Music

Music is a part of our heritage at St Joseph’s and we encourage all students to get involved.

We are very proud of our music facilities at St Joseph’s, and we encourage musicians of all levels to take part in our concerts and musical activities. In Senior School we have four formal music concerts, and six informal lunchtime concerts a year. In Prep we hold a teatime recital every term, an annual concert and a Carol Service.

The Music Department also provides instrumental or vocal tuition for over 120 pupils. Pupils are encouraged, although not expected, to take instrumental/singing examinations run by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and other recognised boards. We are an ABRSM centre ourselves, and many pupils take MTB exams which can be sat at any time.

Visits from professional Musicians and Partnership with Yamaha

Apart from termly trips to see concerts and musicals there is also a programme of visiting professional musicians delivering lunchtime concerts and masterclasses, including the London Mozart Players, who attend the College yearly to play alongside our pupils. We also have a partnership with Yamaha, which enables us to offer pupils top quality new, well maintained Yamaha pianos. Part of the collaboration with Yamaha involves sponsored visits from leading pianists to provide masterclasses with our piano pupils.

Drama

The Drama Department has a lively programme of activities that runs throughout the year. Our ethos with productions is one of inclusivity and opportunity.

Drama Productions

We have three annual drama productions which are incredibly professional and popular – which means double casts are necessary. Recently, over 100 students took part in the Year 9-13 production of Grease, 90 pupils participated in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and all of our Year 3 and 4 pupils were invited to take part in Starwarts. Prep Pupils also participate in a Nativity production every Christmas.

Speech and Drama Lessons, LAMDA and Musical Theatre

We have over 160 pupils across the College participating in Speech and Drama lessons. We currently follow the prestigious LAMDA (London Academy for Music and the Dramatic Arts) syllabus and we are a private centre for LAMDA. Pupils can opt to take either individual (solo) or shared (duo) classes. We also offer a Musical theatre qualification which is taught in conjunction with the Music Department.

Art

Art is a gateway to creativity, at St. Joseph’s we give pupils the opportunity to explore their own creative endeavours though the encouragement of risk taking and a series of stimulating activities that gown the confidence and technical skill of our young people.

Art Trips and Exhibitions

Every year the art department hosts several trips to encourage cultural engagement and encourage first hand research. At A Level pupils attend two trips a year that link their course work and exam studies, and our GCSE pupils have one curriculum trip a year. These trips vary year to year depending on gallery exhibition programmes and the exam questions. By visiting some of the world’s most prestigious institutions like the Royal Academy of Art, Tate Museum, British museum as well as trips abroad, we allow our students to see the most cutting edge contemporary and historical artwork. . In Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils enjoy an annual Arts Trip combining Music, Drama and Visual Art.

Our annual Art Exhibitions which showcase the work of our very talented GCSE and A Level pupils give our students an amazing opportunity to showcase their work and be part of a public facing exhibition. Students are part of the process of selecting, curating and hanging their work in a purpose built gallery in our large and spacious Drama Theatre.