Music

From Hark the Herald to Ella Fitzgerald, City's musical offering spans numerous seasons, genres, and abilities. Whether as a solo performer, part of a chamber music ensemble, or a member of one of our many orchestras and choirs, students at City have access to vast and varied musical opportunities.

'Parents praise the ‘musically sophisticated and ambitious’ concerts, ranging from Arvo Pärt to Broadway hits, with choirs also singing at St Paul’s Cathedral and London-wide events such as the Handel festival Big Sing.' - Good Schools Guide, 2025

Please click here to view our Spring term music calendar.

CLSG student playing the violin

Symphony orchestra

The symphony orchestra prepares major works from the classical repertoire and has various annual fixtures, such as the joint concert with CLS, accompanying leavers’ concert, the autumn concert and prize day. They have also toured various European concert halls. Recent repertoire includes Danse Macabre, works by Holst, Vaughan Williams and Lili Boulanger as well as movie scores by Zimmer, Morricone and Williams.

CLSG students playing clarinets and flutes

Sinfonia

Sinfonia performs a diverse range of music including classical and film scores and takes part in termly concerts as well as a joint workshop with CLS every year. The orchestra is made up of students from years 7 – 9. and focuses on film music and lighter classical works. They also sing in the annual Ironmongers’ Carol Service and take part in City wide partnership projects, celebrating in song famous Londoners such as Christopher Wren and George Handel.

CLSG students playing instruments on prep roof

String ensemble

The string ensemble is a small group of advanced string players. They play a wide range of repertoire from advanced chamber music to arrangements of tangos. They perform in a variety of concerts throughout the year, including the joint strings concert with CLS, the joint chamber music concert with Freemen’s School and our outdoor ‘MOAT Festival’

Photo of choir singers

Senior choir

On top of collaborations with the senior orchestra for tours and performances in termly concerts, the senior choir has an annual fixture at the carol service, held in St Giles’ Cripplegate Church. Sixth formers also have the opportunity to collaborate with CLS on repertoire for male and female voices, in both classical and popular styles. All the choirs explore a wide range of repertoire and there are significant opportunities for singers of all levels, from those wanting to challenge themselves to those who sing simply for the joy of doing so.

CLSG students singing

Junior choir

The junior choir is for students from years 7 – 9 and will perform in the junior concert and carol service, as well as collaborating with the equivalent junior orchestra.

CLSG students singing

Chamber choir

The chamber choir tackles challenging repertoire and performs at concerts both in and outside the school. Recent repertoire includes music by Monteverdi as well as contemporary female composers. The choir has joined forced in recent years with the CLS Chamber Choir to sing Mozart Requiem, Saint-Saens Requiem, and works by Bruckner and John Williams with orchestra. Members of the choir are invited to audition for the City Schools’ Camerata choir which recently travelled to Paris to sing Durufle Requiem in the American Cathedral.

CLSG student playing the cello

Swing band

The swing band works on iconic songs from films and musicals. They perform in the Sing and Swing Concert and the outdoor ‘MOAT Festival’ and contribute to the joint Winter Spectacular with CLS.

CLSG student playing the saxophone

Jazz group

The jazz group is made up of students with an interest in traditional jazz repertoire, such as Miles Davis, Ray Charles and Herbie Hancock. They perform in the Sing and Swing Concert, as well as termly concerts.

CLSG student playing the trumpet

Brass ensemble

The brass ensemble involves students from years 7-13. They perform in the Joint Chamber Music Concert with Freemen’s School and in lunchtime concerts throughout the year.

CLSG student playing the flute

Chamber groups

There are lots of small chamber groups who receive coaching from specialist music teachers, including string quartets, piano trios, a clarinet quartet and a saxophone quartet. The small group sizes allow each ensemble to be flexible about their repertoire choices; some groups even perform new student arrangements or compositions.

Photo of cut out music notes and notices on music notice board

Exams

The school supports ABRSM and Trinity music exams (practical, performance, and theory). The school offers classes in school to prepare students for upcoming theory exams.

Photo of CLSG student learning to play the organ

Oxbridge scholarships

For students wishing to apply to Oxford or Cambridge, the department is able to support preparation for applications for choral and organ awards.

GCSE results 2026

20 August 2026

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Our final day of term was packed with smiles, handstands, sponge baths, our charity fete and so much more. Wishing all our pupils, teachers, staff and wider community a wonderful summer! ☀️

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City Voices

3 July 2026

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