New Music School - Opening Season 2026

New Music School

Opening Season 2026

Welcome to A New Chapter for Music at Radley College

We are delighted to be opening the new Music School.

I know that as you visit, you will be impressed by everything the building has to offer: the magnificently refurbished Silk Hall, the new recital hall, the recording studio, the many practice rooms and, importantly, the architecture of the building with light and space. There is an air of calm and tranquility about it; it is a stunning new home for the Music Department.

In one sense of course, nothing changes. After all, music is about the people far more than the building they play in. And I have been amazed by the way in which the creativity and ambition of music at the College have continued, undimmed, during the period without a dedicated space – my thanks go to Precentor, Sam Gladstone, and his team as well as, of course, all the boys for how they have coped: magnificently.

It is right, however that we should have dedicated time and resource to this project. Prosaically, it is the last piece of a ten-year programme associated with the expansion of the College. More importantly, it represents a priority of all good education: to teach skills for life through music; creativity through composition; collaboration through ensemble; discipline through practice; confidence through performance. Most importantly, though, in a school which cares about beauty, emotion, collegiality and culture, music has to be at the centre of what we do. Emphatically, at Radley it is.

Enjoy the opening season and every concert you hear in this fabulous new building.

John Moule Warden

Introducing our opening season

We are delighted to welcome you to the Opening Season in the new Radley College Music School.

At the heart of the programme are the performances by boys at the school, representing the breadth and vibrancy of musical life at Radley.

From solo competitions and concerto performances to informal concerts; rock bands to string quartets; premieres of new composition to polychoral music from 17th-century Salzburg. Radley College musicians will be working alongside an array of exciting guest soloists and ensembles in masterclasses and performances, whilst hundreds of singers and instrumentalists from our Music Flood partnership will be filling the building with energy and sound throughout the coming months.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to our fabulous new performance spaces, as audience members or as part of the Choral Society. I hope you enjoy exploring the programme of events and discovering a little more about the wonderful musical life at Radley College.

Sam Gladstone Precentor and Director of Music

Opening Season at a glance

FEBRUARY

Mon 2nd

Mon 9th

Tue 10th

Thu 12th

MARCH

Mon 2nd

Sun 8th

Sun 8th

Partnership Event: Music Flood Orchestra

Drum Kit Prize

‘Gunn Cup’ Woodwind Prize

Hudson String Prize

APRIL

Tue 21st

Celebrity Organ Recital: David Briggs

Chamber Music Lunchtime Concert

Giacomo Smith and the Hot Five with the Radley College Big Band

Mon 9th Sir Stephen Hough

Celebrity Piano Recital

Tue 10th

Wed 18th

Thu 19th

Sat 21st

Guitar Prize

Music Scholars’ Showcase

Battle of the Bands

Partnership Event:

Thames Vale Youth Orchestra and Thames Vale Intermediate Orchestra Concert

Sun 22nd

Mon 23rd

Opening Concert

Partnership Event: Big Sing

Flamenco Evening with Rafael Lloyd Iglesias

Choral Society Concert Sun 26th

Organ Prize Mon 27th

MAY

Tue 5th

Sun 17th

Mon 18th

JUNE

Mon 8th

Ferguson Singing Prize

Max Baillie and the Lodestar Trio

Bands Night Acoustic

Partnership Event: Music Flood Orchestra

College Musical Concert Sun 14th

Summer Concert Sun 28th booking

JULY

Thu 2nd

Partnership Event: Dido and Aeneas Gabrieli ROAR

Tickets can be booked on the Radley College website: or via the QR code.

Many tickets are free. Where there is a cost, this is a maximum of £12 per ticket, with discounts for concessions. www.radley.org.uk/events

David Briggs

Monday 2nd March

8pm | Radley College Chapel

£10 | Concessions: £5 | Under 18s: free

... one of the world’s greatest contemporary organists.

A unique opportunity to hear internationally-renowned organist David Briggs on Radley College Chapel’s acclaimed 2021 Nicholson’s organ. Known for his unbridled virtuosity and passion for making organ music vibrant and accessible to a wide and diverse audience, David is one of the most sought after concert organists of his generation.

Earlier in the day, David will be leading a masterclass with four of Radley’s most promising organists.

The organ holds a central place in Radley College life, leading the full school singing in daily Chapel services. A programme of visiting recitalists, organ classes and workshops inspires our 21 organ pupils, as well as aspiring organists from across the local area through organ inspiration days. Three current pupils currently hold organ scholarships at Cambridge and Oxford colleges. Radley College is proud to be accredited by the Royal College of Organists.

Giacomo Smith & the Hot Five with the Radley College Big Band

Sunday 8th March

6pm | Silk Hall

£10 | Concessions: £5 | Under 18s: free

... an utterly inspiring presence to be around.

