Hinchingbrooke has a strong and proud history of making music in a wide range of styles. There are lots of ways to take part in music at Hinchingbrooke. As well as your class lessons, there are clubs and activities that take place during lunchtimes and after school.
We celebrate our music-making in termly showpiece concerts and an annual musical. In addition to this we organise chamber concerts and individual recitals. The student organised Glastonbrooke rock festival is an annual sell-out success, and is an event we as a school are hugely proud of.
Orchestras
Hinchingbrooke School is home to two orchestras.
The Hunts Community Youth Orchestra is for musicians of Grade 2-5 ability. HCYO rehearses on Thursdays after school (5.45pm– 7pm) and performs at the termly concerts. It is supported by volunteer teachers and parents and conducted by Mrs Crozier from Brampton Primary school. The aim of this orchestra is to give much needed opurtunities for young people in the local area to access playing in an ensemble.
The school orchestra runs after school from 3:45pm. We play a wide range of music and perform at all of the main concerts. Recently we performed the challenging sound track to the Lord of the Rings.
Both orchestras are open to students of all ages – 6th formers often take part in 2nd Orchestra and Year 7 students take part in 1st orchestra. Both orchestras welcome players on orchestral instruments. For example the string sections need players of the violin, viola, cello and double bass, and the brass sections need trumpets, trombones and French horns. If you are not sure about which orchestra you should join, please ask your music teacher for advice.
Choirs
Hinchingbrooke School has four choirs. Senior choir, lower school choir, pop choir and community choir.
Jazz, Rock and Pop
There is a strong tradition of Jazz, Rock and Pop at Hinchingbrooke. The annual auditions for Glastonbrooke – our annual rock festival are of a very impressive standard and choosing the final bands is always a challenge. The gig, held each February, itself is great fun and of an impressive standard, showcasing bands’ own pieces as well as covers.
Hinchingbrooke also has a Swing Band, they play Jazz and popular music. This band needs players of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, clarinets and flutes. It also has a rhythm section made up of one pianist, guitarist, bassist and drummer. Swing Band rehearses on Tuesdays after school (3.45 – 4.45), and has recently played pieces like I’ve got Rhythm and In the mood.
Musicals
The Music department works together with Dance, Art, English and Drama (and many other staff from different departments) to produce musicals that are performed in the Performing Arts Centre. Recently we have produced Les Misrables, Bugsy and Our House.