Music

Stockport Grammar School provides exceptional musical opportunities for every child. We offer a diverse and inclusive programme of activities, through our curriculum and extensive co-curricular programme.

All pupils are given the opportunity to learn instruments with an outstanding team of full-time teachers and peripatetic music staff. In addition to being inclusive, we aspire to the highest level of elite music-making in our choirs, bands and orchestras. We have a significant number of pupils that have attained grade 8 and beyond. Many of our pupils also participate in regional and national music ensembles and at the Junior Royal Northern College of Music. A large number of former pupils have gone on to study Music at Oxbridge, UK conservatoires and other leading universities and pursue successful careers in music. Membership of our music clubs, ensembles, choirs, bands and orchestras is free of charge.

The activities on offer are intended to provide access for all pupils, including total beginners, in all areas of music and also pathways into music careers for those with outstanding ability. We have a large stock of musical instruments and an instrumental tuition scheme that enables all First Year pupils to have introductory lessons (free of charge) on instruments ranging from oboe, clarinet, saxophone, flute, bassoon, cello and double bass to the full range of brass instruments.

Stockport Grammar School has been awarded a Platinum Artsmark Award, the highest possible grading, by the Arts Council England.

Read more music news and stories from our Music department.

Fun, Friendly and First Class

Music Clubs

The table below shows the activities for the 2023-2024 academic year. More activities will be announced in due course. Regular commitment is required for all practices and rehearsals.

Current pupils will be informed of any changes by staff. If you have any queries, please get in touch with us.

Individual music lessons

Our team of highly qualified and committed visiting musicians provide specialist tuition, within a rotating timetable, to around 300 children each week. In addition there are around 250 private lessons taken outside school.

Parents that would like their son or daughter to start learning an instrument in school should fill out this form. For the 2023-2024 academic year, lessons are charged at £19 per half-hour lesson.

Visit the Peripatetic Music Staff page to see videos from some of the teachers.

The department offers an impressive and varied range of performing opportunities through an extensive programme of evening concerts and lunchtime recitals within school and high profile appearances in the Manchester area.

Access the 2023-2024 Music Concert Schedule here

In recent years, events have included concerts at the Royal Northern College of Music, the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester Cathedral and St George’s Church, Stockport. There have been recent tours of Belgium, Salzburg, Barcelona, Rhineland in Germany, Lake Garda and Venice and the Lake District, including performances in distinguished venues such as the cathedrals of Brussels, Bruges, Cologne, Ghent, Salzburg and St. Marks’ Venice and Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake.

The school chamber choir has also been featured regularly on the BBC Radio 4 Daily Service programme. There is a competitive music festival each year judged by a distinguished adjudicator, and opportunities exist for pupils to take part in musicals, such as the recent outstanding productions of Guys and Dolls, Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on the Roof and Les Misérables, Oliver and Godspell The school has also recorded a CD featuring the chamber choir, first orchestra, wind orchestra and big band.

We have had many representatives in local musical ensembles including the Hallé Youth Orchestra, the Hallé Youth Choir and the Kinder Children’s Choir. Several of our pupils have participated in national ensembles: National Youth Orchestra, National Children’s Orchestra, National Children’s Choir and the National Youth Choir.

Music Videos

The department offers pupils an impressive and varied range of performing opportunities through an extensive programme of evening concerts and after school recitals.

Below are a selection of some of these stunning performances. To see the full list, please visit the Music At SGS YouTube channel.

MARS Recitals

The Monday Afternoon Recital Series allows pupils to perform in an informal concert in the Hallam Hall.

The dates for the 2023-2024 Autumn term are 2nd October, 16th October, 13th November and 20th November.

These are free to attend and you can just turn up on the day.

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