Music Diary
MICHAELMAS 2025
Thursday 4 September
ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS
4.30-8.00pm | Music School, Sherborne Boys
Musicians from Sherborne Boys, Sherborne Girls, Sherborne Prep and the Gryphon School audition as they hope to join this year’s Sherborne Schools’ Sinfonia and Symphony Orchestras.
NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Friday 12 September
MEET THE MUSIC STAFF
1.45pm | Cheap Street Church
An opportunity to hear Sherborne Boys’ Music staff play at the first Lunchtime Recital of the new academic year.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
Friday 12 September
MEET THE MUSIC STAFF
7.30pm | The Gransden Hall, Sherborne Girls
An opportunity to hear Sherborne Girls’ Music staff perform at the start of the new academic year.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
BOOKING ADVISED
Scan the QR code or email events@sherbornegirls.group
Sunday 14 September
ORCHESTRAL SUNDAY
1.45-3.15pm | The Gransden Hall, Sherborne Girls
Our newly-formed Sherborne Schools’ Symphony Orchestra meets for the first time before weekly rehearsals begin.
NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Friday 19 September SINGERS
1.45pm | Cheap Street Church
Come to hear a selection of pupil singers from Sherborne Boys as they perform in their own Lunchtime Recital.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
Friday 19 September
LUNCHTIME CONCERT
1.45pm | The Gransden Hall, Sherborne Girls
A chance to hear talented young musicians from Sherborne Girls perform a wide range of solo and chamber music in a relaxed lunchtime concert setting.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
BOOKING ADVISED
Scan the QR code or email events@sherbornegirls.group
Friday 19 September
MA POLAINE’S GREAT DECLINE
7.30pm | The Gransden Hall, Sherborne Girls
Beth Hough - vocals, bass | Clinton Hough - guitar
Jimmy Norden - drums | Izzie Yardley - vocals, guitar
With influences in blues, jazz and country Ma Polaine have drawn comparisons with many, with references to Billie Holiday, Tom Waits and a “moody Mary
Margaret O’Hara”, yet Ma Polaine’s sound is very much their own. Beth’s distinctive, emotive vocals coupled with her evocative lyrics create a compelling mix of abstract tales, dark humour and raw beauty, whilst Clinton’s understated guitar style supports with rich chords and gritty riffs.
MOJO Magazine – 4 stars. “Ma Polaine’s Great Decline have evolved a popfolk-blues-americana style that is warmly familiar, yet is sufficiently unhinged to keep you guessing…”
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME | BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Scan the QR code or email events@sherbornegirls.group
Friday 26 September
INSTRUMENTAL
& VOCAL SOLOISTS I
1.45pm | Cheap Street Church
Join us to hear a selection of musicians from Sherborne Boys as they perform on a variety of instruments in this week’s Lunchtime Recital.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
Tuesday 30 September
LUNCHTIME CONCERT
1.45pm | Cheap Street Church
A chance to hear talented young musicians from Sherborne Girls perform a wide range of solo and chamber music in a relaxed lunchtime concert setting.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
Friday 3 October BRASS
1.45pm | Cheap Street Church
This week’s Lunchtime Recital features just a few of Sherborne Boys’ talented brass musicians as they perform a variety of music.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
Friday 3 October
LUNCHTIME CONCERT
1.45pm | The Gransden Hall, Sherborne Girls
A chance to hear talented young musicians from Sherborne Girls perform a wide range of solo and chamber music in a relaxed lunchtime concert setting.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME BOOKING ADVISED
Scan the QR code or email events@sherbornegirls.group
Friday 3 October
MUSIC SCHOLARS’ CONCERT
7.30pm | The Gransden Hall, Sherborne Girls
Join us to hear Sherborne Girls’ Music Scholars as they perform for the first time in the new academic year.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME | BOOKING ADVISED
Scan the QR code or email events@sherbornegirls.group
Tuesday 7 October
JOINT SCHOOLS’ PREP SCHOOLS ORCHESTRAL DAY
10.00am-4.30pm | Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls
Prep School pupils will attend workshops and rehearsals at Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls before coming together to perform in a concert to parents and guests.
NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
SHERBORNE SCHOOLS GROUP MUSIC
Friday 10 October
WOODWIND
1.45pm
Cheap Street Church
Come along to hear some of Sherborne Boys’ finest woodwind musicians as they perform in their own Lunchtime Recital.
FREE ADMISSION ALL WELCOME
Friday 10 October
LUNCHTIME CONCERT ROCK & POP
1.45pm
Benjamin Britten Hall, Stuart Centre, Sherborne Girls
Sherborne Girls pupils who follow Rock and Pop music syllabuses have the opportunity to showcase more diverse repertoire in this lunchtime concert.
