Ripon Cathedral Choir School

General

When our Cathedral was founded in 672, Music was one of the central subjects in a rounded 'liberal' education. At the Cathedral Choir School today, Music retains it's central role in the life of every child who comes here. Indeed, all kinds of music is made with great enthusiasm from first thing in the morning until last thing at night!

Music Activities

We educate the cathedral choristers but have also two separate choirs of our own. We sing music in all styles from Schubert to the Snoopy theme! Our reputation for choral excellence and unique relationship with Ripon Cathedral afford exceptional opportunities for all pupils to sing in major events, occasionally with some of the biggest names in Classical Music. For example, the Senior Choir look forward to singing with Hayley Westenra in November.

Almost from the word 'go', pupils are encouraged to experience the excitement and artistic satisfaction of making music in an ensemble of some kind. Our ensembles currently include

Orchestra

Percussion Group

Junior Strings

Senior Strings

Junior Brass

Senior Brass

Cello Group

And there's more in the pipeline...

Instrumental tuition

We have a vibrant and distinguished team of instrumental music teachers and all pupils are encouraged to choose an instrument and then inspired to stick at it.

Director of Music at Ripon Cathedral Choir School:

J Wright MA (Cambridge), M Mus (London), ALCM, PGCE (Open) 

Director of Music at Ripon Cathedral:

INSTRUMENTAL TEACHERS     

Mrs D Critchley GRSM ARCM - Clarinet

Mrs N Dowell BA LRSM - Flute

Miss S Evans - Percussion

Mrs. Katie Stables LRNCM (Orchestral player - Opera North) - Violin

Mrs C Thomson-Jones GRSM LRAM ARCM - Brass, Piano & Brass Group

Mrs L Law B Mus (Sheffield) - Cello, Theory

Mrs K Ounsley MA BSc  LRAM Cert Ed (Nottingham) - Piano, Theory

Miss A Pelling BA (Birmingham) MMus (RNCM) Pg Dip (Royal Academy) LRAM - Oboe

Miss C Strafford BA Cert Ed (Leeds) - Singing, Theory

Mr T Walker - Guitar

Class Music

At RCCS the most up to date teaching techniques engage children in energetic lessons full of movement, often punctuated by gales of laughter. Lessons cover practical music including keyboard skills and music ICT, as well as theory and music history. Every pupil, regardless of ability and prior experience, should leave every music lesson a better musician than they were at the start. All pupils learn to read music and to sing in parts. Assessment for Learning is embedded in music teaching so that pupils are aware of the progress they are making.