Performing Arts Events Calendar Michaelmas Term 2026 1|
Welcome to
Performing Arts Michaelmas Term 2026 We are thrilled to invite you to what promises to be an extraordinary Michaelmas Term here at Clifton College, bursting with incredible talent and unforgettable live performances. Our stellar lineup ranges from our Visiting Music Teachers’ Concert, music scholar showcases, and informal Pre-Prep and Prep concerts to high-energy open mic nights, House Song competitions, and vibrant Eisteddfod celebrations. Staged highlights include our full orchestra end-of-term concerts alongside our annual Upper Musical, this year’s production of Into the Woods is going to be truly phenomenal. Michaelmas wouldn’t be complete without the breathtaking atmosphere of our Chapel services, from cozy nativities and candle-lit Advent services to traditional carols and our Christmas Concert Spectacular. Our students and staff cannot wait to share these special moments with you. James Moore, Director of Performing Arts 2|
PREPARATORY
PRESCHOOL - YEAR 8
PRE-PREP
PRESCHOOL - YEAR 2
PREP
YEAR 3 - YEAR 8
UPPER
YEAR 9 - YEAR 13
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PREP
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PRE-PREP
UPPER
Music Open Evening
Music Open Evening
Thursday 17th September, 4.00pm-6.00pm Prep Music Department, Top Floor of Merry House
Thursday 17th September, 5.30pm-7.00pm Joseph Cooper Music School, Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET
An opportunity for parents and pupils 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. You will need to book an appointment for this event, contact the Music Department for more information.
Pupils and parents are invited to sign up for free 5-10 minute taster lessons with our Visiting Music Teachers - from trombone to jazz piano.
Open to students and parents
Open to students and parents
UPPER
UPPER
Tuesday Arts Club: Visiting Music Teachers’ Concert
Black History Month: Music in the Crypt
Tuesday 22nd September, 6.30pm-7.30pm Joseph Cooper Music School, Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET
Thursday 1st October, 7.30pm-9.00pm The Crypt, located underneath the Clifton College Chapel
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.
To mark Black History Month, we look forward to an evening of students performing songs with links to African, AfricanAmerican, Black British and Afro-Caribbean links.
Open to students, staff, parents, OCs and the public
Open to students, staff and parents 5|
PRE-PREP
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PREPARATORY
Little Explorers go to the Theatre
Informal Concert
Saturday 10th October, 9.30am-10.30am Redgrave Theatre, Percival Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LE
Tuesday 13th October, 4.00pm-5.15pm Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE
Join us for an energetic and inclusive BIG SING at our very own theatre - The Redgrave Theatre. Children (1-8 years) and adults encouraged to join in the fun! See website for sign up details.
Children from Years 4 to 8 of varying experience, perform to friends and family - expect a wide range of genres and instruments.
Open to all, including the public
Open to students, staff and parents
PREPARATORY
UPPER
Informal Concert
House Part Song Competition
Wednesday 14th October, 4.15pm-5.00pm Pre-Prep Hall, Butcombe House, The Avenue, Clifton BS8 3EZ
Thursday 15th October, 5.15pm-6.15pm Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
Children from Years 2 and 3 of varying experience, perform to friends and family - expect a wide range of genres and instruments.
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.
Open to students, staff and parents
Open to students, staff and parents 7|
UPPER
UPPER
House Unison Song Competition
Upper School Musical: Into the Woods
Thursday 15th October, 7.45pm-9.15pm Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
Wednesday 11th - Saturday 14th November, 7.30pm Redgrave Theatre, Percival Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LE
Every student in the school takes to the stage to perform in the most exciting house competition of the year - it’s the event everyone is waiting for.
A dazzling full-scale production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, reworking fairy-tales with unexpected consequences and complicated happily ever afters. NB: on Sat 14 the performance will start at 7.00pm
Tickets can be purchased through the Redgrave Theatre box office https://redgravetheatre.com/
Open to students and staff 8|
Open to all, including the public
PREPARATORY
UPPER
Informal Concert
Autumn Spotlight Concert
Tuesday 17th November, 4.00pm-5.15pm Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE
Wednesday 18th November 7.30pm-8.30pm Joseph Cooper Music School, Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET
Children from Years 4 to 8 of varying experience, perform to friends and family - expect a wide range of genres and instruments.
An opportunity for soloists and smaller chamber groups to perform - expect a wide variety of genres and instruments.
Open to students, staff and parents
Open to students, staff and parents 9|
PREP
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PREP
House Song Competition
Prep Autumn Concert
Thursday 19th November, 2.00pm-4.00pm Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE
Tuesday 24th November, 6.30pm-8.00pm 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.
Come and see what our music groups have been working towards all term! This is an opportunity for our ensembles to perform a wide range of music - String, Brass, Guitar, Wind Ensembles as well as Orchestra, Swing Band, Junior Choir and Pop Groups.
Open to students and staff
Open to students, staff and parents
PREPARATORY
UPPER
Informal Concert
Music in the Crypt
Wednesday 25th November, 4.15pm-5.00pm Pre-Prep Hall, Butcombe House, The Avenue, Clifton BS8 3EZ
Thursday 26th November 7.30pm-9.00pm The Crypt, located underneath the Clifton College Chapel
Children from Years 2 and 3 of varying experience, perform to friends and family - expect a wide range of genres and instruments.
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 students are always excellent.
Open to students, staff and parents
Open to students, staff and parents 11 |
UPPER
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PREPARATORY
Advent Service
Eisteddfod
Friday 27th November 6.30pm-7.30pm Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
Saturday 28th November, 9.00am-4.00pm Joseph Cooper Music School, Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET
A beautiful service with choirs from across the College and 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.
