Schola Cantorum

In September 2020, King’s College School Music Department announced the introduction of the Schola Cantorum, a Choral Training Programme for girls, that would further develop and build on the previous work of the Girls’ Chamber Choir.

During the past year, as well as performing in School Concerts, the Schola Cantorum have sung concerts and services in Cambridge and further afield, including the University Church and St Clement’s Church in Cambridge, Chelmsford Cathedral, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Uppingham School Chapel, St Mary-le-Tower Ipswich, and King’s College Chapel.  In November they broadcast the Civic Remembrance Service from the Cambridge War Memorial live on Radio Cambridge 105, and in June they will make their London debut singing a lunchtime concert at St George’s Church, Hanover Square.  

Over recent years the school has undertaken an exciting reimagining of the school day, which has afforded the opportunity for pupils at King’s to pursue a number of specialist study and enrichment programmes, including choral training.  The Schola Cantorum have timetabled rehearsals just before lunch on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

As they progress through the school, members of the Schola Cantorum also have the opportunity to participate in the School’s specialist music training programme on Monday afternoons, that includes (for instrumental players) ensemble and orchestra rehearsals, alongside small group tuition of music theory and composition.  The girls are then also members of the School Choir from the end of Year 5 onwards.

In addition to the significant investment in weekly training and performance opportunities, members of the Schola Cantorum also participate in masterclasses and choral workshops with other professionals in the field, as well as the opportunity to learn by watching and listening to other choirs rehearsing and performing.  A programme of individual and small group singing lessons is also available. 

There are not any regular weekend commitments, although from time to time the Schola Cantorum will accept invitations to sing in concerts and services which will take place during the weekend.

Members of the Schola Cantorum are awarded a small bursary from the start of Year 6, in recognition of their work and commitment.  Each girl will be eligible for a bursary that is worth 50% of the fees for an individual weekly (term time) music lesson, to be taken with a music teacher in school, for one instrument, or for singing, in agreement with the Director of Music.