17 October 2025
Musical highlights in this half of term included wonderful recitals by our music scholars and academic musicians; a very relaxed evening of jazz and pop in the Live Lounge; and a highly competitive Junior Choir Festival.
Music Tour to Malta
Before the academic year began, many of our musicians took part in a very successful tour to Malta in July, where they performed fantastic concerts and sang in Masses on Malta and Gozo. The quality of their music making was superb. The Tour Choir has also been busy this term, singing at Open Morning and giving a private concert to guests from Dubai. The choir is also looking forward to performing our signature tune What Happens When a Woman Takes Power? at a fundraising event for Womankind Worldwide at the Natural History Museum next March.
Scholars’ supper and recital
The academic year began with a very enjoyable dinner for our team of 28 music scholars, which was a wonderful opportunity for them to get to know one another outside the rehearsal room. A few weeks later, they played between them a dozen different instruments or sang to a very appreciative audience at our Music Scholars’ Recital. The confident and polished performances of our scholars demonstrated that musical excellence is inspired, enabled and celebrated here at Woldingham.
Jazz and Pop Night
Woldingham also celebrates and encourages all styles and genres of music. Our Jazz and Pop Night saw the Millenium Centre foyer transformed into a Soho-esque jazz club. Accompanied by a professional function band, student vocalists dazzled their audience, who enjoyed the superb show from the comfort of their cabaret tables.
Junior Choir Festival
Our annual Junior Choir Festival saw 240 children from eight local prep and primary schools enjoy an action-packed day of singing, body percussion and outdoor activities. We were delighted to welcome an audience of 630 into a sold-out Auditorium for a fiercely fought choral competition! Our fantastic Adjudicator, Lindie Louw, commented on the excellent musical quality of each performance, but special congratulations go to this year’s winning choir from Hornsby House for a toe-tapping rendition of Puttin’ on the Ritz.
GCSE and A Level Recital
Last night’s GCSE and A Level Music Recital was a chance for academic musicians to walk the walk and not just talk the talk. Year 11 and Upper Sixth students relished the opportunity to get their performance coursework in the bag early and delighted the audience with a polished and varied programme.
Dates for your diaries
Our musicians are busy rehearsing for the Sixth Form production of Little Shop of Horrors on 27 and 28 November and our Carol Service at Westminster Cathedral on Tuesday 2 December.
Ten of our most able singers in Years 7, 8 and 9 are also busily preparing to sing as part of the children’s chorus at the Royal Opera House in 2026. They will appear in six performances of Boris Godunov. If you fancy a night out at the opera, tickets for our performances alongside Bryn Terfel are on sale now.