It is our contention that everyone has some innate musical ability and that, by encouragement and guidance, at whatever level or style, one's life can be enriched and, perhaps, be given a new dimension.
Consequently every Wellingtonian is offered a range of opportunities in music from the unpretentious to the most challenging.
We pride ourselves on the quality of the tuition and opportunities we offer but are looking constantly to respond to the changing musical needs and aspirations of the pupils.

Facilities:

The facilities for music at Wellington College are excellent. There is a large, well-equipped school of music in three main adjacent buildings. The Music School includes five teaching rooms and twelve practice rooms which all contain modern pianos, a department reference library and listening facility with IT, a rehearsal / recital room, keyboard and computer room and administrative offices. The library houses an extensive collection of books records, CD's and scores. There is a complete Grove Dictionary and Musica Britannica. The Wind and Brass Centre is home of the Wind, Brass and Jazz Ensembles. The rehearsal room here contains sequencing facilities and sound systems. The Old Gym was recently converted into a fine Concert Hall. It has one of the finest Bechstein pianos on stage.  Conveniently situated studios for Percussion and Electric Guitar are alongside.
There is a superb three-manual Harrison and Harrison organ in the College Chapel. Gillian Weir gave the opening recital after the organ was rebuilt in 1980. Organ recitals by visitors and students take place regularly throughout each term. The college also owns a fine French two-manual harpsichord and a large stock of orchestral instruments that are used by pupils free of charge. There is a continuing programme of refurbishment to maintain the high standards of both the pianos and all other instruments.

Classroom Music:

Boys come to Wellington College with a wide range of musical experience. Those who are already competent instrumentalists embark on an academic  course which teaches the fundamentals of GCSE and includes some ensemble training.  They are also taught some basic composition, some theory, history and are helped to develop their aural abilities. Boys who have not played an instrument previously are given an opportunity to try stringed, woodwind and brass instruments before embarking on a year's classroom course on one instrument. Teaching for these beginners is done in small groups. Beginners who show some talent and are clearly progressing well may be offered free individual tuition with a specialist teacher in addition to the classes. This gives these pupils the opportunity to continue studying after the initial year's course in completed. Whilst all boys study music in the first year, it is an option thereafter. Those who wish to study GCSE Music have their class lessons time-tabled.
A and AS Level Music courses are offered in the Sixth Form either as specialist training for those planning a continuing study of music at college or university or as part of a balanced A Level programme.

The Specialist Music Course:

Pupils whose intention it is to study music at university or conservatoire or who wish to consider a career in music may follow a specialist music course, tailor-made to give adequate priority to their musical studies and instrumental practice, without jeopardising their general education.

Instrumental Lessons:

Individual weekly lessons of 40 minutes duration are offered in all orchestral and keyboard instruments, guitar (classical, electric and bass), percussion (orchestral and jazz), singing and bagpipes. Lessons take place on a rotation basis within the timetable or in free time. Instrumental pupils are required to practise regularly and special practice timetables may be organised for younger students.

Chamber Music:

Chamber music is an integral part of any young performer's musical growth. Accordingly, many string, wind and brass ensembles meet regularly under specialist tuition and perform informally, in major school concerts and to acclaim at various venues outside Wellington College. Boys and girls are encouraged to form and rehearse ensembles on their own initiative as this fosters a broader range of skills, musical and non-musical, which are needed for the practising musician. Prominent amongst them at present are a String Quartet, a Piano Trio, a Saxophone Quartet and two Jazz Groups.

Awards in Music:

Scholarships for boys aged 13 and for both boys and girls for entry into the Sixth Form are awarded. Major scholarships of up to half fees are available each year together with a number of minor awards.
The value of scholarships can be augmented to a greater degree where personal circumstances make it necessary. Awards include free tuition on two instruments. Candidates who have the potential as all-round musicians and who have already reached an advanced standard on at least one instrument will be favoured. Music award holders must be able to play a leading role in the musical life of the College. Scholarship auditions for girls are held in November and for boys in February.
Further details about Music Scholarships are available from the Director of Music who is happy to see prospective candidates at any time. Telephone or Facsimile 01344 444201.

The Chamber Choir and Chapel Choir:

The Chamber Choir of some 30 singers rehearses twice weekly and is responsible for Chapel performances including choral evensong, Eucharists and seasonal liturgies. They regularly visit cathedrals, (Salisbury, Winchester, Chichester amongst others) to sing evensong and toured extensively, most recently in France, Austria and the Czech Republic. There was a tour to Barcelona in 1999 and to Scotland in 2000.
Smaller choral groups function largely under pupil direction and specialise in a wide range of genres from plainsong to close harmony. The Wellington Barbershop Group recently recorded a CD and performed with the College Orchestra in South Africa.

The College Choir:

This group meets once weekly and caters as much for the less specialised singer as well as for those who might be in the Chamber Choir. It performs in an annual large scale work with the Crowthorne Choral Society. The work may be Poulenc's 'Gloria' or Handel's 'Messiah'. The annual 'Singing in the Garden' is very popular as is the choir's Gospel singing with Peter Churchill in his Rock Opera. They will be the main participants in the Choral Showstoppers concert in the Michaelmas Term.

