The event was a wonderful reflection of a relationship that continues to provide enriching opportunities for pupils across both schools.

The joint concert showcased the exceptional musical talent from Haileybury and Haileybury Turnford, and we were especially pleased to be joined by pupils from Burleigh Primary School, whose performances added to the spirit of collaboration and community.

Our sincere thanks go to Richard Brain, Director of Music at Haileybury, and Sally Nicholson, Faculty Leader, Creative and Performing Arts at Haileybury Turnford, for their vision and dedication in bringing this memorable event to life.

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Haileybury is delighted to share that Richard Brain, our Director of Music, has been conferred with Associateship of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM).

Richard studied Choral Conducting as a postgraduate at the Academy from 2011–2013, and this honour recognises his significant contribution to the musical landscape as an alumnus.

Each year, the Royal Academy of Music confers Associate Honours on former students whose careers span a wide range of musical fields, from solo, orchestral and chamber performance to opera, jazz, composition, music education, musical theatre and artistic leadership. The 2025/2026 cohort of Associates and Honorary Associates reflects this breadth, celebrating both alumni and distinguished professionals who have played an important role in supporting the Academy’s work.

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Congratulations to Matilda (Removes, Alban’s), who reached the semi-final of the BBC Songs of Praise and BBC Radio 2 Junior Young Chorister of the Year.

Performing at the prestigious Hallé St Peter’s in Manchester, Matilda sang Bob Chilcott’s This Day. The judging panel included Gareth Malone, Michelle John and Harry Bradford, and the show was hosted by the Rev. Kate Bottley and Aled Jones.This was a tremendous achievement and she can rightly feel very proud of her performance.

The semi-final is nowavailable to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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The Chamber and Chapel Choirs enjoyed a spell in Norfolk last weekend singing at Norwich Cathedral and Little Walsingham Parish Church.

Beginning their tour on Saturday afternoon with Choral Evensong in the stunning Norwich Cathedral, the Choir sang a setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by George Dyson with solos by Charlie (Removes) and Oscar (Vths).

Accompanying this, were two music works by Herbert Howells – the choir anthem was Like as the Hart (a setting of Psalm 42) and Mr Ali’s organ voluntary Master Tallis’ Testament. After the service, Choir members were given a demonstration of the cathedral’s new Harrison and Harrison pipe organ by the cathedral organist.

The Choir stayed in Sheringham and in the evening they enjoyed an evening starlit walk along the beach and Mr Brain demonstrated his ability to create a legendary Choir quiz.

On Sunday morning, the Choir sang for Mass in the charming Anglican Church of St Mary and All Saints Church in Little Walsingham singing Richard Farrant’s Lord, For Thy Tender Mercy’s Sake, and Palestrina’s Sicut Cervus. Choir members then enjoyed some free time in the charming village of Little Walsingham which is also home to the world-famous shrine to Our Lady of Walsingham.

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The week commenced with two standout events. On 18 June, Dr. Gary Wade delivered the Arts Week Lecture, delving into the theme of the human chain of love in the poetry of Seamus Heaney. Later that evening Hugh Rowlands, Deputy Director of Music and College Organist, gave a mesmerising opening recital on the chapel organ. His performance included Bach’s extraordinary Passacaglia and Schumann’s evocative Canonic Etudes, alongside contemporary compositions by Martin Martin, Cecilia McDowell, and Judith Weir.

Throughout the week, pupils took center stage in a variety of performances and exhibitions. The three lunchtime “Soundbite Concerts” showcased the musical talents of our pupils, while “A Night on Broadway” on Wednesday evening brought the magic of musical theatre to life. Thursday featured two wonderful celebrations of Shakespeare, highlighting the timeless relevance of his works with intimate outdoor performances dotted around campus. The Speech Day Art Show Preview offered a glimpse into the creative endeavours of our pupils, and the long-standing tradition of Madrigals by the Pond in Great Amwell returned for its 81st year, enchanting audiences with traditional English madrigals and other secular music. “Pop on Pavilion” added an alternative flavour to the weekend, where soloists and bands took to the stage with contemporary hits and original songs.

