Music

The Music Department at St. Michael’s consists of the Director of Music, Mr G. Pearce and Teacher of Music, Mr G. Miller as well as a team of fourteen peripatetic teachers.

The department is very well resourced; with an iMac suite running Sibelius and Logic Pro. A recording studio home to a 3rd generation 18 channel Focusrite interface, high quality Mackie monitor speakers (80w), a good range of dynamic and condenser microphones and Native Instruments Komplete and Kontrol A61.

There are also several music practice rooms.
We offer GCSE and A Level Music, both following the Eduqas syllabus.

Many students at St. Michael’s learn an instrument at school, with over 200 individual lessons taking place every week. Students can start to learn an instrument in any year group of the school, whether a beginner or experienced player, and applications for lessons can be handed in at any point during the year. Interested students should email the school office for an online application form. Some support is available for families in financial need, and the school has a limited supply of instruments that can be hired.

The department runs a range of ensembles, for students who have not long been learning their instrument, to players and singers at Grade 8 and beyond. A list of ensembles can be found below. There are frequent opportunities for students to perform at concerts, as well as part of liturgies and masses, and the annual Carol Service. The Music Department regularly collaborates on performances with the Drama Department including Matilda, April 2025, at the Arts Depot. The Music Department also has a history of concert tours to Europe - 30 pupils, July 2025, will be performing three concerts in Italy, Lake Garda. April 2nd 2025 the school’s audition choir will be performing at The Royal Albert Hall as part of the All Under One Sky gala concert.

You can follow the Music Department on Twitter @MusicStMichaels

Music Lunchtime Clubs

Being part of an ensemble will guarantee pupils a wealth of deeply enriching musical experiences. 
All ensembles participate in the various concerts and masses that take place in and out of school.
Joining an ensemble does not make it mandatory for pupils to take part in the performances but pupils are encouraged to

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Day	Activity	Location	Who	Teacher	Information
Mondays 1:15-1:50pm	Choir of St Michael's	Music Room	Auditioned entry only	Directed by Mr Pearce and Mr Douse	Pupils can join the Choir of St Michael's by passing an audition. The next round of auditions will take place in due course.
Tuesday 1:15-1:50pm	Chamber Choir	Music Room	Auditioned entry only	Directed by the Sixth Form Music Ambassadors	Pupils of all ages and abilities are invited to join the Chamber Choir.
Wednesday 1:15-1:50pm	Junior Orchestra	Music Room	Auditioned entry only	Directed by Mr Pearce	Pupils of all ages and abilities are invited to join the Junior Orchestra.  A wonderful opportunity for pupils who have perhaps never played as part of a large ensemble as well as for those with any amount of experience.
Thursday 1:15-1:50pm	Senior Orchestra	Music Room	Auditioned entry only	Directed by Mr Mille	Pupils of all ages who have passed grade 4 or above on their instrument and are confident sight-readers are encouraged to join the Senior Orchestra.
Friday 1:15-1:50pm	Music Theory Club	Music Room		Mr Godfrey	The Music Theory Club is aimed primarily at those who are pursuing grade 5 theory; a prerequisite for those wishing to pursue grade 6 performance exams with ABRSM.