with Bristol Cathedral was established to augment the role, and the inaugural Willcocks Scholar was appointed in 2013. Holders since then have won organ scholarship places at several Oxbridge colleges as well as at Hereford Cathedral.

A 32-foot extension of the Pedal Ophicleide reed at Clifton College was installed in autumn 2017, and a CD recorded by Regent Records of the College choirs with pupil organists and brass was recorded in 2018 to celebrate this addition.

This 16+ post is for a sixth-form entrant, running for two years. Candidates may also jointly apply for the 16+ academic scholarships. The successful candidate will receive support from the Sir David Willcocks Trust as well as the opportunity to apply for generous means-tested funding towards either a boarding or day pupil place, which could be as much as 100% of fees and free instrumental lessons. Find out more information at www.cliftoncollege.com/upper/ admissions or please contact: Mr Daniel Robson, Director of Music, Clifton College: drobson@cliftoncollege.com / 0117 3157 247

Directions to Venues

Prep Music Department: Top Floor of Merry House, Clifton College Preparatory School, The Avenue, Clifton, BS8 3HE

Prep Hall: Clifton College Preparatory School, accessible from the Avenue, Clifton, BS8 3HE

Chapel: Access to Chapel either through Memorial Arch, opposite 32 College Road BS8 3HJ or from Reception on Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ

Joseph Cooper School: Located on Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET

The Crypt: Located underneath the Clifton College Chapel, accessible from the Sports Field side

On street parking is available for free after 5pm.