Over 525 individual music lessons are taught each week and there are over 42 different musical ensembles...
Dulwich College houses the most important archive of theatrical documents that relate to Elizabethan theatre...
Music A comprehensive range of musical opportunities are available to all pupils. Some 525 individual music lessons are given on a weekly basis and most pupils who take instrumental and/or singing lessons perform in at least one of the 42 different musical ensembles. These ensembles are varied and cater to all musical abilities. There is a Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Symphonic Wind Band, Brass Band and Madrigal Choir, which are given performance opportunities at Cadogan Hall in Sloane Square and Southwark Cathedral and musicians often join up with JAGS and Alleyn’s School to give joint performances; there are percussion ensembles, jazz bands, rock bands and chamber groups who have the opportunity to perform to their peers and the local community. The College’s Chapel Choir sing regularly at services in the Chapel in Dulwich Village, including as a joint choir with JAGS, as well as in external venues such as St George’s Windsor. The Big Band, jazz bands and vocal groups have gigs at Pizza Express Live, and our chamber ensembles have a variety of performance opportunities.
Drama and Dance Edward Alleyn, the star actor of his generation and founder of the College, left the archive to the school and future generations of scholars; an appreciation of all things theatrical is part of the Dulwich DNA. Echoing the spirit of their South London ancestors, Middle School pupils seize every opportunity to take part in productions, House competitions, and theatre trips. Drama is a popular subject at both GCSE and A level. In Year 9, all pupils have a Drama lesson every two weeks taught in forms throughout the year, including dance skills introduced by our LABAN-trained specialist. The Edward Alleyn Theatre is our fully equipped, purpose-built theatre; it is a hive of activity, where pupils develop practical performance skills alongside production design and stage management techniques. By the end of the year, all pupils are expected to be confident with basic stagecraft and theatre terminology, as well as have a sound grasp of performance analysis.
A regular programme of concerts, masterclasses and competitions takes place across the school year, including annual House Music, instrumental, singing and composition competitions. There are also tours organised around the UK and abroad. About 80 pupils hold Music Awards and facilities at the College include a sound-treated pod for rock bands as well as percussion suites and Music Tech rooms. Classes in Alexander technique are available for all pupils. All pupils study Music as an academic subject in Years 7, 8 and 9 where lessons include a variety of practical elements as well as composition using Logic Pro X. Music is a popular option at GCSE and A level with many pupils continuing to study Music at university or conservatoire and going on to have successful careers in the Arts.
Many pupils also take LAMDA courses with specialist teachers in Acting or Public Speaking. There are excellent opportunities to deepen their interest in theatre through joint productions with James Allen’s Girls’ School, workshops with visiting theatre professionals, and experiences of both live and digital theatre. This autumn, pupils attended a West End production of James Graham’s PUNCH , and a trip to his play Dear England is planned for the new year - its portrayal of Gareth Southgate played by a former pupil. Year 9 pupils regularly take part in the staging of eight productions for the annual Middle School House Drama Festival. They also have the chance to participate in a scratch production; recently, 30 boys and girls performed selected scenes from PUNCH to great acclaim.
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