Introduction
Music is at the heart of Royal Russell. This flourishing and happy Department with its own purpose built Music School in the Performing Arts Centre is a hive of activity throughout the day and into the early evening. Pupils flourish in a caring and supportive environment in superb state of the art facilities. A team of 20 visiting professional musicians, many of whom play or sing with top London Orchestras and Choirs, teach an instrument or singing to over half the pupils in the Senior School. Many pupils play in the Orchestra, smaller ensembles or sing in one of our many choirs. Pupils have the opportunity to make music with each other, giving concerts within the local community or on tour abroad. The philosophy of the Department is that Music is for all and that with dedication, commitment and practice, pupils can achieve excellence. The Department has a 100% pass rate at GCSE, A/S and A level and also for Associated Board Practical and Theory exams. For details of Music Scholarships click here.


Royal Russell Singer to Perform at Royal College of Music - April 2012
Article Posted in Croydon Guardian, Thursday 12 April 2012. 
Following the huge success of their concert at Royal Russell School last October, award-winning Croydon singer, Nikita Bazil, and concert pianist Panos Karan, are once again sharing the stage, this time at the prestigious central London venue of the Royal College of Music on Thursday 26 April.


All that Jazz - March 2012
Royal Russell School were honoured and delighted to receive the invitation from Shirley Methodist Church to come and play at their highly attended monthly concerts this March.


Spring Concert - February 2012
The quality of performance was outstanding at the recent Spring Concert. This evening showcased a selection of the fine work which takes part in the Music Department throughout the academic year. 


Royal Schools of Church Music
Royal Russell Choristers are affiliated to the Royal Schools of Church Music – a choral organisation which covers the United Kingdom, North America and Canada. In recognition of their outstanding recent tour of Norway, the RSCM magazine features photographs of the Choir at work in Norway. Hugh Sutton, Director of Music also writes about the importance of achieving high standards in music through the ‘Voice for Life Scheme' and how this improves and complements high standards of academic achievement.


Original Song Compositions by Our A Level Musicians

'A Song of Enchantment' by Rose-Marie


'Funeral Blues' by Lucie


A Festival of Carols CD
This CD of Christmas Music was recorded in our School Chapel. In addition to hearing the Choristers, Barbershop and Choral Society singing seasonal Christmas Carols splendidly and with great gusto, there is a marvellous opportunity to hear a couple of Festive solos played on our fine Chapel Organ. The recording of Gabriel's Message was played on Christmas Day on Radio 2.Copies of the CD can be purchased from the Director of Music, Hugh Sutton.

'Gabriel's Message' 

'Ding Dong Merrily on High'

'Hark the Herald'


Chamber Choir
Royal Russell Chamber Choir comprises a consort of up to 16 Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Basses auditioned from The Choristers and Barbershop. Founded in 2004, its aim is to encourage students to explore advanced choral repertoire in a professional atmosphere.


'The Choristers'
‘The Choristers’ were founded by Hugh Sutton, Director of Music, in 1996.  At this time there were 12 members in the choir.  The Choir now numbers approximately 70 students who meet 3 times every week to rehearse.  The musical standard of the Choir is very high. Indeed the choir has achieved an excellent reputation for their work and they are very much in demand to perform in the wider community.  A number of the choristers are members of the National Youth Choir.


Senior Orchestra
The Orchestra performs a varied programme of music from the classical and popular traditions of the music repertoire.  The Orchestra was honoured to play for HRH the Earl of Wessex when he recently visited the school to open our new Performing Arts Centre.  Repertoire includes concertos when pupils of exceptional promise are invited to play solo roles as well as mainstream symphonic repertoire. 


Barbershop
The Barbershop was formed in 1997 by Hugh Sutton.  This is an extremely popular choir for boys whose voices are changing and which attracts a large number of teenagers who otherwise would be lost to choral music. 


Music Tour
One of the many musical highlights of life at Royal Russell is the annual tour.  Tours have taken the pupils as far away as Thailand where pupils toured at the invitation of the British Ambassador to Thailand.  Most tours however are made to European countries. 


Choral Society
Membership of the Choral Society is open to all parents, staff, friends and members of the Sixth Form.  There is no formal audition for the Choral Society although an ability to read music is an asset. The repertoire of the choir is wide and varied.  Major works from the choral repertoire are covered.  These include: Messiah – Handel, The Creation – Haydn, Nelson Mass – Haydn, Chichester Psalms – Bernstein, Belshazzar’s Feast – Walton, Crucifixion – Stainer, Requiem – Mozart, Requiem, Requiem – Faure, Requiem – Karl Jenkins, Bach – Mass in B minor.


HRH Prince Edward's Visit December 2010
One of the highlights of 2010 was the visit of HRH The Earl of Wessex to officially open our fantastic new Performing Arts Centre.  Prince Edward was very enthusiastic about the playing of the Orchestra and he was able to meet a number of Senior pupils after their short concert for him in the Music Department.


About Hugh Sutton Director of Music
Hugh Sutton (Director of Music & Precentor) began his musical career as a Chorister of Wimborne Minster under Barry Ferguson and later Christopher Dowie (former Director of Music at Royal Russell 1973-1977).  He went on to read Music at the University of East Anglia during which time he was a Choral Scholar and then a Lay Clerk at Norwich Cathedral.  In this period, he made numerous BBC and commercial recordings and broadcasts as well as regular international tours.