There is rarely a day without a rehearsal underway in Senior Department: concerts, plays, musicals – performances are a perennial feature of life at Durham High School, impressive in their range, scale and quality.
Music lessons are part of the curriculum and further individual tuition is available in woodwind, brass, string and percussion instruments, as well as in piano and singing.
We make sure that there are opportunities for advanced musicians as well as for the less experienced to perform with our Orchestra, Wind Band, Ceilidh Band and three choirs. Musical styles embrace classical, jazz, popular, traditional/folk and pop.
One of the best ways we can help pupils gain self-esteem is through drama – in lessons and in extra-curricular activities. Working with others, pupils build trusting relationships and enjoy using their imaginations in the creative process. All pupils can take LAMDA examinations (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts), developing further their skills and confidence in public speaking or acting.
The number of pupils of all ages involved in our productions mean that they are truly whole school endeavours. From ‘straight’ plays to full-scale musicals, complete with orchestra in Durham’s Gala theatre, the opportunities are fantastic for them to play, to perform or to work behind the scenes with sound and lighting.
We are delighted that several of our recent alumnae have moved on to study music, acting or musical theatre in top conservatoires, having had an excellent grounding in the Performing Arts at Durham High.
