Music is fully embedded in the life of the School. Many of our pupils are actively involved in performing and there is a wide range of opportunities to perform, from Pops Choir and Chamber Choir to Orchestra, Concert band and various ensembles. The Music department collaborates closely with drama in productions and musicals, and most recently produced show-stopping performances of Chicago and Oliver.

Many girls participate in two major concerts each year at Shrewsbury Abbey and St. Chad’s Church (which also include large combined choirs from Senior and Junior departments), and the whole school and many staff perform with their houses at our Carol Service.  There are informal concerts each term in school, and advanced pupils also perform in chamber concerts, public lunchtime recitals and special services at a variety of venues across the County.

Individual music lessons are delivered each week by our specialist peripatetic team, and musicians also play regularly with the Shropshire County Orchestras and ensembles. There are currently advanced players performing with National Youth Wind Orchestra and National Youth Orchestra of Wales, and studying at the Junior Academy at Birmingham Conservatory.

Musicians at Shrewsbury High School enjoy success across all areas of life at Shrewsbury High School with music benefitting the individual and whole school community:

• 96% of recent GCSE music pupils achieved 9-7, A*/A
• 81% of recent A level music students have achieved A*/A grades
• Recent music A level students have achieved Oxbridge places in music, languages and theology
• Music A level students have gone on to study medicine and vet science, where music is one of a very few subjects accepted, and indeed welcomed, as an analytical subject alongside biology and chemistry.
• Music A level musicians have gone on to study pharmacy, maths, English, theology, accountancy, languages, building management, as well as music at top universities and conservatoires.
• A third of the school perform in major Autumn and Spring concerts in St Chads and Shrewsbury Abbey
• Current (and recent) instrumentalists have auditioned successfully for the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, National Youth Wind Orchestra, National Children’s Orchestra, CBSO Youth Orchestra, and National Youth Orchestra
• Rosie Sherpa (violin) is the youngest member of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales
• More than 20 pupils have achieved ABRSM Grade 8 in the last five years
• Shrewsbury High School Musicians perform annually at St Chads ‘Music-in-the-Round’ and Shrewsbury Abbey ‘Wednesday-at-One’ lunchtime recitals
• Musicians entertain for charity events, such as Dog Aid in Disability, SSAFA, Wellington Mayor’s Charity, Save the Children, and have performed annually at Redwoods NHS Mental Health Centre.