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 to Year 8 are welcome to participate.
Open to all, including the public
Open to students and parents
PREP
PRE-PREP
Rotary Club Concert
Early Years Nativity
Wednesday 2nd December, 6.00pm-8.00pm Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE
Friday 4th December, 9.30am-10.30am Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
The annual event where the Prep School Choir, Junior Choir and Swing Band put on an evening of festive music for guests of the Rotary Club.
Preschool and Reception children come together to retell the story of the birth of Jesus in our beautiful Chapel.
Closed event, open to guests of the Rotary Club only
Open to students, staff and parents 13 |
UPPER
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PRE-PREP
Winter Spotlight Concert
Years 1 and 2 Nativity
Friday 4th December 5.30pm-7.00pm Joseph Cooper Music School, Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET
Monday 7th December 2.45pm-3.45pm Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
An opportunity for soloists and smaller chamber groups to perform - expect a wide variety of genres and instruments.
Join us in Chapel for another joyous occasion, filled with singing, acting and dancing, to celebrate the Christmas story.
Open to students, staff and parents
Open to students, staff and parents
UPPER
Christmas Concert Spectacular (Public)
Tuesday 8th December 7.00pm-9.00pm Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ The return of our extended full Christmas Concert featuring open to the public - soloists, chamber groups, Soul Band, Big Band, Orchestra, Choirs, Close Harmony, and sing-along items - all in the atmospheric light-show enhanced setting of the Chapel. Tickets will be on sale from November.
Open to all, including the public 15 |
UPPER
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PREP
Christmas Concert Spectacular (School)
Carol Service
Wednesday 9th December 6.30pm-7.30pm Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
Thursday 10th December, 4.00pm-5.00pm Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
The last night of term sees a hugely enjoyable concert in Chapel - highlights of the preceding evening - a fun mix of congregational sing-along and brilliant bursts from the College’s top musicians, with full orchestra.
Our beautiful end of term Carol Service, complete with the Candlelight Carol and candle carriers.
Open to students and staff
Open to students, staff and parents
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PRE-PREP
Fun Friday Sing The perfect way to start a Friday morning with a lively sing. All families are welcome to attend for an uplifting and energising way to start the day with Mrs Gillam.
• 11th September
• 6th November
• 18th September
• 13th November
• 2nd October
• 20th November
• 9th October
• 27th November
• 16th October
• 4th December
Fridays during term time, 8.00am-8.25am Pre-Prep Hall, Butcombe House, The Avenue, Clifton BS8 3EZ Free to attend Open to parents, pupils, and staff 18 |
UPPER
Thursday 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. • 10th September
• 5th November
• 17th September
• 12th November
• 24th September
• 19th November
• 1st October
• 26th November
• 8th October
• 3rd December
• 15th October
Thursdays during term time, 8.20am-8.40am Free to attend Open to parents and family of performers, pupils and staff 19 |
Scholarships Music, Drama, Performing Arts Music The music scholarship aims to enable pupils to pursue music to as high a level as they wish. Some will look to study music beyond Clifton College 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. Music scholars receive two free music lessons a week from specialists in their chosen instrument(s) and will have the opportunity to perform in orchestras, chamber ensembles and as soloists. 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 awardwinning close harmony groups and recorded their own albums.
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Drama
Performing Arts
This scholarship is for committed and imaginative young actors who demonstrate a passion for performance, whatever their level of experience. We welcome applications from students eager to grow as artists, collaborators, and storytellers. The programme develops skills in both individual and ensemble performance, with students engaging in a wide range of theatrical styles and techniques. Scholars take part in workshops with visiting professionals, attend theatre trips, and contribute to Clifton College’s rich and varied performance programme, from classical text to devised theatre and new writing. Previous drama scholars have gone on to join the National Youth Theatre as well as study at leading theatre conservatoires such as Central School of Speech and Drama, and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Passionate young performers are encouraged to apply for a Performing Arts Scholarship, whatever their range of experience. This new scholarship recognises students with exceptional promise across the wider performing arts, particularly in musical theatre and dance. It is designed for those who thrive in expressive, physical, and musical performance, and who demonstrate a passion for storytelling through movement and song as well as spoken word. Depending on their area of specialism, scholars may be supported to develop skills in choreography, vocal technique, ensemble work, and characterisation, with opportunities to engage in specialist workshops, public performances, and interdisciplinary projects. The programme encourages versatility and creativity, preparing students for the dynamic demands of contemporary stage practice.
Find out more information at: www.cliftoncollege.com/pages/ landing-pages/scholarships-and -bursaries 21 |
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.
For more information contact: Mr James Drinkwater, Director of Music: jdrinkwater@cliftoncollege.com / 0117 3157 230 22 |
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1 Preschool
5 Chapel
Clifton College Preschool, Guthrie Road, Clifton, BS8 3ET
Access to Chapel through Memorial Arch, BS8 3HJ, or from Reception on Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ
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Music School Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET
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7 The Crypt Located underneath the Chapel, accessible from the sports field entering from Memorial Arch or Guthrie Road
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4 Prep Hall Clifton College Preparatory School, accessible from The Avenue, Clifton, BS8 3HE
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8 The Redgrave Theatre
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3 Prep Music Department Top Floor of Merry House, The Avenue, Clifton, BS8 3HE
6 Joseph Cooper
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Percival Road, Clifton, BS8 3LE
On street parking is available for free after 5pm.
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2 Pre-Prep Hall Butcombe House, The Avenue, Clifton BS8 3EZ
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Directions to Venues
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Clifton College Guthrie Road Clifton, Bristol BS8 3EZ T. +44 (0)117 315 7000 E. info@cliftoncollege.com cliftoncollege.com 26 |