Music
 Music is always important in a Cathedral School and at Hereford Cathedral School is generously provided for in the school's timetable. All Year 7 and Year 8 receive two music periods a week and Year 9 is taught on a half termly rota with Drama. Music is offered to Year 10 and 11 at GCSE, presently following the Edexcel syllabus. Music and Music Technology are offered at AS and A level, both presently Edexcel, the courses often being tailored to the specific needs of the individual student. Pupils are prepared for the Oxbridge awards, and the school has an impressive record of organ and choral scholarships at Oxford and Cambridge.
Many pupils enter for Associated Board Practical examinations, and a large number take theory exams. The Members of the Music Department are responsible for accompanying candidates in practical examinations, and helping with aural training. Classes are given each week in the Rudiments and Theory of Music in preparation for Theory examinations.
Practical Music
Practical music making is an important feature of the Cathedral School. It is expected that instrumentalists will join one of the school's orchestras or bands. The Chamber Choir gives regular recitals around the county, and has recently appeared in the national finals of BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year 2008. The large Chapel Choir (over 100!) lead services during school chapel, in the cathedral, and are also presently preparing for this year's large outreach event in the cathedral singing Handel's Messiah. This concert will also feature Saint-Saëns Carnival of the Animals. Previous concerts have featured Mozart's Requiem, Jon Lord's From Darkness to Light and Vivaldi's Gloria. All works have present pupils performing as the soloists.
The Symphony Orchestra currently meets at Monday after school and Thursday lunchtime, and other instrumental ensembles also meet weekly such as the Junior String Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Band and Training Band. A variety of chamber music groups meet during lunch breaks, after school, and on afternoons. There are also numerous junior and senior recorder consorts and the Gilbert Consort (a mediaeval music group) meets periodically. Junior, Chapel and Chamber choirs sing occasional services in the Cathedral, around the Diocese and beyond. Musicals, by both senior and junior schools, are regularly performed.
Instrumental Lessons
Individual weekly lessons, usually of 30 minutes duration, at a cost of £16.50 per lesson, are offered in all orchestral instruments, organ, piano, harpsichord, guitar and singing. Lessons take place in pupils' free time, or in school time on a rotation basis; thus music lessons should not detract from a pupil's other studies. Instrumental pupils are required to practice regularly, and a timetable is organised for the younger pupils. Well over 400 girls and boys receive music tuition at the present time.
Music Department Staff
Director of Music: Mr. D.R. Evans, M.A., G.B.S.M
Head of Academic Music: Mrs M J Cuthbert, B Mus
Academic Musician: Mr A.W. Semple, B.A., CertRCO
Music Administrator: Mrs E. Portman-Lewis
Cathedral Organist: Mr G.R.L. Bowen, M.A., Mus.B., F.R.C.O.
Assistant Cathedral Organist: Mr P. Dyke, M.A., F.R.C.O., L.T.C.L.
Choristers' Welfare: Mr M Gacek
Instrumental Staff:
Mr G. Adams, F.L.C.M., L.T.C.L., oboe
Mrs S. Aston, A.R.C.M., violin and viola
Mrs C.L. Bowen, M.A., L.R.A.M., voice
Mr G.R.L. Bowen, M.A., MusB., F.R.C.O., organ
Mrs R. Davies, B.Mus., piano
Mrs H. Davis, L.R.A.M., violin
Mr P. Dyke, M.A., F.R.C.O., L.T.C.L., organ, piano and chorister theory
Mr S. Essenhigh, A.G.S.M., trumpet
Mr D. Etheridge, double bass and bass guitar
Dr C.A.H. Fisher, B.A., M.R.C.P., M.R.C.G.P., recorder
Mrs K.A. Fisher, B.A., A.R.C.M, piano, recorder, violin and music theory
Mr N. Gethin, M.A., L.R.A.M., 'cello and double bass
Mrs R. Griffiths, B.A., L.G.S.M., clarinet
Mrs H. Hammond, ‘cello
Ms S. Heins, Dip.T.C.L., violin and viola
Mrs J. Hiles, G.B.S.M., percussion
Mrs K. Hill, G.T.C.L., L.T.C.L., piano
Mrs C. Howell, G.R.S.M., L.R.A.M., piano
Mr M. Lane, B.A., F.R.C.O., L.T.C.L., piano
Miss E. Lawrence, G.R.S.M., A.R.C.M., L.R.A.M., A.R.C.O., flute and piano
Mrs C. Morgan, B.Mus., piano
Mr F.V. O'Neil, B.A., L.T.C.L., saxophone, recorder and jazz flute
Mr R.G.N. Rhodes, M.A., early music
Ms L. Richardson, B.Mus., guitar
Mr I. Russell, lower brass
Mr A.W. Semple, B.A., CertRCO, piano, theory and aural
Mrs K. Soulsby, A.R.C.M., bassoon
Mr M. Taylor, B.Sc., A.R.C.M., training band
Mr C. Tully, alexander technique
Mrs A. Wessel, L.G.S.M., flute
Mrs J. Williamson, G.B.S.M. voice
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