Music

The Music department is an extremely busy one. Concerts take place throughout the year in a wide variety of locations both in and beyond the college. Learning an instrument provides students with an opportunity to express themselves, and some go on to play in an instrumental group. Other students prefer to contribute towards congregational hymn singing in Chapel or enjoy singing the lead role in a school production. However, all students of all abilities are encouraged to take part and enjoy themselves. Music at Hurst is an inclusive and welcoming activity and everyone is encouraged to take part in something, no matter what their ability.

More than 200 students in the Senior School and Sixth Form take individual singing or instrumental lessons. Our Music department offers groups that include a Choir of 140 students, Chamber Choir of 25 students, School Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band, Quartets, String group and various ensembles focusing on different instrumental disciplines. 

Instrumental and vocal groups

Year on year, the Music department adapts the instrumental and vocal groups that are on offer, taking into account the strengths and interests of the students. Classical musicians can play in the orchestra, one of the many instrumental groups which focus on particular disciplines, as part of a chamber group, or even form their own instrumental groups. The department runs a strong Jazz Band which performs regularly at public concerts in the local area, and the Hurst Rockers play throughout the year around the local area and beyond.

Singers have just as many opportunities: they can sing in the 140-strong Chapel Choir; audition for and sing in the Chamber Choir; front one of the college’s rock bands; sing in the annual college musical or contribute to the annual House Music competition, which takes place in front of the entire school.

Concerts

Instrumental and vocal music is heard and performed throughout the campus and there are many opportunities for musicians of all standards to perform. The Music School plays host to a number of Jazz and Rock concerts and many of our musicians are frequently invited by the public to perform outside of school. The choir sings at the weekly Chapel services and the Choral Society perform in the college Chapel and attract large audiences from across Sussex.

In the Music School itself, performances include termly concerts for both soloists and ensembles, a Scholars’ Concert, the Annual Solo Music Competition, Hurst Unplugged (acoustic pop and rock concert with a focus on songwriters), Hurst ‘n’ Brie outdoor concert, Jazz and Rock Concert and a House Music competition. Hurst Music also stage community performances as part of the Hurstpierpoint Arts Festival and the Choral Evensong at Southwark Cathedral.