Welcome to Music, Michaelmas Term 2023

The Michaelmas term perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Music at Clifton; exams are far-off and our pupils throw themselves into events which range from small scale recitals to huge productions and concerts.

There are many events which are not to be missed including the Visiting Music Teachers’ Concert, the annual Upper Musical (this year Oklahoma!) And highly recommended is one of the big end of term concerts with full orchestra and other ensembles. Not forgetting the glorious atmosphere of a Chapel Service: from the Pre-Prep Nativities, the Christmas Carol Services, and the candlelit Cross-College Advent Service, which are all at the very heart of a traditional British Christmas.

We hope to see you at an event soon!

James Drinkwater, Director of Music (Upper)

Julian Edgell, Director of Music (Prep)

Pip Gillam, Assistant Head (Pre-Prep), Head of Music (Pre-Prep)

Prep and Pre-Prep - Music Open Evening

Upper - Tuesday Arts Club: Visiting Music Teachers’ Concert

Thursday 14th September - 4.00pm-6.00pm

Prep Music department, Merry House, BS8 3HE

A chance for parents and pupils from year 2-8 to meet a selection of our Visiting Music Teachers, this is an opportunity for pupils to try out a variety of instruments to see if they would like to start learning.

Tuesday 26th September - 6.00pm-7.00pm

Joseph Cooper Music School, Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET

We have many fantastic professional musicians teaching instruments and singing at Clifton - please come and hear them perform at the start of term in what promises to be a most enjoyable and varied evening of music!

Free to attend - booking necessary

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Upper - Open Mic Night

Thursday 5th October - 7.00pm-8.30pm

The Crypt, located underneath the College Chapel

A relaxed evening in the atmospheric Crypt, with singers and band musicians offering a range of contemporary songs. Always a fun night with a few unexpected offerings!

Prep - Informal Concert

Tuesday 10th October - 4.15pm-5.15pm

Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE

The first Informal Concert of the term! Pupils from Year 4 to Year 8 of varying ages and experiences perform to friends and familyexpect a wide variety of genres and instruments.

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Upper - House Part Song Competition

Upper - House Unison Song Competition

Tuesday 17th October - 5.15pm-6.15pm

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

The annual House Song festival has two fiercely contested elements - first is the Part Song Competition where groups of talented singers from each house perform a cappella arrangements of songs of their choice.

Tuesday 17th October - 7.45pm-9.30pm

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

Every pupil in the Upper School takes to the stage to perform in the most exciting house competition of the year - it’s the event everyone is waiting for!

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Closed event

Open to pupils and staff only

Pre-Prep - Harvest Celebration

Wednesday 18th October - 3.15pm-3.50pm

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

An opportunity for our Pre-Prep community to join together in Chapel to sing and celebrate Harvest.

Upper - Advanced Performance Platform: Junior Scholars (+ Art Scholars’ work in the Foyer)

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Friday 3rd November - 5.30pm-7.00pm

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

Our talented music scholars in years 9, 10 and 11 will perform as soloists and in small chamber ensembles in the wonderful setting of the Chapel.

There will also be an art display in the East Cloister with works provided by Junior Art Scholars.

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Prep - Informal Concert

Tuesday 7th November - 4.15pm-5.15pm

Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE

Our second Informal Concert of the term. Pupils from Year 4 to Year 8 of varying ages and experiences perform to friends and family - expect a wide variety of genres and instruments.

Upper - Annual Production: Oklahoma!

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Wednesday 8th November - Saturday 11th November

7.30pm-9.45pm

The Redgrave Theatre, Percival Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LE

A dazzling full-scale production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s much-loved show, recently revived to great acclaim in London’s West End. Come and enjoy Clifton’s wonderful re-interpretation with our most talented musical theatre pupils, backed by a live orchestra!

Ticketed event

Open to pupils, staff and parents only. Tickets should be reserved through the Redgrave Theatre box office where it will be listed as a private event: https://redgravetheatre.com/

Pre-Prep - Informal Concert

Wednesday 15th November - 4.15pm-5.00pm

Pre-Prep Hall, Butcombe House, The Avenue, Clifton BS8 3EZ

The first ever Pre-Prep Informal concert! Pupils from Year 2 and Year 3 of varying experiences perform to friends and family.