A celebration of jazz music with the Radley College Big Band and ground-breaking musician, composer and band leader Giacomo Smith.

His Hot Five is a nod to Louis Armstrong’s ground-breaking ensemble of the same name recorded way back in 1926. Smith’s ongoing exploration of this period of music is born of a fascination with an era in which genres of blues, ragtime, swing and Latin music all blurred together into a sincere and barely commercialised artistic expression.

Giacomo’s expertise and passion for this era and aesthetic of music have made him a regular guest on shows from BBC Radio Four, BBC6 and Soho Radio. In 2018 he was personally invited by Wynton Marsalis to perform at the Lincoln Centre for their 30th anniversary gala event.

Sir Stephen Hough

Monday 9th March

7.45pm | Silk Hall

£12 | Concessions: £8 | Under 18s: free

In piano terms he is an Olympian, a Nureyev-level genius: to hear him in full flight is to witness human physical and mental prowess at its summit.

The Spectator

One of the most distinctive artists of his generation, Sir Stephen Hough combines a distinguished career as a pianist with those of composer and writer. We are thrilled to welcome him to Radley College.

Named by The Economist as one of Twenty Living Polymaths, Hough was the first classical performer to be awarded a MacArthur Fellowship (2001). He was awarded Northwestern University’s 2008 Jean Gimbel Lane Prize in Piano, won the Royal Philharmonic Society Instrumentalist Award in 2010, and in 2016 was made an Honorary Member of RPS. In 2014 he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2022.

Opening Concert

Sunday 22nd March

6pm | Silk Hall

£12 | Concessions: £8 | Under 18s: free

A special concert to celebrate the opening of the new Radley College Music School.

The College Pipe Band will introduce the concert, followed by music for orchestra, concert band, brass, chamber ensembles and big band. The evening will feature two new pieces jointly composed by leading contemporary composer Cecilia McDowall and eight composers from Radley College.

Highlights in the programme will include Metal by Graham Fitkin, a short celebratory piece composed for the reopening of Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall in 1995, beginning with an untuned piece of scaffolding, along with selections from Stravinky’s iconic Firebird Suite and Woolfenden’s Shakespeare-inspired Gallimaufry.

Flamenco Evening with Rafael Lloyd Iglesias

Tuesday 21st April

8pm | Music School

£5 – to include refreshments inspired by the music of Andalusia | Under 18s: free

A special evening of Flamenco music with celebrated guitarist Rafael Lloyd Iglesias and guest musicians.

Rafael is a performer with almost 40 years experience. Following the start of his career in Spain accompanying dancers and singers, he toured with innovating flamenco group Salpicao.

From then he toured for years in Spain, Hungary, France, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Thailand, Singapore, Cyprus, and the UK. He has performed at festivals, concert halls and venues all over the world from the Southbank Centre to the Festival de San Isidro de Madrid.

Choral Society Concert

Sunday 26th April

6pm | Silk Hall

£10 | Concessions: £5 | Under 18s: free

The Radley College Choral Society joins the Chapel Choir and Choristers for a performance of Haydn’s Creation (Part 1) and Biber’s spectacular Plaudite tympana. The concert will also feature pupil soloists in Roderick Williams’ orchestrations of songs by George Butterworth, composer and former teacher at Radley College, as well as music for massed strings and orchestra.

Summer Concert

Sunday 28th June

6pm | Silk Hall

Free Event

A summer celebration featuring many of Radley College’s flagship ensembles. Highlights include Sibelius Finlandia and Grieg’s iconic Piano Concerto.

Lodestar Trio

Sunday 17th May

6pm | Silk Hall

£10 | Concessions: £5 | Under 18s: free

Lodestar Trio is a unique collaboration between stars of the Scandinavian folk scene Erik Rydvall and Olav Mjelva, and British violin virtuoso Max Baillie. Together they bring a spirit of groove and improvisation into Baroque music by combining traditional Nordic string instruments – the Swedish nyckelharpa and the Norwegian hardanger fiddle – with the violin.

The Trio has appeared live on BBC radio, been featured on German, Norwegian, Swedish and Irish national radio, on Classic FM, and has performed at festivals across Europe including Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Hungary, Belgium, and the UK.

Gabrieli ROAR

Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas

Thursday 2nd July

6.30pm | Silk Hall

A special partnership event between Radley College, the River Learning Trust, Music Flood, the Gabrieli Consort and Players, and partner schools.

Experience the timeless tragedy of love and destiny in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, reimagined in a powerful performance that brings together over 200 young voices. This production features a massed chorus of young singers from primary and secondary schools across Oxfordshire performing the opera’s stirring choruses. Interwoven throughout the performance are folk songs and sea shanties, thematically linked to the story of the opera.