The Orchestra:

The Senior Orchestra, a full symphony orchestra of 50 players, rehearses once every week and gives 3 - 4  performances in College each year. It made a tour to South Africa in the Summer of 1998 where it performed six concerts. The next visit was to Malaysia in 2000 and palns are afoot for a tour to Hungary in 2002. Most of the string players of the orchestra also play in the Senior String Ensemble and the less advanced players have an ensemble of their own called 'String Club'.

The Band:

The more advanced wind and brass players are invited to play in the band that assembles for the accompanying of the Remembrance Service each November.

The Jazz Orchestras:

The WJO meets weekly for rehearsals and performs regularly in college and elsewhere. The orchestra has toured extensively. Countries visited in recent years are Norway, Switzerland, France, Tunisia and Germany to name a few. There are various small ensembles within the Big Band line-up. One made a CD recently called 'Connections' where the proceeds raised were for the benefit of handicapped children. WJO works regularly with visiting 'professional' jazz educators like Eddie Harvey, Scot Stroman and Peter Churchill in widening their creative skills, experience and knowledge while broadening the range of styles and repertoire. WJO II, a training platform for the higher level, meets weekly and learns the art of improvisation, reading jazz rhythms and ensemble playing.

Ensembles:

Small chamber groups meet regularly in all areas of the music school. The Clarinet Choirs and Saxophone Ensembles alongside other wind groups provide excellent vehicles for the players to gain useful experience. Big Brass meets weekly to rehearse. This group performed in churches and cathedrals around Normandy recently providing concerts for Brass and Organ. The Brass Quintets and Quartets offer opportunities for players to learn the repertoire of the Just Brass series and that written for Canadian Brass and other popular publications.

Music and the Theatre:

Past musicals have included 'The Threepenny Opera', 'Cabaret', 'Guys and Dolls' and 'Sweeney Todd'. 'The Hot Mikado' was the combined activity in the Spring of 1999.

Informal Concerts and Outings:

Informal lunchtime concerts are held every Monday in the Concert Room. These provide an opportunity for performers, at all levels, to have their prepared music heard by an audience. The advantage of regular performance helps the player to become more comfortable and confident in the concert situation. Performance is a major part of the Wellingtonians musical development.
Outings are arranged regularly to concerts in London, Reading or at the South Hill Park Arts Centre in Bracknell.

Musicians in Residence:

Wellington College's Artist in Residence scheme allows distinguished classical instrumental performers, composers or jazz artists to spend a term at Wellington working intensively with the musicians and running classes and workshops of general interest. Julian Grant was our first Composer in Residence and was commissioned to write a major new work for the College Choir. His 20 minute piece 'Our Lady of the Chisels', was premiered at the Purcell Room in London in 1990. Julian was followed by the well known jazz educator Eddie Harvey and more recently by Paul Mottram, film and TV composer. Peter Churchill, jazz pianist, onetime Director of Music of the musical 'Five Guys Named Mo' in the West End and jazz harmony lecturer at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. These artists are asked to spend as much time as is possible at Wellington without interfering with their other schedules. This provides our students with the opportunity to participate in master classes and lectures or to have individual tuition.

The Celebrity Concert Series:

A series of four professional concerts is presented each season. Artists appearing in the 1998 / 99 series are the world renown brass band Fodens (Courtois) Band conducted by Nicholas Childs, a vocal group The Demon Barbers,  The Guildhall Jazz Orchestra with Scott Stroman from one of the leading London conservatoire and the internationally renown cellist Raphael Wallfisch accompanied by John York. In the 99 / 2000 concert series we feature Madeline Mitchell - Violinist accompanied by Andrew Ball and The West Forrest Symphony Orchestra. 2000 / 2001 The Wallace Collection played in our concert hall.

Music in the Academic Classroom:

A most exciting development in this area is the encouragement we give to our academic colleagues to provide music as a 'back-ground' to their academic lessons. Depending on the activity, it may be accompanied by a Mozart trio, a Beethoven Concerto, Tallis,  Duke Ellington or the cool jazz of Miles Davis and the feed back we receive from the teachers is that the students not only like the idea, but that the atmosphere created positively assists their mental processes.

Competitions:

Competitions are not regarded as an integral part of the Wellington music programme except for our most senior and advanced performers who would be encouraged to enter the annual Montgomery Recital Competition. This prize is awarded in the summer term alongside other music prizes for excellence.

Examinations:

Music as an academic subject is taught to GCSE, A and AS Levels. The practical examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music are available to those musicians for whom they are an essential qualification or suitable course of study. The Performers Certificate of the Trinity College of Music, London,  is a suitable goal for advanced trumpet players.

Preparatory School Liaison:

The senior college ensembles regularly visit and provide concerts at a number of Prep. schools. Directors of Music, their students and parents are most welcome to participate in our regular workshops and training weekends or attend any of our concerts. An enquiry to the Administrator on telephone and facsimile 01344 444201 will be welcomed.