Durham School Music Department

31/05/2025

19/04/2025

Earlier in the academic year, composer Will Todd OD (L, 1981-88) recorded a new album in Durham School Chapel
https://youtu.be/un3-BgYp7D0

This new album is a collection of his recent choral works, featuring commissions from choirs both near and far. The central theme of the album is one of hope, intertwined with a deep concern for humanity’s relationship with the natural world and the planet we inhabit.

In Earthificat, Todd reimagines the structure and tone of the Magnificat, creating a new secular, environmental text. Renew Me in the Sunlight offers a lyrical plea for strength and renewal in harmony with nature. The album also includes Reverence, a movement from his secular mass M=pV, a work exploring environmental stewardship and our place in the cosmos, along with a setting of poignant words by the great nature poet William Wordsworth.

The album is rounded out with festive Christmas settings and other choral pieces. The music moves fluidly between classical textures for a ca****la voices and strings, and a more jazz-inflected sound world, as heard in tracks such as On This Night and Let All The People Praise You.

Todd collaborates once again with the acclaimed Newcastle-based choir Voices of Hope—BBC Choir of the Year 2016—whose artistry and reputation have only continued to grow. The recording also features the ensemble's director Mark Edwards, members of Todd’s own ensemble, and string players from The Alina Orchestra, making this project a rich and inspiring musical collaboration.

More details are available from Will’s website https://willtodd.co.uk/all-will-be-well-the-album/

25/09/2024

28/05/2020

Thank you to The Friends for their continued support of the performing arts at Durham School!

27/03/2020

The Chadeyron Music competition
Submit a video of you playing or singing a piece of your choice. One entry per pupil. If you cannot provide an accompaniment or backing track you can play or sing unaccompanied without penalty. 4 minutes maximum.
Submit your video entry by 17.00 on 15 May, preferably in MP4 format, using https://free.mailbigfile.com/, and send to [email protected].
Audio – only entries cannot be accepted. Please direct any questions to [email protected]

27/03/2020

https://youtu.be/deYEoY6D-uI

09/02/2020

A little treat to brighten your Friday, Durham School music scholars came to Aysgarth and gave spellbinding concert. The Chamber choir joined them to perform Howard Goodall's - The Lord is my shepherd, follow the link to enjoy the gorgeous song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GW0NRDiYgk

01/10/2018

Next concert is Thursday 18th October 6.30pm in the Music Studio.

20/04/2017

https://youtu.be/R0JKCYZ8hng
This is why musicians are so awesome.....

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-playing-an-instrument-benefits-your-brain-anita-collins When you listen to music, multiple areas of your brai...

20/04/2017

https://youtu.be/f2O6mQkFiiw

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-to-practice-effectively-for-just-about-anything-annie-bosler-and-don-greene Mastering any physical skill take...