The week concluded with a beautiful Festival Service in the Chapel on Sunday morning, featuring a feast of readings and music performed by the Chamber Choir and Chapel Choir. This service was a fitting end to a week that celebrated the artistic life of our beloved community.

The success of this year’s Arts Week underscores our commitment to nurturing and valuing the arts within our community. Congratulations to the hundreds of Haileyburians who devoted themselves to this dynamic celebration.

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The first stop of the tour was Kuala Lumpur, where the Choir led masterclasses with local musicians at the Selangor Institute of Music, culminating in a fun and wonderful joint performance.

The Choir then visited Royal Selangor, the largest pewter manufacturer of its type in the world, where the pupils enjoyed taking part in a creative workshop. It was then back to rehearsals in preparation for the evening concert at the Royal Selangor club, where the Choir sang to a fantastic audience of Old Haileyburians, prospective families and friends.

The next stop was Malacca where the Choir performed an amazing concert to a jam-packed audience at Christ Church. From Malacca, the Choir travelled to Singapore, then onto Darwin, Australia, where the group was welcomed by Haileybury Rendall School and stayed in their new boarding accommodation.

The following day, the Choir made the most of the stunning acoustics of Christ Church Anglican Cathedral in Darwin and gave an outstanding and moving performance in the evening concert.

After four days of performing and traveling, the group enjoyed a much-deserved day off exploring the beautiful Kakadu National Park, one of the largest national parks in Australia, where they were treated to incredible scenery and even some crocodile spotting!

The following morning was spent rehearsing and meeting with the fabulous musicians and staff of Haileybury Rendall, before heading to the Darwin waterfront for an afternoon of fun on the inflatables course.

Onto Melbourne the following day, where the group joined the Cathedral Choir of St Paul’s Cathedral for an unforgettable Evensong concert, before spending a day exploring Melbourne and meeting some of the local wildlife.

Finishing the tour in style, the Choir was excited to spend the twelfth day of the tour with Haileybury Melbourne pupils and staff at the Keysborough Campus and to perform in the packed-out Chapel at lunchtime before giving the last concert of the tour at Wesley United Methodist Church in the evening, singing with the fantastic Haileybury Melbourne Choir.

It truly was an incredible once-in-a-lifetime trip during which the pupils made memories and friendships they will never forget!

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The Worst Witch

lluminated by a whimsical set design, our youngest pupils united once again for this Olivier Award-winning stage adaptation of the popular classics by Jill Murphy. The story, which follows accident prone Mildred in her final year at Miss Cackle’s Academy, captivated audiences with a combination of song, dance, acting and magic. The show was so popular, in fact, that the cast performed to a sold out Ayckbourn Theatre three consecutive days in a row.

“The Worst Witch was a really successful production because it was such fun! It had a bit of everything: dancing, singing, a great band, a fantastic set, first class technical support and an excellent range of characters, brilliantly acted by the cast,” explained Mr Jacob Thomas, Director of Dramatic Arts.

On the clear impact the experience had on pupils’ courage, Mr Thomas went on to say that, “[the production] has fostered a love of performance for those involved, developed confidence and showcased the great range of talent within the Lower School. It’s an exciting prospect for the future.”

Der Wanderer: Songs of Travel

In the same week, pupils hit jaw-dropping notes during the Der Wanderer: Songs of Travel recital in Bradby Hall. Taking inspiration from Schubert’s famous lied of the same name, Haileyburians serenaded us with songs about travel and journeying. Each performance told its own story, upholding the traditional compositions of this Romantic period. It is interesting to note that this era of music was heavily inspired by art and literature, which is displayed in the songs’ vivid storytelling.

Many would agree that wandering is the perfect state of mind for creating art. Often when the body and mind are left to meander, ideas flow from within. Travel and journeying can be compared to the state of flow, the state all art is birthed from. An incredibly fitting theme for the song recital indeed.

