We are enormously proud to be awarded the highly prestigious Platinum Artsmark Award. We are the only school in Sussex with this level of award and only 74 schools hold this nationally.
A lively, thriving musical scene
Music is an integral part of life at Eastbourne College. A high proportion of pupils study an instrument and there are numerous opportunities for all to get involved in activities ranging from, for example, the Chapel Choir to the Concert Band, to the Symphony Orchestra to the popular Singer Songwriter Club.
The Music Department is accommodated in the Birley Centre, a purpose-built music facility. The building contains an auditorium with a recently refurbished Steinway concert grand piano, a foyer and exhibition area, fully equipped recording studios, a rock room, and two music technology suites with Apple Mac computers, as well as specialised teaching, rehearsal and practice rooms.
Concerts of various kinds feature regularly in the school diary. There is a strong tradition of house-based music as showcased in the house reviews. The College has an envied tradition of congregational singing which manifests itself in the rousing singing in Chapel services and the popular ‘Congo, a’ weekly hymn practice. House singing and a capella competitions take place each year.
The College’s series of professional concerts provides pupils and members of the local community with the opportunity to experience world-renowned artists in an intimate and informal atmosphere. Recent performers have included the Dominic Alldis Trio, violinist Thomas Gould, singer James Newby accompanied by Joseph Middleton, and the King’s Singers who performed with the Chapel Choir in St Saviour’s Church as part of the College’s 150th anniversary celebrations. Watch the video below:
Recent Projects
Eastbourne Bandstand Concert 2023
The end of year Singer Songwriters concert saw the Jazz Band rock the historic Eastbourne Bandstand once again. Pupils from all year groups came together to perform in an evening of jazz standards, fantastic original songs and classic cover versions, bringing the house down with brilliant renditions of Uptown Funk and Hey Jude. An audience of parents, staff, pupils, friends and passers-by alike listened, danced and clapped to the superb sound of our talented pupils. All profits from tickets on the evening were donated to St Wilfrid’s Hospice.
Summer Concert 2023
The Summer Concert for Eastbourne College and St Andrew’s Prep took place in St Saviour’s Church and was a fantastic advertisement for music departments across our two schools.
Live Lounge Concert 2022
The Birley Centre hosted the songwriters of Eastbourne College to perform at the Live Lounge concert. With a full rocking band in tow, the pupils played songs of their own and choice covers. The singer-songwriter workshops are available to pupils from Year 9 to Year 13, and some of them continue to pursue careers in music professionally.
