Whilst we applaud and encourage individual musical talent, we also aim to instil a firm understanding of working together within the school. Choral music serves this aim. Our approach to Choral education seeks to inspire boys to take part in many of the vocal outlets we offer in the school community, building confidence and self-esteem, and developing focus, a strong work ethic, poise and leadership qualities.
Wetherby Prep's choirs grow in number every year. Learners who wish to be part of these groups should have a fine voice, sing in tune and be able to either read music or have a good aural memory. Auditions for choir are held at the beginning of each term.
Our Chamber Choir is an invitation-only club for boys in Years 5-8. Here they tackle advanced choral works and close harmony pieces. Members are expected to have an excellent vocal tone and accurate intonation, and the ability to sight-sing is greatly beneficial. They are also expected to attend all rehearsals of either the Wetherby Voices or Wetherby Choir depending on their age and know all their music well in advance of rehearsals through private practice.
Each form class has weekly music lessons where they learn basic choral and vocal techniques, including posture, correct breathing, diction and enunciation. Each class practises traditional hymns for Friday Assembly and learns the basic elements of music theory and notation using the Kodaly Method in Go for Bronze, Silver and Gold (NYCOS). A foundation in physical and theoretical technique translates perfectly into instrumental studies, not only in individual instrumental lessons but also in class-based ensemble work and accompaniment.
Our extensive programme of events at Wetherby Prep gives every boy an opportunity to perform, regardless of their chosen instrument, from Breakfast Concerts to Instrumental Competitions. The Junior School Nativity and the Senior School Carol Service are highlights of the school calendar, along with other exciting events such as the turning on of the Marylebone Christmas lights, charity concerts, in-house recitals and our end-of-year prize-giving ceremony.
We are very lucky at Wetherby Prep to have a fantastic team of peripatetic instrumental and vocal teachers. They are all meticulous educators, working on basic foundations of technique and musicianship, with a particular focus on notation reading. Individual music lessons take place during the course of the school day. It is understood that learners will retrieve missed work from class where necessary of their own accord. Students may choose from a wide variety of instrument options, including flute, oboe, clarinet, violin, cello, guitar, percussion, piano and others.
Instrumentalists of all ages and stages are welcome in our Chamber Orchestra, where students enjoy playing a broad selection of music from classical to Coldplay.