Sussex Exclusive Magazine. Issue 7

Those that
sing or play an
instrument may
find themselves
playing sideby-side
with
world-renowned
English
Chamber
Orchestra
musicians,
performing
at Lord’s and
Twickenham
(RFU)
at the school but equally important, the
immersive nature of music at Christ’s
Hospital brings with it many pastoral
benefits and life skills that equip students
for future success. Music lessons are
heavily subsidised and with social
mobility central to the school’s mission,
music creates an important method for
achieving this.
An astonishing number of
musical opportunities
There are over 630 music lessons held
every week at Christ’s Hospital with
over 60% of students learning at least
one instrument. The school has five pipe
organs on site, four bands, and dozens of
different choirs and ensembles including
the Chapel Choir, the Gospel Choir and
the elite Schola Cantorum. From gospel
to jazz, and from orchestra and chamber
music to musical theatre, both planned
and impromptu concerts take place
throughout the week.
Those that sing or play an instrument may
find themselves playing side-by-side with
world-renowned English Chamber
Orchestra musicians, performing at Lord’s
and Twickenham (RFU) or writing,
directing and performing their own music
in front of peers. All supported by the
nine resident members of staff and 34
Visiting Music Teachers which include
five singing teachers; three classical
specialists, and a jazz and pop specialist.
Of course, the school’s famous Band
(made up of over 100 musicians) often
takes centre stage, playing in the school’s
quad four days a week and taking part
in the annual City of London parade,
the Lord Mayor’s Show and marking
the end of the academic year with a
Beating Retreat. All Christ’s Hospital
students hear live music at least five days
a week (be that the Band, Chapel Choir
or one of the two lunch time concerts)
and all students also take part in the
much-acclaimed annual house singing
competition.
New Director of Music
Gabriel
In September 2023, James Bartlett MA
(Cantab) joined Christ’s Hospital as
Director of Music. Mr Bartlett read music
at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge,
where he held a choral scholarship and
sang with Sidney Sussex College Choir
and King’s College Choir. In addition
to his responsibilities at school, he’s a
professional singer, course director and
safeguarding lead for the Rodolfus Choral
Courses, and musical director for the
National Youth Music Theatre.
The importance of music
Apart from academic excellence, Mr
Bartlett is unwavering in his belief in the
importance of music in student life.
‘The ability to play an instrument or sing
and perform with others undoubtedly
equips students with the life skills they
will need in the future. Discipline,
perseverance, and internal motivation go
hand in hand with confidence, teamwork
and pride in your work. But as a school
with students who often come from
complex backgrounds, music is a great
equaliser. It offers opportunities for
success, and it also offers emotional safety.
There is science that suggests playing
an instrument or singing in a choir
improves cognition, memory and
health and there is plenty of anecdotal
evidence that musical qualifications are
valued by graduate schemes because
of the blend of skills and personal
characteristics employers know music
graduates will possess.’
Asked about the future of music at
Christ’s Hospital, Mr Bartlett, is
equally clear,
‘I am a "traditional" musician, but
my formative years were spent in
contemporary music. As such, when it
comes to the future of music at Christ’s
Hospital, I believe we have to embrace
three key areas: tradition, innovation
and community.
First and foremost, we have a
responsibility to maintain the school’s
musical traditions and exceptionally high
standards. That is part of who we are.
But we do also need to make sure
that music is relevant to students and
everyday life, and that means we need to
amplify opportunities for contemporary
music, whether that’s rap, rock music
or musical theatre. Traditional and
contemporary music should be afforded
the same rigour and respect, and they can
and should go hand in hand together.
There is
science that
suggests
playing an
instrument or
singing in a
choir improves
cognition,
memory and
health
Finally, and of equal importance, we
must also think about how we can
benefit our community. Music in schools
nationally is in decline, and with our
facilities and traditions, we have a
responsibility to create opportunities for
others. We already do a lot of work with
local primary schools, but we plan to
extend what we do.’
In the meantime, Gabriel’s success is both
a well-deserved and exciting example
of what can be achieved when you have
that combination of opportunity, talent,
support and drive.
Find out more about this extraordinary
school at:
www.christs-hospital.org.uk
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