“I was deeply impressed by the quality of work evident in this set-piece concert. The pupils invested fully in the preparation of their songs, with expert coaching from their teachers and Mr O’Brien, our wonderful Head of Choral Music and Voice. The theme of travel, of the everyman wanderer, and of eventual homecoming, proved a brilliant means of education for the pupils and a satisfying narrative for the appreciative audience. Congratulations to them all!” – Mr Simon Bland, Director of Music

In those moments where one misses the high note, forgets a line or stumbles during a dance move, we must feel reassured that these missteps only serve to build creative resilience. Every great artist was once a beginner and it is our unique privilege to witness and inspire Haileyburians’ paths to stardom.

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“Music at Haileybury has soared this term. From the massed choirs in Orff’s Carmina Burana to the jollity of Crash into Christmas, this has been a memorable and happy term. A personal highlight was the joy of seeing nine pupils performing concerto movements in front of an orchestra at the start of term. Since then, we never really lost the energy or enthusiasm gained that evening.”

Mr Simon Bland, Director of Music

Beginning the Autumn Term with a memorable start was the concerto concert. Several pupils flaunted their advanced musical abilities during their solo performances which were accompanied by a professional orchestra. Exuding confidence and grace, each pupil showed that they aren’t too dissimilar from the orchestra they played or sang with and that they too could become professional if they wished it. With such heartfelt performances, we are sure plenty of frisson rippled through the audience generously.

Next was the Michaelmas concert which included a symphony orchestra playing the adored works of Vaughan Williams and Ravel. Every hair was standing on end during the truly spectacular choral performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. The concert was made up of performances from the symphony orchestra, Lower School choir, Lower School cambiata, collegium voices, schola cantorum and chamber choir.

We then had a concert hosted by the Lower School’s chamber orchestra, concert band and other ensembles. The evening was a celebration of music that presented the pupil’s varied abilities in both group and solo performances. Their passion and skill radiated in every note during an exceptional concert that was in no way limited by their age.

Finally, Haileybury’s popular Music and Jazz department hosted Crash into Christmas which was an informal bounce into the Christmas season. The vibrant evening was packed full of a brilliant mix of both general and seasonal musical performances by the School’s intermediate and senior jazz bands, concert band and other ensembles. The Lower School Drama Club also performed four pleasant readings in the spirit of Christmas which were both humorous and poignant. It was a joyfully festive occasion that showcased the pupil’s vocal talents and stagecraft.

“We thank and congratulate all of those pupils whose endeavours have brought about a term of musical fireworks!”

Mr Simon Bland, Director of Music

The senior Drama pupils staged Freidrich Durrenmatt’s The Visit as the Autumn Term was coming to its final days. The pupils put on a remarkable performance of the tragicomic play, The Visit is renowned for its multiple locations, diverse characters, demanding techniques and numerous technical requirements yet the pupils appeared to tackle these challenges effortlessly. The production was a resounding success receiving five-star reviews from the audiences.

“After a shaky first night the final performances were triumphant: by burns chilling, hilarious, bizarre and thought-provoking. The hugely talented and multinational cast worked as a brilliant team, supporting each other on and off the stage.”

Mr Jacob Dylan Thomas, Director of Dramatic Arts

An eventful Autumn Term brought a spirited end to the year. We are excited to see what the Dramatic Arts and Music pupils will present in 2022.

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Almost 100 people – including parents, pupils, former pupils and members of staff, were able to tune in via YouTube as our talented musicians performed under the lights for the first time since March.

“After such a long period of silence, it was incredible to hear Bradby sing and ring again with our music-making,” said Director of Music Simon Bland.

“It was very special to be able to broadcast the concert and it was wonderful to take it to such a varied and widespread audience.

“We had people listening in from California and I also heard from members of staff who were watching from their kitchen tables here at home. Now we’ve done it, we can’t wait to do it again.”

Photo Gallery

Watch the show

Watch this space for news of many more virtual events to come.

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