Within the curriculum, Music is fun and involves everybody. 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.

Music equipment

Music at Roedean is well-resourced. Our main Music classroom was recently refurbished into a Music Technology suite with iMacs. A group of students recently visited the Steinway museum in Hamburg to choose 3 Steinway Grands, a Boston Grand and a number of upright pianos to be delivered to Roedean. This means that all lessons and performances will take place on a Steinway piano from April.

Music lessons at Roedean

Many girls in the school learn one or two instruments, and specialist tuition is available for the piano, organ, all orchestral instruments, saxophone, guitar, orchestral percussion, drum kit, and solo singing. All Year 7 girls learn an orchestral instrument as part of their curriculum. Students may learn the violin, viola, trumpet, trombone, horn, clarinet or bassoon. Graded music exams are held with Roedean musicians regularly gaining distinctions.

Ensembles and events

A wide range of ensembles come together every week, including Roedean Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra, the Guitar Ensemble, Concert Band, and the Roedean School Choir, as well as a number of chamber groups, such as a Piano Trio and two String Quartets.

A huge number of events, concerts, masterclasses, and workshops are arranged each year – we encourage everyone to enjoy performing and to develop their individual talents. Concert highlights include themed galas, the Brighton Festival Fringe, promenade concerts, and tea-time and evening recitals. Our annual conducting masterclass coaches girls in the art and craft of conducting.

Some pupils also attend Saturday music colleges in London. Our musicians also go on to study Music at Oxford, Birmingham, Cardiff, Bristol, York, the Royal Academy of Music, and Trinity Laban.