At Oundle, our Music Scholars play a vital role in shaping the energy and ambition of the department. The best Scholars are those who love their music - their enthusiasm inspires others, creates joy, and drives standards ever higher. With more than 700 pupils involved in music, the scale of opportunity here is vast, offering a range of ensembles, musical styles and opportunities. At the heart of it all is our key principle: music for all. Our Scholars lead the way in making that a reality, setting the tone and raising aspirations across the whole school.Richard Dawson, Director of Music
Ultimately, our aim is to ignite a life-long love and appreciation for cultural excellence and, for those performing, artistic endeavour. We place great value on our Music Scholars and give them every opportunity to hone their skills and excel in their art. We currently have around one hundred Music Scholars and Exhibitioners at Oundle and we are fuelled by their musical leadership to ensure our programme radiates quality for all. The Music department focuses on three main areas:
One-to-one lessons: Offering tailor-made instruction to suit the aspirations and rate of progress of every individual musician, from beginners to accomplished Diploma holders. Our programme encompasses competitions, masterclasses, and solo concert performances.
Ensembles: Over forty ensembles catering for all genres, tastes, and abilities. Each has concert opportunities carefully designed across the academic year, with many ensembles performing outside of Oundle in our extended communities.
The academic dimension: Our Music Scholars embrace our academic provision as much as they do performance, be it GCSE, A Level, Grades 5-8 Theory, or our popular Music Production programme that can be studied and graded like any other instrument.
The opportunities to accompany the choir and to play for services in Chapel week in, week out has enhanced my musicianship no endMarcus McDevitt, Music Scholar
RCM
We enjoy a unique and formal partnership with the Royal College of Music, whereby our Music Scholars work with RCM professors and students for the mutual benefit of both institutions.
Music Staff, offering bespoke learning programmes on a one-to-one basis, including Music Production and Alexander Technique.
Music lessons delivered each week
Performance opportunities
Teaching and practice rooms as well as a separate recital room, rehearsal room, technology studio and library
Ensembles
Organs in the Chapel alone
Pianos and a dedicated music room in each boarding House
Choirs including Schola Cantorum, Chapel Choir, Junior Choir and Music Theatre Choir
We are looking for passionate musicians with great potential. Candidates usually offer two instruments, one of which can be Voice, with at least one around Grade 5 level or higher, although it is not necessary to have taken the examination. Awards are made on the basis of an audition and interview in January of the year of entry.
We are looking for able musicians who can usually offer two instruments, with at least one at around Grade 6 level or higher, although it is not necessary to have taken the exam. We are always pleased to have applications from Cathedral Choristers. We host a popular and useful Training Day for potential Scholars (and their parents!) on the first Thursday in October, that offers training in various musical skills and masterclasses, when performance is assessed, and advice is given for greater confidence at the auditions in January. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of audition and interview at the end of January in the year of entry; there is no written paper.
We are looking for talented and dedicated musicians who can usually offer two instruments, with at least one at Grade 8 level or higher, although it is not necessary to have taken the examination. Awards are made on the basis of an audition and interview in November; there is only a written paper for those wishing to take up A Level music.
All awards are made on the basis of audition and interview; there is no written paper. Scholarship candidates are asked to perform two contrasting pieces on their first instrument and one on any other instrument(s).
Whilst it is not necessary to have taken the examination, the first instrument is usually at Grade 6 or higher for 13+ and Grade 8 for 16+. Candidates will be given sight-reading on the principal instrument, aural tests to assess pitch, tonality, and rhythm, and will be asked to sing a verse of an unaccompanied folk song.
The audition is designed to discover signs of natural ability and interest as much as to test actual performance; based more on potential than on actual attainment. Special encouragement is given to Choristers as we aim to offer one or more Scholarships each year to a Chorister from a Cathedral or Collegiate school.
To apply for a Music Scholarship or for any general questions or Scholarship assessment related queries please contact the Admissions office
Tel: 01832 277125
All Scholarship applicants are encouraged to apply for means-tested bursaries should they need financial support. We are proud that over one hundred pupils at Oundle are supported with bursaries and we are continually working to increase our Bursary Endowment Fund.
Talented candidates who have a genuine interest and ability in two or more of our Scholarship disciplines are invited to consider applying for an Oundle Scholarship. An Oundle Scholarship recognises and celebrates the qualities we look for in all our pupils: high academic standards together with significant commitment to the wider life of the School.
Assessment includes social and communication skills, mental dexterity, and the ability to influence and lead others positively by argument and example. Oundle Scholars are offered access to elements of the Academic Scholarship Programme, as well as to many of the enrichment opportunities provided for Scholars in their two areas of particular interest.
We are looking for passionate musicians with great potential. Candidates usually offer two instruments, one of which can be Voice, with at least one around Grade 5 level or higher, although it is not necessary to have taken the examination. Awards are made on the basis of an audition and interview in January of the year of entry.
We are looking for able musicians who can usually offer two instruments, with at least one at around Grade 6 level or higher, although it is not necessary to have taken the exam. We are always pleased to have applications from Cathedral Choristers. We host a popular and useful Training Day for potential Scholars (and their parents!) on the first Thursday in October, that offers training in various musical skills and masterclasses, when performance is assessed, and advice is given for greater confidence at the auditions in January. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of audition and interview at the end of January in the year of entry; there is no written paper.
We are looking for talented and dedicated musicians who can usually offer two instruments, with at least one at Grade 8 level or higher, although it is not necessary to have taken the examination. Awards are made on the basis of an audition and interview in November; there is only a written paper for those wishing to take up A Level music.
All awards are made on the basis of audition and interview; there is no written paper. Scholarship candidates are asked to perform two contrasting pieces on their first instrument and one on any other instrument(s).
Whilst it is not necessary to have taken the examination, the first instrument is usually at Grade 6 or higher for 13+ and Grade 8 for 16+. Candidates will be given sight-reading on the principal instrument, aural tests to assess pitch, tonality, and rhythm, and will be asked to sing a verse of an unaccompanied folk song.
The audition is designed to discover signs of natural ability and interest as much as to test actual performance; based more on potential than on actual attainment. Special encouragement is given to Choristers as we aim to offer one or more Scholarships each year to a Chorister from a Cathedral or Collegiate school.
To apply for a Music Scholarship or for any general questions or Scholarship assessment related queries please contact the Admissions office
Tel: 01832 277125
All Scholarship applicants are encouraged to apply for means-tested bursaries should they need financial support. We are proud that over one hundred pupils at Oundle are supported with bursaries and we are continually working to increase our Bursary Endowment Fund.
Talented candidates who have a genuine interest and ability in two or more of our Scholarship disciplines are invited to consider applying for an Oundle Scholarship. An Oundle Scholarship recognises and celebrates the qualities we look for in all our pupils: high academic standards together with significant commitment to the wider life of the School.
Assessment includes social and communication skills, mental dexterity, and the ability to influence and lead others positively by argument and example. Oundle Scholars are offered access to elements of the Academic Scholarship Programme, as well as to many of the enrichment opportunities provided for Scholars in their two areas of particular interest.
