ORCHESTRA

The Symphony Orchestra, the largest instrumental ensemble 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.

The orchestra performs regularly at school functions and events, including the tri-annual Bishops Classic Pops concerts in the Cape Town City Hall. Recent performances have included Piano Concertos (by Mendelssohn, Rachmaninov, and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue), movements of symphonies (by Berlioz and Mahler) and music from films such as The Lord of the Rings, Chicago 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. Bishops boasts two choirs. The Chapel Choir is a group of about fifty boys who produce the music for College Evensongs and Vesper, Confirmation and Carol Services. The School Choir, which consists of a further fifty boys, combines with the Chapel Choir for large-scale productions. The combined 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. In 2003, the Bishops Choir received awards for the Best Unison, the Best 2-Part and the Best 3-Part Choir in the Cape Town Eisteddfod.

The choir has recorded many times in the past ("Tour to Russia" and "Choral Vespers") and is at present recording all the commissioned choral works from the last 10 years. 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.

Mark Mitchell, the Director of Music at Bishops, currently trains the choir, assisted by Stephen Carletti.

BRASS BAND

The Brass Band was founded by Graham Coote in 1972 and has a proud history. Stuart Scott, Head of Music at Bishops Preparatory School, is the present Band Director. 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.

STRING ENSEMBLE

The String Ensemble acts as a preparatory group for the orchestra while also allowing string players to explore the beauty of string-only repertoire. Bishops has a strong tradition of string playing, particularly for violinists, which the ensemble helps sustain from Prep School through to College.

The ensemble includes violin, viola, cello, double bass, and often a continuo part played on harpsichord or chamber organ. It is directed by Lucia Scott and rehearses on Tuesdays during Open Period.

MARIMBA BAND

Originally founded by Gavin Coppenhall, the African Marimba Band has been managed since 2003 by ama-Ambush Marimbas, run by OD Ross Johnson.

The band comprises six marimbas (piccolo through double bass), djembe, and bass drums. It performs traditional Xhosa songs and Africanised versions of religious and pop songs. It is a popular ensemble with ongoing interest from new students.

WIND BAND

Founded by Andrea Rutter in 2004, the Wind Band includes woodwinds, brass, bass, and percussion. Its diverse repertoire includes pop, jazz, symphonic, and choral works. The group of about 30 rehearses Monday afternoons and is known for its vibrant energy.

JAZZ BAND

Founded in 1998 by Shannon Mowday, the Jazz Band focuses on jazz, fusion, African, Latin, pop, and rock genres with an emphasis on improvisation. They regularly perform at events such as Bishops Pops and the Lions Club Big Band Festival.

SIMPLY BLUE

Simply Blue is an a cappella group of senior choir members performing lighter, secular music. They have toured internationally to Argentina and Greece.

They are currently trained by Stephen Carletti and managed by Marion Bradley. Simply Blue is frequently invited to perform at private functions and supper shows.