Upper - Autumn Concert

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Wednesday 15th November - 7.30pm-9.15pm

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

The term’s major orchestral and ensemble concert will see our top groups performing a wide range of music, including John Williams’ ‘Star Wars’.

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Prep - House Song

Thursday 16th November - 2.00pm-4.00pm

Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE

The annual colourful occasion with each House performing a song of their choice, conducted by their HoM and backed by our in-house band.

Prep - Autumn Concert

Because of the limitations of space, we regret that the House Song competition is for pupils and staff only.

Tuesday 21st November - 6.30pm-8.00pm

Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE

Come and see what our Music Groups have been working towards all term!

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

Closed event

Open to pupils and staff only, a recording will be available shortly afterwards for parents to view

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Upper - Jazz in The Crypt

Thursday 23rd November - 7.00pm-8.30pm

The Crypt, located underneath the College Chapel

A varied programme of Jazz and contemporary music in the relaxed setting of the Crypt.

The College has a number of superb jazz and pop musicians on the staff and performances involving them and our talented pupils are always superb.

Upper - Advent Carol Service

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Friday 24th November - 6.00pm-7.00pm

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

A beautiful service which begins with the spreading of candlelight throughout the Chapel.

There will be traditional readings and carols both ancient and modern - please join us for this highlight of the year.

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Prep and Pre-Prep - Clifton College Eisteddfod

Prep - Rotary Club Musical Entertainment

Saturday 25th November - 9.30am-4.00pm

Joseph Cooper Music School, Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET

Known as a celebration of music, the Eisteddfod is set in front of an audience and an external adjudicator.

Pupils of all ages and abilities from Year 2 upwards are welcome to participate.

Wednesday 29th November - 6.00pm-9.00pm

Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE

The annual event where the Prep Choir and Swing Band put on an evening of festive musical entertainment for guests of the Rotary Club.

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Closed event

Open to pupils and staff only

Pre-Prep - Reception Nativity

Thursday 30th November - 3.00pm-3.45pm

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

Join us in Chapel as we retell the Christmas story through words, songs and dance.

Pre-Prep - Year 1 Nativity

Friday 1st December - 9.15am-10.00am

Forest Garden, Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET

Travel to Bethlehem with Year 1 as they celebrate the birth of the Baby Jesus in the magical setting of the Nursery Forest Garden.

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Upper - Spotlight Concert

Friday 1st December - 5.30pm-7.00pm

Joseph Cooper Music School, Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET

An opportunity for soloists and smaller chamber groups to perform - expect a wide variety of genres and instruments.

Upper - Christmas Carol Service

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Sunday 3rd December - 6.30pm-7.30pm

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

The traditional annual service opens with a solo verse of Once in Royal David’s City, and then follows the traditional pattern of readings and carols.

Ticketed event

Please see communication from SLT and HoMs nearer the time

Pre-Prep - Year 2 and 3 Nativity

Tuesday 5th December - 2.45pm-3.45pm

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

Join us in Chapel as Year 2 and 3 retell the Christmas story through words, songs and dance.

Upper - Christmas Concert

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Tuesday 5th December - 6.30pm-7.15pm

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

The last night of term sees a hugely enjoyable concert in Chapel - a fun mix of congregational sing-along and brilliant bursts from the College’s top musicians, with full orchestra.

Around 45 minutes in length, followed by House Christmas Dinners!

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Pre-Prep - Nursery and Preschool Nativity

Prep - Carol Service

Wednesday 6th December - 3.15pm-4.00pm

Preschool Ground Floor, Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET

Bringing the Nativity story to life with songs and actions in our Bethlehem stable.

Thursday 7th December - 4.00pm-5.00pm

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

Our beautiful end of term Carol Service, complete with Candlelight Carol and candle carriers.

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only

Free to attend

Open to parents, pupils and staff only