Performing Arts Lent Term 2026

Performing Arts Events Calendar Lent Term 2026 1|

Welcome to

Performing Arts Lent Term 2026 The Lent Term at Clifton College offers a wide variety of musical experiences. January starts with the Year 5 production of Madagascar - A Musical Adventure Jr, followed by the annual Band Night which is an evening of high-quality entertainment from our Upper School pop musicians.

In February our Pre-Prep and Prep School pupils will be hosting their first informal concerts of the term for friends and family, and our Upper pupil choir will be joining forces with Bristol Cathedral to perform choral greats.

There are many more wonderful performances over the term and we look forward to seeing you at these events soon!

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UPPER

PREP

Advanced Performance Platform: Junior Scholars

Year 5 Play: Madagascar - A Musical Adventure Jr

Thursday 15 January, 5.30pm-7.00pm Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ

Thursday 22 & Friday 23 January, 7.00pm-8.15pm Redgrave Theatre, Percival Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LE

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.

Come and see our Year 5s perform Madagascar Jr.

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

Based on the Dreamworks film this is a fun musical adventure from New York to Madagascar - expect to see all your favourite characters!

Open to all, including the public Open to parents and guests 4|

Tickets can be purchased from the Redgrave Theatre website: redgravetheatre.com

UPPER

PREP

Band Night

Anne Guy Concert

Thursday 29 January, 7.30pm-9.00pm Redgrave Theatre, Percival Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LE

Monday 2 February, 6.30pm-9.00pm Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE

An evening of pop, rock, and electro music - expect a real mix of songs from our fantastic groups including the Soul Band and Big Band on the stage of the Redgrave Theatre.

This evening of music is performed by our most talented Year 7s and 8s. In memory of the school governor who widely supported music development in the Prep School.

Open to parents and guests, pupils, staff and OCs Tickets can be booked via the Redgrave Theatre website: redgravetheatre.com

By invitation only 5|

UPPER

Chamber Choir sings Evensong

Informal concert

Tuesday 3 February, 5.30pm-6.30pm All Saint’s Church, Pembroke Road, BS8 3ED

Wednesday 4 February, 4.15pm-5.00pm Pre-Prep Hall, Butcombe House, The Avenue, Clifton BS8 3EZ

Celebrate the ancient service of evensong with the Chamber Choir in the wonderful acoustic and striking setting of All Saint’s Church, Clifton. To include Dyson’s Evening Service in F.

The first Informal Concert of the term! Children from Years 2 and 3 of varying experience, perform to friends and family expect a wide range of genres and instruments.

Open to all, including the public 6|

PRE-PREP

Open to parents, pupils and staff

UPPER

PREP

House Play Festival

Informal Concert

Monday 9 - Thursday 12 February Redgrave Theatre, Percival Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LE

Tuesday 10 February, 4.15pm-5.15pm Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE

Join us as Clifton College’s Upper School houses take to the Redgrave stage with new writing, creative spins on classic texts, and bold performances, this year with the theme of Hitchcock Noir. The 2026 House Play Festival invites you to embrace the elegance and intrigue of Hitchcock Noir, where every glance hides a motive, every silhouette tells a story, and every twist keeps the audience guessing.

The first 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.

Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff Tickets can be booked via the Redgrave Theatre website: redgravetheatre.com

Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff 7|

PRE-PREP

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UPPER

Butcombe Song

Advanced Performance Platform: Hannah M

Friday 13 February, 9.30am-10.30am Redgrave Theatre, Percival Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LE

Tuesday 24 February, 6.30pm-7.30pm Joseph Cooper Music School, Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET

The Pre-Prep version of our much-loved Clifton College House Song competition takes place in the Redgrave Theatre.

An exciting morning of singing, costume, theatre and dance.

A special evening featuring the varied talents of our multitalented Year 13 Joseph Cooper Music Scholar Hannah previously featured in the 2025 Clifton International Festival in Brahms’ piano trio. Tonight her solo and ensemble performances will be on piano, cello and voice, both classical and contemporary.

