MUSIC AT CORDWALLES
Cordwalles has a vibrant Music Department, under the directorship of Mrs Lillemor Blunt, which is growing every year. The staff and boys have really enjoyed being in one centre and we look forward to the exciting structural changes which will take place in the future.
Senior Choir - this choir comprises boys in Grades 5 - 7. They are involved in the Friday Chapel services and the Easter and Christmas Services. The Choir performs at the annual Cordwalles Combined Choirs’ Evenings , undoubtedly the highlight of the year, in annual charity concerts and the annual Musical Revue.
Junior Choir - this choir comprises boys in Grades 3 and 4 and is led by Miss Liesel Witthoft. The choir performs on various occasions during the year, including the Music Revue, Easter and Christmas services.
Presently Cordwalles has 76 instrumentalists in its music programme. Instruction is offered in the following: Saxophone, Clarinet, Piano, Flute, Violin, Guitar, Drums, Recorder and Theory. Every term the boys are given an opportunity to perform for the school and their parents. Results achieved in the Royal School of Music examinations and Eisteddfods have been outstanding.
Orchestra
The Orchestra is being taken by Mrs Drienie George. There are 10 members and they play at various functions at school as well as outside of the school. For the past 3 years the orchestra have been on Music Tour and will once again be entertaining audiences in Cape Town this year. In order to further develop and grow the orchestra, we now offer recorder tuition during class time for pupils in grades 2, 3 & 4. We will soon be able to identify and encourage promising musicians in classes to join and also to start tuition in more woodwind instruments.
Djembe Troupe
This group is once again being taken by Mrs Lillemor Blunt. It is a very diligent and disciplined of 24 boys. The Djembe Troupe is for boys in Grades 5 – 7 who perhaps may not play a tuned instrument but have a love for music. The boys enjoy experiencing new rhythms and performing to new audiences.
Drum-Line
Boys who learn drum kit have an opportunity to join the drum-line where their learnt rhythm patterns are put together for performance. This year we have introduced a second drum-line to enable more boys to have an outlet for what they have learnt in their lessons. Drum-line 1 have been on the last three music tours and will once again be going to Cape Town this year.
Rock Band and Pop Idols
These groups are co-ordinated by Mrs Lillemor Blunt. The rock band have been involved in a number of performances for the school and outsiders, but their highlight was undoubtedly when they performed at the end of the first term at “Concert in the Garden” which was held at the PMB Botanical Gardens. They shared the stage with Jason Hartman and The Pixie Bennett Band. The group have grown in confidence and ability this year and are demonstrating their love for singing and performing more and more. They will once again be entertaining the crowds on our tour to Cape Town later this year.
Pop Idols grows from strength to strength every year and has become a highlight in the year for the boys 
& staff. This year there were just as many entrants, and the standard of the singing and overall performances was exceptionally high! It is wonderful to see so many boys with such confidence in themselves who are not shy to try and have a chance to perform on the stage. We will also not forget the superb talent of our very own headmaster and two deputies in their performance of “Girls just wanna have fun”.
Cordwalles is a school which is proud of its music tradition and the exposure to music which we provide our boys. Class music lessons are a combination of learning new songs, rhythm patterns, recorder tuition, composition, percussion playing and music appreciation. All tastes are catered for and the boys thoroughly enjoy all sessions. We are keen to ensure that as boys can be the best they can be in other areas, so they will be provided with the opportunities to do the same in music at Cordwalles.
