Chetham's Symphony Orchestra
Chetham's Symphony Orchestra has an outstanding international reputation as one of the finest young orchestras in the world. The CSO enjoys an impressive concert diary and has performed at venues including The Bridgewater Hall, the Barbican, Royal Opera House, Royal Northern College of Music, Royal Academy of Music, The Hall for Cornwall, Leeds and Huddersfield Town Halls, Chester and Durham Cathedrals, Selby Abbey, Westminster Central Hall and regularly at the Lancaster Concert Series and Lichfield Festival. Internationally, the orchestra has performed in the Netherlands, Spain, Germany the USA and the island of Ischia at the invitation of Lady Susana Walton.
Chetham's Chorus
Chetham's Chorus is constituted regularly from those pupils not involved in orchestral performance in large-scale concerts. It builds on the weekly tuiton received by all pupils in Choral singing, throughout the school. This reflects the philosophy of Chetham’s that all pupils should sing and develop their aural skills and musicianship through this activity.
Chetham's Chamber Choir
In recent years, Chetham's Chamber Choir with its Chorus-Master, Martin Bussey, has performed nationwide and has participated in the National Holocaust Memorial at the Bridgewater Hall, appeared on BBC Songs of Praise, and recorded music for the Chandos label of the film music of Richard Addinsell and Vaughan Williams with the BBC Philharmonic.
Chetham’s Symphonic Wind Orchestra and Wind Band
The prize-winning Symphonic Wind Orchestra and Wind Band were formed to further promote ensemble work in Chetham's Wind, Brass and Percussion Department, which currently leads one of the country’s most dynamic music programmes in the field. The department runs two ensembles, with the Symphonic Wind Orchestra being made up of many of the older students.
Chetham's Big Band and Jazz Ensembles
Chetham’s Big Band was formed in 1990 and has since enjoyed much success on the national jazz scene and laid the foundation for the schools current broad-based and highly successful Jazz Programme.
Chetham's Brass Band
The Chetham's School of Music Brass Band was formed in 1991 under the guidance of John Dickinson, former Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion. Since then the band has worked regularly with guest artists such as Howard Snell, Tormod Flaten, Chris Houlding and is currently directed by David Thornton (Principal Euphonium of Black Dyke Band and Euphonium Tutor) and David Chatterton (Head of Brass and Percussion).
