Instrumental Music Groups

FIRST ORCHESTRA

First Orchestra contains the most advanced instrumentalists in the School. Rehearsing in the Great Hall, it provides a grounding in standard orchestral repertoire. Several CLS instrumental teachers coach sectional rehearsals. The orchestra has a termly Sunday afternoon rehearsal in addition to its weekly schedule. It performs each term at all major school concerts. In the Spring Term it rehearses with the orchestra of the City of London School for Girls for the annual traditional joint concert. The Summer Concert gives the opportunity for Senior Sixth Form leavers to give concerto performances and gives the orchestra experience in accompanying a soloist. It also occasionally accompanies the joint choirs in large-scale choral works. Admission to First Orchestra is by invitation. Players have almost always been members of Second Orchestra, though outstanding instrumentalists can join this ensemble immediately upon entry to the School.

Recent performances have included Brahms Academic Festival Overture, Saint-Saens Organ Symphony, Gregson Tuba Concerto and Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue.

SECOND ORCHESTRA

This orchestra of about 40 players provides orchestral experience and training to boys, usually in the Lower School. String players are grade 4 and above and wind players grades 5 and above, though a number are well beyond this standard. The Second Orchestra performs in termly concerts. Players are invited to join First Orchestra when a position becomes available. Recent performances have included Bizet L’Arlesienne Suite, extracts from Mussorsky Pictures at an Exhibition, Haydn Violin Concerto in G and Pirates of the Caribbean.

JUNIOR STRINGS

This is a flexible ensemble for boys who have not been playing for very long. Beginners are also welcome as some open-string work is incorporated.

STRING ORCHESTRA

This involves the best string players in the school. Regular concerts are given in school and in venues across London. Recent performances have included, Holst's St. Paul's Suite, Greig's Holberg Suite and Bach's Double Violin Concerto.

JUNIOR BRASS ENSEMBLE

This ensemble is open to all brass players up to approximately a grade 3 standard and is especially suitable for boys continuing their tuition from the Junior Class Scheme. The group plays music in a variety of musical styles and prepares boys for entry into the School’s more advanced groups.

SENIOR BRASS ENSEMBLE

This is for the most advanced brass players with one player per part. This is often a quintet but expands to suit different music for various occasions. It traditionally plays for the entrance of the Lord Mayor of London on Prize Day.

TRUMPET ENSEMBLE

This is suitable for the more advanced trumpet players for approximately Grade 5 and above.

TROMBONE ENSEMBLE

This caters for the many trombones at CLS. Players of any standard are welcome but it particularly caters for intermediate players hoping to move up to Senior Brass.

CLS HORNS

French Horn is so popular at CLS that there are enough players to have an ensemble of their own. They play arrangements of popular and classical repertoire.

JUNIOR WIND

This is intended to cater for junior woodwind and brass players who haven’t been learning very long. This mixed ensemble is seen as a training platform before moving into Second Orchestra.

CLARINET CHOIR

Using E flat, B flat and bass clarinet, this ensemble plays complex arrangements which challenge the many better players who cannot reach First Orchestra positions.

FLUTE ENSEMBLES

There are currently two flute ensembles; a Junior one for players of grade 1-4 standard, and a Senior ensemble for those of grade 6 standard and above. Rehearsals happen on a weekly basis and both groups regularly play at School concerts and events. They also form the basis of the flute evenings that happen towards the end of each term.

CHAMBER CHOIR

This is the main vocal ensemble at CLS and rehearses three times a week before school. The trebles consist of a mixture of enthusiastic singers including the choristers of the Temple Church and Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal. The tenors and basses are almost all ex-trebles who love singing and many of whom are past members of the two choral foundations. The Chamber Choir sings at many School events throughout the year including Prize Day, Evensongs, Livery Services and Corporate Receptions. The annual Carol Service is an important school occasion which takes place in the Temple Church.

Recent performances have included Faure Requiem, Britten Rejoice in the Lamb and Poulenc Gloria.

BIG BAND

Big Band is a twenty piece jazz, latin and swing orchestra. It plays at School concerts, functions and outside gigs with a repertoire including Film music themes, Sinatra tunes and Count Basie charts making for a well rounded and interesting concert program. Come and watch the band at our annual Jazz on the roof evening.

CLOSE HARMONY

The music is light hearted and the harmonies sonorous, a really fantastic group made up of the senior singers in School. Close harmony group is a male voice only group (Alto, Tenor, Bass). It sings songs from all genres incorporating Spirituals; Barbershop; Classic tunes such as Gershwin and Flanders & Swan.