ORCHESTRA

The Symphony Orchestra, one of the largest instrumental ensembles in the school, offers the opportunity for group study to players of any orchestral instrument. The ensemble exposes boys to traditional orchestral repertoire as well as lighter, more popular repertoire. Boys have to have reached a solid level of playing before they are invited to participate in the orchestra.

The orchestra performs regularly at school functions and events, including assemblies, concerts and the Bishops Classic Pops concerts in the Cape Town City Hall. Major works over the years have have included Piano Concertos (by Mendelssohn, Rachmaninov and Grieg, as well as Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue), movements of symphonies (by Berlioz and Mahler) and music from films such as The Lord of the Rings, Chicago, Avatar and Braveheart.

The orchestra rehearses every Tuesday evening and is currently directed by Joc Wrensch, one of the full-time music staff.

CHOIR

Music is an important element of daily chapel worship, and the school is renowned for its choral tradition. The Choir is a group of about seventy boys who produce the music for College Evensong and Carol Services. The School Choir, is the main component of the tri-annual Bishops Classic Pops performances in the Cape Town City Hall.

In 1999, as part of the ‘Bishops 150’ celebrations, the choir toured to England and performed in Salisbury, Winchester and St Paul’s Cathedrals, amongst others. Recent orchestral performances by the choir include Haydn’s ‘Little Organ’ Mass and Orff’s Carmina Burana. Besides their sacred slant, the choir also boasts an eclectic repertoire encompassing a wide range of traditional African folk music as well as contemporary ‘pop’ music. They regularly take part in choral competitions and choral festivals such as the Tygerberg Eisteddfod and ATKV-Applous Competition.

Jaco Goosen, the Director of Music at Bishops, currently trains the choir. The choir rehearses on a Thursday during the Open period and a Friday morning.

BRASS BAND

The Brass Band was founded by Graham Coote in 1972 and has a proud history. The band has played at many important functions, including the 150th anniversary of the Anglican Church in South Africa, and also plays a large role in the musical life of the chapel, regularly performing arrangements of hymns.

The band has performed at numerous important events, including celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. Beyond these major occasions, the ensemble plays a vital role in the worship life of the school, regularly performing hymn arrangements and providing music for services in the Memorial Chapel at Bishops. Their playing is especially associated with Evensong, where the warm sonority of brass adds a distinctive character to the liturgy and reflects the long Anglican tradition of excellence in church music.

Such was the strength and reputation of the band during its earlier years that it inspired the formation of a diocesan ensemble made up largely of former members. Today this legacy continues in the Cape Town Concert Brass, an ensemble that stands as a testament to the lasting musical culture cultivated at Bishops.

In recent years, the band has entered an exciting new chapter under the direction of Craig Nicholas. Bringing extensive experience as both a conductor and performer, Today, the Bishops Brass Band continues to thrive as both a musical ensemble and a formative educational experience, remaining a proud and vibrant part of the musical heritage of Bishops—honouring its past while continuing to develop the next generation of brass musicians.

The band rehearses on a Tuesday during Open period.

STRING ENSEMBLE

The String Ensemble serves as a preparatory group for the orchestra, while also providing string players with the opportunity to explore the rich repertoire written specifically for string ensembles. Bishops Diocesan College has a strong tradition of string playing—particularly among violinists and cellists—which the ensemble helps to nurture and sustain from the Preparatory School through to the College.

The ensemble performs regularly throughout the year at a variety of concerts and services, including Evensong, where the boys perform works written to the glory of God. They also participate consistently in the Kaapse Afrikaanse Eisteddfod and the Cape Town Eisteddfod. In 2025, the ensemble was invited to perform at the CCNF Ensemble Festival held at Cape Town City Hall.

The ensemble typically includes violin, viola, cello, and double bass, and often features a continuo part performed on harpsichord or chamber organ. It is directed by Maria Raynham and rehearses on Tuesdays during Open Period.

SENIOR MARIMBA BAND

The senior marimba band is for boys grades 10 to 12 at the College. The band can range in size from 5 to 10 learners.

The ensemble places a strong emphasis on learning music by ear. Fostering a spirit of interactive performance, engaging in physical movement, and presence in the moment. The repertoire focus is on African music and interpretations of pop songs. Boys are strongly encouraged to bring their own songs, compositions and arrangement ideas to the group to integrate and perform. The result is that the personality of the performance is a direct reflection of the boys who are in it.

The music regularly involves improvisation, call and response and use of auxiliary percussion instruments such as shakers and cowbells; all traits quintessential to the African music idiom. Recently the band participated in the successful Guiness World Record attempt for the largest combined marimba ensemble in 2025.

The band is directed by Langa Dubazana and rehearses on Tuesdays during Open period.

JUNIOR MARIMBA BAND

Junior Marimba is an energetic ensemble where Grade 8 and 9 students experience the excitement of making music together. Through rhythm, teamwork, and performance, students develop confidence, creativity, and a love for playing as part of an ensemble. It is a dynamic and welcoming space where students can grow musically while enjoying the spirit of group performance.

The band is directed by Joshua Klein and rehearses on Mondays during Open period.

WIND BAND

The Wind Band comprises the woodwind instruments - flute, oboe, clarinet and saxophone; the brass section - trumpet, trombone, euphonium and tuba, as well as the percussion section - drum kit and orchestral percussion instruments.

Repertoire is varied, from pop and jazz styles through to film music and classical symphonic pieces. The band performs regularly at various events such as school assembly, prize giving, Kaapse Afrikaanse Eisteddfod and WindWorx.

The band rehearses on a Wednesday morning and is directed by Andrea Rutter.

JAZZ BAND

Founded in 1998 by Shannon Mowday, the Jazz Band focuses on jazz, fusion, African, Latin, rock and pop genres with an emphasis on improvisation.They rehearse once a week and boys join the band by invitation only, with the aim of exploring jazz in a practical setting. Over the years, the band has performed at many concerts and functions, including as the curtain raiser to Starlight Classics at Vergelegen, the Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festival, Experience Bishops Day, WindWorx Fanfare, the Kaapse Afrikaans Eisteddfod, as well as the Bishops 175 Celebration Concert, where ODs were invited back to join the band.

The band is directed by Garth Kayster and rehearses on a Monday during Open period.

SIMPLY BLUE

Simply Blue is the school’s a cappella ensemble, made up of experienced members of the choir. The group performs lighter secular repertoire in close four-part harmony, ranging from contemporary arrangements to popular classics. Known for their warm blend and engaging stage presence, Simply Blue is regularly invited to perform at school concerts, special events and private functions. The ensemble has also represented the school internationally, touring to Argentina and Greece. Simply Blue is currently trained by Lente Louw and Vasti Zeeman-Knoesen, who guide the group in developing its musicality, ensemble work and distinctive sound.

They rehearse on a Monday evening.