Welcome to St. Bees Music School, based in the Fox Music Centre. Here music and music-making are at the very heart of life in the School.
The Music School is a thriving, busy and exciting place. It is our aim to ensure that every pupil has the opportunity to appreciate and enjoy good music, whilst demonstrating their talent and discovering the joy of performing.
To contact the Music Department please ring 01946 828066 or email music@st-bees-school.co.uk
We have a well deserved reputation of being a centre of excellence. Music is taught at both GCSE and A Level. Individual tuition is available on a wide range of instruments and students can achieve Grade 8 and above through excellent one-to-one instruction.
Besides a School Choir and Orchestra, there is a Wind Band and numerous other small ensembles which meet regularly to practise musical pieces for the invitation and public concerts held throughout the school year. The Choir regularly sings at prestigious events across the County and the Orchestra often supports School drama productions as well as playing in St. Bees Priory.
Music Scholarships
Music Scholarships are available for entry into St. Bees at the age of 11 (Year 7) and 13 (Year 9). Pupils entering at Year 7 must have reached at least Grade 3 level in their chosen instrument in the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). Pupils entering at Year 9 must have reached at least Grade 5 level in their chosen instrument.
Music Award
An award scheme is an integral part of the Music curriculum at St. Bees and offers pupils the opportunity to attain special recognition in the form of Blue, Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for their significant contribution to the musical life of the School.
Pupils from St. Bees have successfully gone onto study at The Royal Northern College of Music, The Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama, Birmingham Conservatoire as well as Durham and Leeds Universities.
Music Roadshows
The Music School regularly takes to the road to bring its have-a-go workshops to local primary schools. The purpose of the workshops is to encourage children to pick up an instrument and play; anything from a recorder to a percussion instrument.
Our Director of Music, Mr. Hugh Turpin and St. Bees pupils armed with keyboards, trumpets and violins encourage primary children to practise for, and then take part in, a production for the rest of their school. The musical pieces are specifically chosen in order to reach a younger audience and The Lion King's 'Circle of Life' has become a firm favourite.
External Music Lessons
The Music School offers after school and weekend music lessons to pupils external to the School. For further information please contact Jane Bell on 01946 828066 or send an e-mail to music@st-bees-school.co.uk
Music School Staff
The Music School is led by Mr. Hugh Turpin, Director of Music (left). In addition to the School Choir and Orchestra, Hugh runs the Priory Singers and conducts the West Cumbrian Orchestra and the West Cumbrian Choral Society. He is a founder member of Lakeland Opera with whom he appears regularly as well as being an occasional recital and concerto soloist.
Jane Bell (right) trained at the Birmingham Conservatoire and is currently a clarinettist for the City of Carlisle Orchestra. She teaches Clarinet, Oboe, Flute and Saxophone and sings with the Priory Choir. She assists with the Symphony Orchestra, the administration of the Department and runs a variety of wind ensembles.
Gill Hudson (left) runs the Brass Ensemble and teaches music to the First Form (Year 7) and to the Sixth Form. Gill is an enthusiastic and very able Cornet and Brass player as well as being a very accomplished singer.
Margie Simper (right) teaches the piano and singing, theory and practical musicianship and aural group classes. She also directs the Gaudeamus Ladies Choir. Prior to coming to St. Bees she sang with the BBC Daily Service Singers at the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.
David Shirt (right) teaches the Violin and Viola. He was Head of Strings at Wellington College in Berkshire for many years. He played originally with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and has acted as orchestral leader to the London Chamber Strings. He directs the St. Bees School string orchestra.
A team of over 8 visiting music teachers instructs at St. Bees each week providing one-to-one instrumental tuition. Although pupils may opt to have private lessons outside of School, provision is made for any pupil who wishes to take lessons as part of the school day. Over 150 of our pupils learn at least one instrument.
