The Schola Cantorum
A world-class choir for boys and girls
Excellence in
in harmony
St John’s Beaumont is proud to introduce The Schola Cantorum, a new choir programme designed to nurture exceptional young singers within a vibrant and supportive musical community.
Open to girls and boys aged 8 -12, The Schola Cantorum offers outstanding musical training alongside the rich educational experience of one of the leading Prep Schools in the country.
Through expert tuition, regular rehearsals and inspiring performance opportunities, pupils will develop musical excellence, confidence and a lifelong love of singing
The programme combines excellent music-making with the great traditions of a school founded in 1888, thereby creating a distinctive pathway for young musicians.
A message from Head Master-Elect, Mr Andrew De Silva
Welcome
I am delighted to announce the formation of The Schola Cantorum Sancti Ioannis Beaumont or, more simply, The Schola Cantorum.
As a former Cathedral Chorister and Lay Clerk, I have benefited enormously from my own choral upbringing and have seen first-hand how transformational world-class musical training can be. Such experiences can be life-changing, not only in terms of academic achievement but, more importantly, in the way children grow socially and emotionally.
As Head Master-Elect of St John’s Beaumont, I am deeply passionate about our exceptional school and warmly welcome applications from boys and girls currently at the school as well as those from other schools, whether independent or state-maintained. Having led schools in both the state-maintained and independent sectors, I am particularly proud that The Schola Cantorum will be open to all young singers to audition.
Through transformational financial scholarships and outstanding musical training, The Schola Cantorum will offer children an extraordinary opportunity to develop their musical gifts and flourish within a supportive and inspiring community.
Our school
The Schola Cantorum is based at St John’s Beaumont School. We are a co-educational preparatory school for boys and girls aged 3 - 13, offering a distinctive blend of tradition and innovation.
Set within 70 acres on the edge of Windsor Great Park, our independent school provides an inspiring environment where curiosity, confidence, and character flourish.
For over 135 years , St John’s has prepared children for entry into leading senior schools, with the capacity to learn and thrive long into the future.
From Nursery through to Year 8, students are known as individuals . They are encouraged to ask questions, to think independently and to take intellectual risks. In classrooms, on the sports field, in boarding houses and in performances, children learn that effort counts, that teamwork is valued, and that who they are matters just as much as what they achieve.
Reflective of our character as a school that combines heritage and modernity, St John’s is embarking on the most ambitious capital programme in our history, with transformational developments on the way, including a new innovation hub, a state-ofthe-art library, reimagined outdoor spaces, and new boarding facilities.
Learn more about St. John’s Beaumont at www.sjbwindsor.uk
A musical journey
The Schola Cantorum provides pupils with a level of musical training rarely available at preparatory school level. Choristers will benefit from:
• Individual singing lessons
• Music theory teaching
• Piano lessons and a second instrument
• Regular choir rehearsals and performances
• Recording and broadcast opportunities
• Regular international tours, with the first scheduled for December 2027
Our provision aims to provide our Choristers with the foremost musical opportunities available at any preparatory school in the UK. Pupils will work with leading musicians and will have the opportunity to learn from Dr Andrew Lumsden, one of the most respected cathedral musicians in the country.
Dr Andrew Lumsden
Dr Lumsden served as Director of Music from 2002 to 2024, where he led one in the world. Educated at the Royal Scottish Drama and an Organ Scholar at St John’s previously served at Westminster Abbey, Southwark Cathedral.
During his time at Winchester, the choristers
BBC Proms with the Berlin Philharmonic sang at Papal Masses in St Peter’s Square, winning albums, including a Gramophone he shared in a Grammy Award for the video game.
An internationally renowned recitalist awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the in 2023 for services to music.
journey
Music at Winchester Cathedral one of the finest Cathedral Choirs Scottish Academy of Music and John’s College, Cambridge, he Abbey, Lichfield Cathedral and
choristers performed at the Philharmonic under Sir Simon Rattle, Square, and recorded awardGramophone Editor’s Choice. In 2024 the soundtrack of a Star Wars
recitalist and choir trainer, he was the University of Winchester
A community of singers
Being part of the Schola Cantorum is about more than rehearsals and performances. It is about belonging to a musical community of fun and excellence. Choristers will rehearse together and share the experience of learning, performing and developing as musicians.
Whilst full details are being confirmed, the programme may well include a weekly Thursday rehearsal and boarding evening, providing time for musical development, community life and shared experience. On Fridays, the Choristers will have additional rehearsals and musical commitments.
Both day and boarding options are available, but the plan currently is for all Schola Cantorum singers to board on a Thursday evening in the newly refurbished boarding facilities at St John’s Beaumont.
Progression and development
The Schola Cantorum is designed to nurture young singers over time through a structured progression.
New singers will begin their journey as Probationers, developing vocal technique and musical confidence before progressing through the choir. Choristers advance through a traditional system of musical leadership, initially being Probationers (trainees) to full Choristers. This structure allows singers to grow in confidence, musical understanding and leadership.
Future musical pathways
Choral training at a young age builds musical excellence, confidence, discipline and teamwork. With the high level of training, we envisage members of the Schola Cantorum to gain music scholarships to leading senior schools. St John’s Beaumont already has an enviable reputation for sending children to some of the leading schools in the country, but also prides itself on sending children to the right school for them. With Mr De Silva’s extensive knowledge of senior schools, we would expect this to be the same for both girls and boys.
The Schola Cantorum aims to provide pupils with the musical foundation and confidence to pursue these opportunities.
Performance Opportunities
The Schola Cantorum will perform regularly within the musical life of the school and beyond. Planned opportunities include:
• concerts and special musical events
• recordings during the first academic year
• broadcasts and public performances
• outreach work with local schools
• Services in the School Chapel and further afield, including a planned international tour to the United States in December 2027
With the commencement of the founding cohort, Choristers will also receive newly designed robes, drawing upon the history of the school.
Applying
The Schola Cantorum welcomes applications from boys and girls aged 7–12 who:
• enjoy singing
• show musical potential
• are enthusiastic about learning music
Children should be able to sing comfortably within a treble range (approximately middle C to top G within their natural voice).
Previous musical experience is helpful but not essential. Enthusiasm, potential and commitment are the most important qualities.
The first intake of singers will form the Founding Cohort of the Schola Cantorum. These pupils will play an important role in shaping the musical life and traditions of the choir as it grows.
Auditions
Admission to the Schola Cantorum is by audition. During the audition pupils may be asked to:
• sing a simple prepared song
• complete some listening exercises
• demonstrate vocal range and musical potential
• pupils not already at the school will be required to meet the admissions criteria for the school
Auditions are designed to be relaxed and encouraging, allowing each child to perform with confidence.
Scholarships
Members of the Schola Cantorum will receive scholarships of 50% for both day and boarding options.
These scholarships are designed to support talented young singers and enable them to benefit from the full musical opportunities offered by the programme and the school.
How to apply
Families interested in The Schola Cantorum are invited to register their interest with the Admissions Office.
If your child is already at an independent school, any queries relating to the transition, including the notice periods involved, are best discussed directly with Admissions.
For further information on applying to The Schola Cantorum, contact: admissions@sjb.email
