The experience of performing and composing at Roedean has a lasting effect on the students’ appreciation of a range of musical styles. Many girls also take the subject to GCSE and A Level, achieving excellent results.
We offer a comprehensive programme of weekly ensembles, instrumental tuition, specialist music equipment, and associated musical learning opportunities that support students’ development as performers and musicians across a wide range of styles and settings.
Tuition provides students with individualised lessons across a wide range of instruments and disciplines:
Strings, voice, woodwind and brass as well as guitar, harp and percussion
Instrumental exams; recorded or face-to-face with ABRSM, Trinity and Rock School
Music Theory
Special schemes for tuition on particular instruments (info in parent handbook)
These weekly ensemble groups provide structured, ongoing rehearsal opportunities for students to develop their technical skills within specialist settings:
Junior Orchestra
String Orchestra
Senior Orchestra
Roedean Band
Junior Choir
Roedean Choir
Senior Singers
Baroque Ensemble
Percussion Ensemble
We provide a dedicated range of high-quality music equipment and facilities to support students’ learning, rehearsal, and performance across all areas of the music programme including:
Music Technology suite with iMacs
3 Steinway Grands, a Boston Grand and a number of upright pianos
A diverse programme of major showcase concerts and regular in-house events provides students with frequent chances to perform in both formal public settings and supportive school environments, developing confidence and experience throughout the year.
These regular, in-house events provide frequent opportunities for students to perform in a supportive setting, helping to develop confidence, musical skills, and ensemble experience throughout the year:
Teatime Recital (4 yearly)
Open Mic (1–2 per year)
Weekly Chapel
House Music
These major performance events showcase the highest levels of musical achievement across the year, bringing together large-scale ensembles and soloists for formal, public-facing concerts and productions:
Music Scholars’ Recital
Gala Concert
Festival Fringe Concert
Musical (annual)
Carol Service
Workshops with visiting professionals and our additional musical experiences together provide a broad range of enrichment opportunities that support students’ musical development through practical learning and engagement with a variety of musical contexts beyond the core curriculum.
Workshops with visiting professionals provide students with specialist, real-world insight into a range of musical disciplines, offering hands-on experiences that develop performance skills, creativity, and understanding of professional practice:
A range of wider opportunities beyond the core programme, including projects, festivals, and tours, enrich students’ musical development through unique and often collaborative performance experiences:
European Tour – every 2-3 years
Year 7 Instrumental Project and Showcase Recital
Springboard Festival
Ad Hoc events such as performances with Sussex Symphony Orchestra
All Year 7 girls learn an instrument as part of the curriculum, with students learning one of a range of instruments including violin, viola, trumpet, trombone, organ and bassoon.
Throughout the year, they develop their skills and confidence, culminating in a Year 7 concert where parents are invited to celebrate their progress and hear what they have learned. Students who wish to continue lessons on their chosen instrument at Roedean can do so free of charge.