Closed event - open to pupils and staff only

Open to parents and guests

UPPER

PREP

Joint Evensong with Bristol Cathedral

Prep School sings Evensong

Thursday 26 February, 5.15pm-6.00pm Bristol Cathedral, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TJ

Thursday 5 March, 5.30pm-6.30pm All Saints Church, Pembroke Road, BS8 3ED

Our pupil choir joins together with Bristol Cathedral to perform choral greats from the Anglican repertory, accompanied by the newly-restored Cathedral organ.

Celebrate the ancient service of evensong with the treble and soprano voices of the Prep School Choir in the wonderful acoustic and striking setting of All Saint’s Church, Clifton.

Open to all, including the public

Open to all, including the public 9|

PREP

UPPER

Informal Concert

Joseph Cooper Concert

Tuesday 10 March, 4.15pm-5.15pm Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE

Tuesday 10 March, 7.00pm-9.15pm St George’s, Bristol, BS1 5RR

The 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.

Our annual gala evening of instrumental and choral music, to feature Mozart’s hauntingly lyrical Requiem in the world-class acoustics of St George’s Bristol.

Open to all, including the public Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff 10 |

Tickets available from the St George’s website: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

PRE-PREP

PREP

Informal concert

Joint Junior Choirs: from Oliver! to ABBA

Wednesday 11 March, 4.15pm-5.00pm Pre-Prep Hall, Butcombe House, The Avenue, Clifton BS8 3EZ

Tuesday 17 March, 7.00pm-8.00pm Clifton College Chapel, accessible via Guthrie Road, BS8 3EZ

The second Informal Concert of the term! Children from Years 2 and 3 of varying experience, perform to friends and family expect a wide range of genres and instruments.

The voices of the Prep School Chapel Choir, Junior Choir, and our outreach Primary Schools - Fishponds, Oasis Bankleaze and Oasis Marskbury Road - join in a celebration of songs from the shows.

Open to parents, pupils and staff

Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff 11 |

UPPER

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UPPER

Music in the Crypt

Spotlight Concert

Thursday 19 March, 7.30pm-9.00pm The Crypt, located underneath the Clifton College Chapel

Friday 20 March, 5.30pm-7.00pm Joseph Cooper Music School, Guthrie Road, BS8 3ET

From jazz to contemporary, covers to new numbers from our burgeoning singer-songwriting pupils, a relaxed but beautiful evening of music in the special setting of the Crypt.

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

Open to parents of performers and their guests, and pupils

Open to parents and guests, pupils, staff and OCs

PREP

PRE-PREP

School Spring Concert

Spring Celebration

Monday 23 March, 6.30pm-8.00pm Prep Hall, Clifton College, BS8 3HE

Thursday 26 March, 3:00pm-3:45pm Pre-Prep Hall, Butcombe House, The Avenue, Clifton BS8 3EZ

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

Join us for our joyous Spring celebration in Chapel preceded by our traditional Easter Bonnet Parade in the Quad. A great way to finish the term.

Open to parents and guests, pupils and staff

Open to parents, pupils and staff

Parade starts at 3pm, Chapel service is 3:!5-3:45pm.

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PRE-PREP

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.

• 9 January

• 13 February

• 16 January

• 27 February

• 23 January

• 6 March

• 30 January

• 20 March

• 6 February

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 14 |

Fun Friday Sing

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.

• 22 January Ramon J And Rohan C (Piano/Trombone) WaH • 5 February Elvan L, Kaifeng W, Ben F (Sax/Violin/Piano) SH • 5 March Tom S, Nehemiah O, Max K (Voice/Trumpet/Drums) MH • 12 March Ben R, Harry R, Xavi H (Violin/Cello/Sax/Piano) ST Thursdays during term time, 8.20am-8.40am Free to attend Open to parents and family of performers, pupils and staff 15 |

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 17 |

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 18 |

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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 20 |