At Christ College Brecon, the music and drama department have always been inclusive, offering opportunities for both girls and boys across all year groups, from Year 3 through to Year 13.
From age 7 to 14, pupils receive dedicated music lessons from specialist teachers, with many going on to study music at GCSE and A Level. Beyond the classroom, a busy programme of rehearsals is held each week in mixed groups, led by expert visiting teachers. These include ensembles for wind, guitar, percussion, brass, and strings, and the school encourages participation based on skill rather than age. This allows talented younger pupils to perform alongside older mentors, enriching the experience for all.
Soloists and ensembles have the chance to perform in weekly lunchtime concerts, as well as at formal end-of-term concerts, celebrations, and services, held in the beautiful 13th century school chapel and Brecon Cathedral, just a short walk from the school.
As a small school, with 112 pupils involved in ensembles and choirs, and 130 instrumental and singing lessons taught each week, Christ College can tailor programmes to the individual needs of each musician, depending on their age, potential and future goals. Pupils have the flexibility to study with the teacher of their choice, ensuring they can take full advantage of the many opportunities available during their time at school.
Kurumi, a music scholar in Year 12, has been involved in music since she arrived at Christ College aged 11. “I had experience of playing in student orchestras as a violinist before I came to Christ College, but since then I have been exposed to so many different and new opportunities, from supporting my fellow musicians in the house instrumental competition, through to playing Beethoven piano trios in lunchtime concerts with fellow pupils, as well as focusing on my violin studies in preparation for externally adjudicated competitions. I am now thinking of studying music at Oxford when I leave Christ College.”
The drama department offers pupils from age 7 to 18 the opportunity to develop their confidence, self-belief, public speaking, and performance skills through drama lessons integrated into their academic curriculum. Additionally, pupils can further refine their talents by taking LAMDA lessons. Currently, around 20% of pupils in Years 9–13 participate in private lessons, along with 25 per cent of pupils in the Prep School.
The co-curricular programme at the school offers a variety of opportunities to develop their skills even further. This includes the senior school production, which this year is ‘Shrek the Musical’, providing many students the chance to take on a leading role, developing their acting, dance and singing skills. The annual Creative Arts Showcase is an evening dedicated to celebrating talent and providing the opportunity for music and drama scholars to present their works. Louisa who has recently joined Christ College in the sixth form will perform during the showcase.
Louisa says, “I have always loved performing and started attending stage school at the age of four. I have a Diploma in Musical Theatre solo singing, Grade 8 in duet Musical Theatre singing, and am shortly due to take my Gold in LAMDA acting and I’m also preparing for my Grade 6 piano and Grade 8 classical singing.
“Christ College supports and promotes all aspects of performing with shows and concerts - I am so excited to be performing as Fiona in ‘Shrek the Musical’ this year. I am also a member of the Choir and Chamber Choir and I take BTEC Performing Arts alongside my other three A Levels. I hope to pursue an acting career in the future and I think that the Performing Arts course, scholarship programme and these extra-curricular activities as well as the house competitions (House singing and House Speech and Drama) are helping me continue to gain more experience in creative arts.”
This year, Christ College has seen an increase in girls joining the technical crew for the senior production, with a focus on training in set construction, lighting, sound, and stagehand duties. Helisent, a Year 9 pupil, is not only taking on the role of Fiona in her first senior production but also serving as a key member of the stage crew. Helisent is an ambitious actor who has previously starred in leading roles in their annual junior production, playing Moana and Ariel. She is also preparing to take her Grade 6 Acting solo exam this summer. The junior production encourages pupils' stage presence and confidence, with 100% participation from Year 7-8 pupils. Through this experience, they gain hands-on experience of working with set design, lighting, costumes, and sound, offering the feeling of a professional production.
Pupils at Christ College have the opportunity to work with professionals in the industry, such as Frantic Assembly, Squire Stage Combat, Splendid Productions and actors who are actively working on stage.
Sofia, a school prefect, will take to the stage as Fiona in ‘Shrek the Musical’ and has been involved in every production at the school since joining in Year 9. Sofia lives and breathes theatre, she is currently taking Grade 8 in Acting and has already gained Grade 8 in Speaking in Public. Sofia has also performed professionally outside of school as Matilda and Young Fiona.
House competitions are also a highlight across the school, with the House Music and Singing taking place in the Michaelmas Term, and the Prep School hosting their Eisteddfod in March. For the senior girls' houses, this is not only a competition against each other but also an opportunity to give the boys a run for their money! In the Lent Term, the House Speech and Drama competition will provide the opportunity for pupils to develop their directorial skills by taking on the role of the drama representative for their houses.
Christ College Brecon provides an all-round education for boys and girls, with day pupils joining from age four, and boarding pupils from age 10-18. The Good Schools Guide describes Christ College as “a small, genuinely all-rounded and exceptionally friendly school that makes excellent use of the National Park it sits within. Proud of its heritage but not weighed down by it, there’s a sense of tradition balanced by a light-heartedness. Best suited to those with a can-do attitude who like being busy.”