Music and the Arts

Bruton aims to encourage the best in creative skills for all girls, from Preparatory level through to Sixth Form

Music

Bruton School for Girls has a very active music department with a wide range of opportunities for both instrumental and choral performance. The School has four strong choirs catering for all ages and performing music across a range of styles. There are numerous instrumental groups, including two school orchestras and a wind band, that between them cater for a wide range of ages and musical tastes.

A large number of instrumental lessons take place each week, covering all orchestral instruments, plus Guitar, Piano, Drums and Singing. These are delivered by a team of fourteen visiting instrumental teachers who also play a major part in directing the various school ensembles.  Associated Board exams take place at the school towards the end of every term.

Each term there is a Concert, Prep School Concert and a Recital Evening in addition to a regular series of seasonal church services.  Musicians at the school support a wide range of public events in the community and have recently performed in other local schools, churches and restaurants.

There is a purpose-built music school with ten sound-proof practice rooms, two computer rooms (with Midi/Sibelius), a recording studio (with Midi/Logic/Sibelius) and a large main Music Room equipped with keyboards, classroom percussion and a range of ethnic instruments.

Drama

The Bruton School for Girls Drama Department excels in regularly showcasing the talents of our dramatic performers.  Recent Senior School and Sixth Form productions have included “Someone Who'll Watch Over Me”, “Oedipus Rex” and “Return to the Forbidden Planet”.  Sixth Form and Fifth Form drama students have the opportunity to produce their own performances, which have included “Death and the Maiden” and “Hayfever”.  Our newly-developed 100-seat Hobhouse Studio Theatre provides our students with a professional standard performance space in which to perfect their talents.  But it is not just about performing.  Drama students are taught about all aspects of technical theatre and operate all aspects of the productions that take place.

Over the last few years, eight students from Bruton School for Girls have gained places to accredited Drama Schools to study both acting and stage management, achieving considerable success once they have reached the profession.

Students go on regular visits to see live theatre in Bath, Bristol, London and Salisbury.

Theatre Studies is a popular extra-curricular activity, and the Hobhouse Studio Theatre is used as a specialist facility for workshop productions and 'Speech and Drama' presentations, including the huge annual entry for LAMDA examinations.

Art

Bruton’s dynamic Art Department aims to encourage the best in creative skills for all girls, from Preparatory level through to Sixth Form. Art is popular at GCSE and A Level, with students consistently attaining outstanding examination results. In recent years both Fifth and Sixth Form students have achieved national recognition for achieving full marks in both their coursework and examination work. Many talented and successful students have moved on from Bruton to study Art and allied subjects at University and a number of our former students are currently working as textile and jewellery designers, architects, interior designers and teachers, as well as in publishing.

Visitors cannot fail to notice the vibrant pieces of art on display throughout the school, produced to an extremely high standard by girls of all ages and abilities. Upper School students have on many occasions showcased their talents at local and regional exhibitions and festivals, to much public acclaim. In 2009, two current Sixth Form students, exhibited work at a large art exhibition staged at the Royal Bath and West Showground, with Sophie George being awarded a prize for the  best work submitted by a student or graduate artist. Bruton students also recently joined forces with several local artists to arrange an exhibition of work to coincide with presentations related to the 2009 Somerset Art Weeks.

The Department is rooted in fine art, with opportunities to explore techniques in drawing and painting, textiles, printing, mixed media and sculpture, as well as traditional dark-room and digital photography. The Department enjoys a well equipped suite of studios including a newly developed Sixth Form studio.

Art teaching at Bruton is not limited to those choosing it as a core subject. Extra-curricular projects and activities offer students the opportunity to develop skills, pursue hobbies or simply relax whilst learning something new.

We believe that experiencing Art at Bruton is motivating and inspiring for all pupils and are delighted to welcome visitors to see the work for themselves