Music is very much at the centre of our life at St. Christina’s. Every pupil takes part in twice-weekly music sessions where they have great fun learning key skills for performing, composing and appraising all kinds of music from lively Caribbean, through jazz, to serious classical styles. Each year we introduce different classes to the pleasure of attending classical music concerts at the Barbican presented by the London Symphony Orchestra, and we also take part in various music festivals and competitions.

The school presents either a whole-school production or various smaller productions every year, giving all the children a chance to shine on the stage and thus encourage their confidence and improve their teamwork. Past shows have included ‘The Wizard of Oz’, ‘HMS Pinafore’, ‘A Christmas Carol’ and ‘The Pirates of Penzance’, and we have even recently sung at the Royal Albert Hall as part of a children’s choir for the Sargent Charity, where we performed with various famous pop artists known to the children, but not necessarily to the adults!

Our weekly assemblies often involve public speaking and singing, presented by individual classes. We also include lots of music-making in our weekly mass, when instrumentalists are given many opportunities to accompany and enhance our worship. Every child is included in the choir, where they are encouraged to sing in parts as well as in unison.

The school is visited by various peripatetic teachers who teach most of the standard orchestral instruments, as well as piano and guitar. Aspiring performers may take the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music exams, including the exams for the jazz syllabus if they prefer, and we encourage and support children who wish to apply for the various music scholarships that are offered by the secondary schools, if they show promise and aptitude.

We believe that the study of and participation in all musical activities lays the foundations for a life-long enjoyment of the art of music-making, whether as a performer or as audience. It nurtures confidence and team work, develops problem-solving skills and provides a sense of achievement, while all the while supporting and enriching our life as a school community.