Opened in 2014, the Chung Music School includes the 200 seat Ugland Auditorium, two ICT suites running Logic Pro X and Sibelius 7 software (enhanced by Native Instruments Komplete plug-ins), a soundproofed Pro-Tools-equipped recording studio with tie lines to all other major spaces in the building, a well-resourced Music Library, and numerous practice and rehearsal rooms.
Stowe is an All-Steinway School featuring Steinways and Steinway-designed pianos (Boston and Essex models) in all teaching and practice rooms, including a piano teaching studio containing two Steinway Baby Grands, and a Model D Grand in the Recital Room.
The Music Department holds regular events and masterclasses for pupils given by world-class musicians including Atsuko Kawakami, Joanna MacGregor, Darius Brubeck and Ryan Carey-Hills, and has close relationships with a number of high-profile artists such as Lang Lang who, during his visit in April 2015, was made Lifetime President of the Chung Music School.
There are around ninety musical events in the School year and it is not unusual for there to be several in any one week. There are regular concerts given by the pupils, often during one of the School lunchtimes. Major concerts take place throughout the year given by the Orchestra, Chapel Choir, Wind Band, Choral Society or other large ensembles. In recent years, the Choral Society has performed Haydn’s Nelson Mass, the Mozart and Fauré Requiems, and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. There is also an annual House Singing Competition in the Michaelmas Term, in which all Houses compete with both a unison and part-song component.
The Department works closely with the Drama Department to produce music theatre productions and music for plays. The School premièred the UK Schools Version of Prodigy in 2019, originally commissioned by the National Youth Music Theatre, with whom we have close links. In recent years the School has also put on very successful productions which involved pupils from our prep schools in supporting roles.
In the Summer Term, ensembles and soloists perform for guests at Speech Day. There is also a large pop concert produced annually in the Summer Term, attended by most of the School. Featured guest artists for this concert have included Roger Hodgson (Supertramp), Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet) and in 2022 we welcomed Tom Walker and Lulu.
We offer masterclasses in wind, brass, string, percussion, voice and keyboard. There are also numerous Prep School and community outreach days. Pupils regularly participate in local and national competitions, including the local Milton Keynes Festival of Music and Drama, and the South East Schools Chamber Music Competition. We have excellent ABRSM and Trinity exam board results.