Music

Click Here to read our  2025-26 Music Development Plan Summary

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Music has a high profile at Nonsuch and plays an important role in school life.  Prospective music students will find that both practical music-making and the academic study of music thrive here. 

The Music Department is housed in a modern, purpose-built suite, situated above the school hall.  Facilities are excellent, with two large recital-sized classrooms; PCs with Sibelius Ultimate and MuseScore; nine practice rooms and an A Level study room.  In addition, the school hall is in regular use as our principal concert venue and houses our concert grand piano.

We currently run:

• Three orchestras (Junior, Symphony and Senior Strings)
• Three choirs (Vox Celestes, Senior and Whole School)
• Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, Party Band, Indian Ensemble and KS4 Bands.
• Opportunities are available for KS4 and sixth-form students to coach lower school pupils, to establish and lead their own ensembles and bands.
• Many students choose to lead a music ensemble as part of completing the Skills section of their Arts Award

Our ethos is one that promotes inclusivity and musical diversity across all year groups.  Standards are high and several of our students choose to extend their musical studies at the junior conservatories in London. Many are also members of prestigious youth choirs and orchestras.

The department arranges a series of visits to London to attend concerts, operas, musicals and recitals, all of which provide our students with frequent opportunities to experience world-class musical performances.

Nonsuch music students regularly go on to study music at Oxbridge, Russell Group universities and UK conservatoires.

In addition to the two specialist music teaching staff at Nonsuch, a team of thirteen visiting peripatetic teachers provide tuition in all standard orchestral instruments: voice, guitar, drum kit and piano.
 

Reminder for Parents/Carers

We would like to take this opportunity to remind parents and carers of the following:

• If you require general information relating to our peripatetic teaching, the Music Department will be able to assist you.  Please fill in the instrumental lesson application form or contact music1@nonsuchschool.org.
   
• Nonsuch works with a team of self‑employed peripatetic instrumental teachers who are not employed directly by the school. Therefore, if you have signed up for lessons, please contact your daughter’s teacher directly regarding any issues or queries.

• If you have arranged lessons through Sutton Music Trust, please contact them directly.

If your daughter is interested in having instrumental/vocal lessons then she must ask a member of staff either in the School Office or Music Office for a pink ‘sign-up’ form which provides all the necessary details.
 

Concert Participation Guidelines

To promote and sustain the vibrant musical community at Nonsuch, it is essential that students attend most of their ensemble rehearsals to be included in termly concert performances.

When additional time is available in the concert programme, a sign‑up form will be distributed for solo and group performance opportunities.  The Music Department team will then select pieces that best complement the concert programme.   Preference will be given to students who are actively involved in school ensembles and who contribute regularly to the wider life of the Music Department.