FREE ADMISSION ALL WELCOME
BOOKING ADVISED
Scan the QR code or email events@sherbornegirls.group
Sunday 12 October
SINGING COMPETITION
2.00-5.00pm | Tindall Recital Hall, Sherborne Boys
Join us for an afternoon of top-quality singing from a selection of Sherborne Boys’ musicians as they compete to an external adjudicator.
Adjudicator: James Oldfield, bass-baritone and Singing teacher
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME | BOOKING ADVISED
Scan the QR code or email tickets@sherborneboys.group
SHERBORNE
Tuesday 14 October
LUNCHTIME CONCERT
1.45pm | Cheap Street Church
A chance to hear talented young musicians from Sherborne Girls perform a wide range of solo and chamber music in a relaxed lunchtime concert setting.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
Wednesday 15 October
BOURNEMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA “COLOUR AND LIGHT”
7.30pm | Poole Lighthouse
An exciting opportunity for the Sixth Form Music Scholars from Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls to hear the BSO as they perform music by J S Bach, Sibelius, Suk, and Respighi.
Friday 17 October
INSTRUMENTAL & VOCAL SOLOISTS II
1.45pm | Cheap Street Church
Join us to hear some of Sherborne Boys’ fantastic musicians as they perform on a variety of instruments in this Lunchtime Recital.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
Friday 7 November
SWING BAND
1.45pm | Cheap Street Church
The renowned Sherborne Boys’ Swing Band perform some lively and toe-tapping favourites in their own Lunchtime Recital.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
SHERBORNE
Friday 7 November
LUNCHTIME CONCERT
1.45pm | The Gransden Hall, Sherborne Girls
A chance to hear talented young musicians from Sherborne Girls perform a wide range of solo and chamber music in a relaxed lunchtime concert setting.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
BOOKING ADVISED
Scan the QR code or email events@sherbornegirls.group
Sunday 9 November
UNPLUGGED
4.00pm | The Merritt Centre, Sherborne Girls
Sherborne Girls lower years will perform in a popular or acoustic style to their peers.
NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Wednesday 12 November
JOINT SCHOOLS’ UNPLUGGED
8.00pm | The Merritt Centre, Sherborne Girls
Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls pupils from 5th –U6th forms will perform to their peers in a popular or acoustic style.
NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Friday 14 November
STRINGS
1.45pm | Cheap Street Church
Sherborne Boys strings musicians shine as they perform a range of repertoire in this week’s Lunchtime Recital.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
Friday 14 November
A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES
FEATURING THE JOINT SCHOOLS’ WIND BAND AND ENSEMBLES
7.30pm | The Gransden Hall, Sherborne Girls
A relaxing evening of film music performed by a variety of ensembles from both Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls, accompanied with film excerpts.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME | BOOKING ADVISED
Scan the QR code or email events@sherbornegirls.group
SHERBORNE
Saturday 15 November
DIPLOMA RECITAL
11.30am | Tindall Recital Hall, Sherborne Boys
Join us to hear first-class pupil musicians from Sherborne Boys taking Performance Diplomas later this term as they perform their chosen programmes.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME | BOOKING ADVISED
Scan the QR code or email tickets@sherborneboys.group
Tuesday 18 November
LUNCHTIME CONCERT
1.45pm | Cheap Street Church
A chance to hear talented young musicians from Sherborne Girls perform a wide range of solo and chamber music in a relaxed lunchtime concert setting.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
Wednesday 19 November
JOINT SCHOOLS’ CHORAL EVENSONG
5.30pm | Exeter Cathedral
The Sherborne Boys Chamber Choir and Sherborne Girls Madrigal Society join forces in a Choral Evensong.
