MUSIC SCHOOL
The music school underwent extensive renovations
during 2002. It now houses two well-equipped teaching classrooms,
five offices for the full-time staff, nine instrumental teaching rooms,
a dedicated percussion studio, a staff room, two dedicated practice
rooms, the Hyslop Concert Hall, a recording studio, a SoundHouse for
music technology and two store rooms.
VENUES
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SoundHouse
The SoundHouse is a first for a South African
school. This is an exciting new venture which provides pupils
with the opportunity to experiment with Audio and Video Technology.
Click
here for further details. |
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Recording Studio
The Recording Studio is a sound-proof venue
which can be used by pupils and ensembles for cutting CDs of
their performances. Attached is a control room (which also links
into the Hyslop Hall for recording live concerts) which will
house all the recording and mixing equipment. A Kawai Grand
Piano is permanently housed in this venue. We are hoping to
be able to furnish this venue in 2006 with all the necessary
equipment to make recordings, as the emphasis for 2002/2003
was on completing the new building and equipping the SoundHouse.
It is also intended to hire the venue out to the public. At
present the Recording Studio is being used as a fantastic rehearsal
venue for the Orchestra and other ensembles. |
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Hyslop Concert Hall
The Hyslop Concert Hall was built in 1971
and is the venue that is used for many of the music department
concerts, including the Lunch-Time Concerts. A Yamaha Grand
Piano is permanently housed in this venue. |
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Percussion Studio
The Percussion Studio was added to the music
department in the 2002 renovations to house all of the percussion
instruments for teaching. These include a full set of timpani,
2 drum kits, several mallet percussion instruments and various
other percussion instruments. |
INSTRUMENTS
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War Memorial Chapel Organ
The main school chapel is fortunate to have
a fantastic Romantic pipe organ to accompany the choir and congregational
singing. This organ, built in 1933, has been used for many concerts
by both the school and other choirs in Cape Town. Over the years
the various Directors of Music at the college have had additional
ranks of pipes and stops added to the organ, and it is now one
of the finest organs in Cape Town.
Click
here to download an information booklet on the organs. |
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Chamber Organ
The Chamber Organ, which is housed in the Memorial Chapel, was
purchased in 2002 from Dr Barry Smith. The organ was originally
built by Mr Jimmy Riadore of Cape Organ Builders in 1972. The
organ was actually designed for Dr Smith’s home but spent
most of its time in St Georges’ Cathedral. The specification
of the instrument is as follows: Flute 8’and 4’
and Principal 4’ and 2’. The Organ also has a mutation.
This organ is ideally suited to be used in performances of Baroque
and Classical chamber, choral and instrumental works. |
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Harpsichord
The late Mr McLachlan kindly built and donated this harpsichord
to the music department in memory of his son, RG McLachlan (1962
- 1967). This is used for many of our Baroque concerts and is
in demand for concerts both in and around Cape Town, as it is
a fine instrument. Mr McLachlan is also the father of Grant
McLachlan (OD), one of Cape Town's well know composers or choral
and film music. |
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Orchestral Instruments
The music department has a large collection
of orchestral instruments which are available for hire by pupils
wishing to study those instruments. Further details about hiring
instruments by Bishops boys are available from the Department
Administrator, Mrs Sheila Roff. Contact Mrs Roff on 021 659-1036
or at sroff@bishops.org.za
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Pianos
The music department is well-stocked with
pianos for teaching and performing purposes. There are three
grand pianos for performing (two Kawais and a Yamaha) in addition
to two grand pianos and about 10 upright pianos for teaching,
and a further 4 practice pianos. The department also has a number
of keyboards for use around the school. |