Chetham’s School of Music is a co-educational school for boarding and day students aged eight to eighteen. The School teaches a broad curriculum set within a framework of music. At the centre of every child’s course is a ‘musical core’ of experiences rooted in a determination to educate the whole person. There are two Principals, one focusing on Academic and Pastoral Care, the other on Music. Originally founded in 1653, through the Will of Humphrey Chetham, as a Bluecoat orphanage, the School was reconstituted in 1969 as a specialist music school.
The School numbers 339 students and there are 200 boarders. Admission is by musical audition, and any orchestral instrument, keyboard, guitar, voice, Jazz or composition, may be studied. Each student studies academic courses which lead to GCSE and A Levels, and to university entrance and conservatoire. The School stands on the site of Manchester’s original 12th-century Manor House adjacent to the Cathedral and is housed partly in the fine 15th-century College Buildings, and partly in the New School Building which houses all the instrumental, musical and academic teaching. The building also includes an Outreach Centre and two Concert Halls: the Carole Nash Hall and The Stoller Hall.
Music. Instrumental tuition is guided and monitored by Heads of Department in each specialism; they survey students’ work, conduct internal examinations and arrange for external professionals to give masterclasses. Internationally renowned musicians hold residences at the School and there are three Music Courses throughout the year. The Joint Principal (Director of Music) has responsibility for the full-time Music Staff and for about 130 visiting tutors. All students receive three sessions of individual instrumental tuition each week. Practice is rigorously set and supervised. Academic Music is studied at GCSE and A Level.
Boarding. There are two boarding houses for girls and boys aged 13 to 18 and one for Juniors aged 8 to 13. Each House is run by Heads of House in residence, with resident assistants. All full-time teachers act as Tutors and are involved with pastoral care. In addition, there is a well-staffed Medical Centre with Nurses, School Doctor, Counselling, Psychotherapy, Hearing Nurse and Physiotherapy.
Recreation. Chetham’s School of Music offers students a ‘Health and Fitness’ programme, which includes sports and fitness, conditioning and health, but also in respect of injury prevention as young musicians.
Chetham’s as a specialist music school has student wellbeing at its heart. Our holistic approach to student wellbeing is delivered by personal trainers and specialist activity leaders throughout the day and evenings following individual, initial information-gathering and needs analysis. The School’s medical staff, physiotherapist and caterers also contribute to the programme.
Applications and visits. Entry is by audition only. Preliminary assessment auditions are held throughout the year, with final auditions in the Christmas and Spring terms.
The Prospectus and application forms are available on the School’s website. Parents and prospective students are welcome to visit the School by arrangement with the Auditions Administrator.
Fees and grants. All entrants from the United Kingdom are eligible for grants under the Department for Education’s Music and Dance Scheme. Parental contributions are calculated according to means and parents on low incomes qualify automatically for full fee remission. The Director of Finance will be glad to advise about the scales.
Choristers. The School is a member of the Choir Schools’ Association and Choristerships at Manchester Cathedral for day boys and girls are available under a separate scheme. Choristers’ Fee: £10,872 pa (subject to Cathedral Bursaries).
Charitable status. Chetham’s School of Music is a Registered Charity, number 526702. It exists to educate exceptionally gifted young musicians.
Governors & Staff:
Joint Principal: Miss N Smith, BA, NPQH
Joint Principal: T Redmond, BA
Assistant Principal and Head of Sixth Form: Mrs J Harrison, MA
Assistant Principal and Head of Strings: N Jones, ARCM
Director of Finance: P Oberg, CA
Head of Middle School: A Henderson, BA
Head of Lower School: Mrs A Price, MA