Alexander Eadon and Mark Cracknell - directors
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
SHERBORNE SCHOOLS GROUP MUSIC
Thursday 20 November
MODULUS STRING QUARTET
2.00-5.00pm – workshops (no booking required) 7.30pm – concert (booking advised)
Tindall Recital Hall, Sherborne Boys
Strings musicians from Sherborne Boys will participate in workshops with the renowned Modulus String Quartet, before performing in an early-evening concert.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
Scan the QR code or email tickets@sherborneboys.group
Thursday 20 November
SHERBORNE
Friday 21 November
INSTRUMENTAL & VOCAL SOLOISTS III
1.45pm | Cheap Street Church
Come to hear a selection of Sherborne Boys’ pupil musicians as they perform a varied programme in this Lunchtime Recital.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
Friday 28 November PIANISTS
1.45pm | Cheap Street Church
This week’s Lunchtime Recital features just a few of Sherborne Boys’ very talented pupil pianists as they perform music ranging from the 19th century to the present day.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
Friday 28 November
LUNCHTIME CONCERT
1.45pm | The Gransden Hall, Sherborne Girls
A chance to hear talented young musicians from Sherborne Girls perform a wide range of solo and chamber music in a relaxed lunchtime concert setting.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
BOOKING ADVISED
Scan the QR code or email events@sherbornegirls.group
Sunday 30 November
SHERBORNE BOYS ADVENT CAROL SERVICE
7.45pm | Sherborne Abbey
A candle-lit service with the Sherborne Boys Choirs
Alexander Eadon - director
NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Tuesday 2 December
SSSO & SINFONIA OPEN REHEARSAL
5.15pm | The Gransden Hall, Sherborne Girls
Come to gain an insight into the lively and energetic rehearsals of the Sherborne Schools’ Sinfonia and Symphony Orchestras.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME | BOOKING ADVISED
Scan the QR code or email events@sherbornegirls.group
SHERBORNE
SHERBORNE SCHOOLS GROUP PRESENTS
THURSDAY 4 | FRIDAY 5 | SATURDAY 6 DECEMBER @ 7.30PM
PLEASE SCAN FOR TICKETS
Friday 5 December
‘MINCE PIES’ CHAMBER MUSIC
1.45pm | Tindall Recital Hall, Sherborne Boys
To see us into the festive season, join us for a mince pie and some well-known seasonal favourites performed by chamber music ensembles in the final Lunchtime Recital of the term.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
Friday 5 December
LUNCHTIME CONCERT
1.45pm | The Gransden Hall, Sherborne Girls
A chance to hear talented young musicians from Sherborne Girls perform a wide range of solo and chamber music in a relaxed lunchtime concert setting.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
BOOKING ADVISED
Scan the QR code or email events@sherbornegirls.group
Saturday 6 December
ROCSOC ‘LIVE’
8.00pm | Greenfield Hall
Pupil rock and pop groups from Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls perform to their peers on the main stage in the Greenfield Hall.
NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Sunday 7 December
SHERBORNE GIRLS CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE (LOWER SCHOOL)
11.30am | Sherborne Abbey
NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Saturday 13th December
SHERBORNE GIRLS CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE (UPPER SCHOOL)
2.30pm | Sherborne Abbey NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Sunday 7 December
FESTIVE SHOPPING DAY
11.00am | Sherborne Girls Senior Choir & Madrigals
2.00pm | Sherborne Boys Close Harmony & brass groups The Conduit, Cheap Street
Come along to hear some cheerful, festive performances from both Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls musicians.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME
Monday 8 December
MUSIC & READINGS FOR CHRISTMAS WITH THE SHERBORNE BOYS CHAMBER CHOIR
7.30pm | The Chapel, Sherborne Boys
A festive service of carols and hymns, and readings by pupils from Sherborne Boys.
FREE ADMISSION, ALL WELCOME | BOOKING ADVISED
Scan the QR code or email tickets@sherborneboys.group
Wednesday 10 December
SHERBORNE BOYS
ABRSM INSTRUMENTAL EXAMS
NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Thursday 11 December
SHERBORNE BOYS TRINITY COLLEGE INSTRUMENTAL EXAMS
NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
SHERBORNE SCHOOLS GROUP
Thursday 11 December
BOURNEMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
7.30pm | The Merrit Centre, Sherborne Girls
Mark Wigglesworth - conductor | Yulianna Avdeeva - piano
Kernis Musica Celestis | Mozart Symphony No.39 K.543 Brahms Piano Concerto No.1
Originally the slow movement to his String Quartet No.1, Kernis’ heartfelt music, expanded for full strings, was inspired by the serene beauty of medieval music and imagined sound of angels singing in heaven. It’s parallel to Barber’s Adagio is instantly apparent. Mozart’s Symphony No.39 opens grandly, with a darkly dramatic introduction in which orchestral texture and harmonic dissonance increase to near breaking point. This gives way to superlatively crafted work of contrasting melodic invention and rhythmic and contrapuntal exploration. The origins of this concerto, Brahms’ first symphonic work, can be traced to 1854, when the composer heard a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. It is directly inspired by that revolutionary monolith and its own large scale is particularly evident in the tremendous and unconventional first movement, filled with an almost over-abundance of themes. The effect is exhilarating and entirely unexpected which perhaps explains its early poor reception. The following meditative adagio is the most sublime of slow movements, whilst the final rondo has a brusque, even baroque momentum all of its own.
Tickets £39.00 (adults), £27.00 for U18s and other concessions.
BOOKING ESSENTIAL (NO TICKETS ON THE DOOR)
To book, visit the BSO website at www.bsolive.com/events/monumentalbrahms-sherborne/ or call the Box Office on 01202 669925.
Friday 12 December
SHERBORNE BOYS
CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE (SIXTH FORM)
5.30pm | Sherborne Abbey NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Saturday 13 December
SHERBORNE BOYS
CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE (LOWER SCHOOL)
11.00am | Sherborne Abbey NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
SHERBORNE
Wednesday 11 February 2026
SHERBORNE SCHOOLS’ CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT
7.30pm | Sherborne Abbey
CHICHESTER PSALMS – Leonard Bernstein
THE ARMED MAN – Karl Jenkins
Mark Cracknell - conductor
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