Individual Tuition

Everyone who learns a musical instrument is given a chance to perform every year. The House Music Festival is an annual event at which all pupils can take part and represent their house. Good players are given an opportunity to play to the school in assembly and the very best perform to the school in The House Music Final where they compete for house and individual glory. The Watford Music Festival encourages boys to perform in a more public setting and to be assessed and encouraged by an independent adjudicator.  The school has a good record in many events and enjoy supporting this local Festival.

We offer individual instrumental tuition at St John’s and at present there are ten visiting peripatetic staff who teach 107 boys. Many boys learn out of school and all boys are encouraged to be in our ensembles.

Individual instrumental lessons are given on the following instruments:

Piano, violin, viola, ‘cello, double bass, trumpet, trombone, French horn, Eb horn, euphonium clarinet, flute, guitar, drum kit and recorder.

Instruments are normally offered from Year 3.  During Year 2, boys are given the opportunity to observe older boys playing their instruments in order to help them decide if they wish to start.

Exams

We expect the boys at St John’s to take Associated Board Exams on a regular basis in the orchestral instruments and the piano.