Music is offered at both AS and A2 levels, as is Music Technology and students of music are, naturally, encouraged to play a full part in the musical life of the school.

The choices within each specification are engineered to suit each particular group of students, so where one year group may study, for example, Popular Music and Jazz and Keyboard Music, another year group may study Orchestral Music and Sacred Vocal Music.

At AS level all students compose a substantial piece in their own style, either using software or on paper, and they also study compositional techniques of other composers and learn to reproduce exercises in these styles. At A2 a choice is made of either composing or performing to a high level of expertise. Listening and performing throughout the course are important elements of the EDEXEL A Level specification, so all students are encouraged to be members of the College Choir and Orchestra, in addition to performing as a soloist. Each year sixth form musicians give a concert away from school as well as in the college chapel.  

There are two main music teaching rooms and seven practice rooms, one equipped with digital recording facilities for Music Technology. Public performances take place in the College Theatre and in the beautiful neo-gothic Pugin Chapel.

Those who play the organ have a magnificent Binns organ at their disposal in the Chapel and the department also has a harpsichord and a first class Bechstein grand piano.

All Princethorpians are encouraged to take part in musicals, pantomimes, revues and plays, including backstage, and there are several productions each year.

Click here to view a list of visiting music staff.

Click here to download the Sixth Form Open Evening Flyer on Music.