Directed by Paul McCreesh, with Gabrieli Roar Creative Directors Charles Béquignon-MacDougall and Emily Dickens.

radley college new music school

Opening Season Programme

FEBRUARY

Mon 2nd

Music Flood Orchestra

Partnership Event

Drum Kit Prize Mon 9th

Tue 10th

‘Gunn Cup’ Woodwind Prize

Hudson String Prize Thu 12th

MARCH

Mon 2nd

Sun 8th

How to find us

Radley College

Kennington Road

Radley

Oxfordshire OX14 2HR

Use the QR code to access a Campus Map of the College. We are located just 10 minutes from Oxford, and accessible by bus from Oxford and Abingdon and by train from Radley station which is approximately a 10-minute walk.

On arrival at the College, the Music School (20 on the Campus Map) is located to the right of Bursary Reception (6) – turn right just before the Memorial Arch. Parking is available near the Music School in the Visitors’ Car Park (P) or via the Kennington Gate entrance (38).

www.radley.org.uk/campus-map

Celebrity Organ Recital: David Briggs

Chamber Music

Lunchtime Concert

Tue 10th

Wed 18th

Thu 19th

Sat 21st

Sun 8th March

Mon 9th March

Sir Stephen Hough Celebrity Piano Recital

Guitar Prize

Music Scholars’ Showcase

Battle of the Bands

Thames Vale Youth Orchestra and Thames Vale Intermediate Orchestra Concert

Partnership Event

Sun 22nd March

Opening Concert

Mon 23rd

Big Sing

Partnership Event

The Music Flood partnership brings together the Radley College Music Department, 14 local primary schools, three local secondary schools, a network of professional musicians, local charity the Abingdon Music Centre and the Thames Vale Youth Orchestra.

Our aim is to advocate for music in every school, every day, and to equip teachers and schools to deliver music as a core part of every child’s education.

The orchestral project is built on weekly ensemble rehearsals of bespoke orchestrations in partner schools and massed workshop days, leading to performances with over 300 young musicians – last Summer children performed alongside the Thames Vale Youth Orchestra at the Music for Youth National Festival in Birmingham Symphony Hall. This is complemented by a singing programme, support of school choirs, classroom video resources, teacher professional development, and visits by guest soloists.

Music Flood Week every September involves all partner schools in a celebratory week culminating in a massed celebration in Abingdon Market Place. At its heart is the leadership role of secondary school musicians mentoring primary school children and sharing their love of music.

FEBRUARY

Mon 2nd

Music Flood Orchestra

Educational Event

The Music Flood Orchestra brings together children from across the Music Flood partnership primary schools. At the end of the workshop days, there will be an informal performance to parents and friends.

MARCH

Sat 21st

Thames Vale Youth Orchestra and Thames Vale Intermediate Orchestra Concert

Ticketed Event

Join our local youth orchestra for a stunning concert of music by Brahms, Bizet and Stravinsky. For more information and booking details, scan the QR code.

Mon 23rd

Big Sing

Educational Event

Hundreds of children from across the Music Flood partnership join together in a celebration of singing, with special guests.

JUNE

Mon 8th

Music Flood Orchestra

Educational Event

JULY

Thu 2nd

Gabrieli ROAR Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas

Ticketed Event

A special partnership event between Radley College, the River Learning Trust, Music Flood, the Gabrieli Consort and Players, and partner schools. Directed by Paul McCreesh.

Music at Radley

Music is at the heart of life at Radley College.

The full school sings together (loudly and brilliantly!) almost every day in Chapel and, with three concerts, 30 rehearsals and close to 600 music lessons a week, every day is enriched by the joy of live performance, led by a world-class team of 50 visiting music teachers. Alongside orchestras, choirs and chamber ensembles, we have our own record label and host regular jam nights for rock bands, DJs and producers. It is a place of energy and camaraderie, with boys from every year group, from advanced musicians to those at the start of their musical journeys, making music together at every available moment.

Music at Radley: A Short History

Music has played a central role at Radley College since its foundation in 1847, when daily sung services were established as part of the school’s identity. Edwin Monk, the first Precentor, trained servitors –underprivileged boys who worked at the school – to sing in Chapel, preparing them for careers in the rapidly expanding Anglican choral tradition. Early organ music also flourished, with notable figures such as Sir Frederick Ouseley visiting the College. Alongside sacred music, pupils formed a brass band within the first year, reflecting the school’s broader enthusiasm for music-making.

From the 1860s the choir became a large ensemble of schoolboys, and Radley contributed to the development of British hymnody, with several staff and alumni

composing hymns and organ music that entered wider church repertoires. George Wharton, Precentor from 1862 to 1914, oversaw performances of major choral works and encouraged new compositions. The early 20th century saw the influence of composer George Butterworth, who taught briefly at Radley, introduced folk traditions, and inspired musical activity that continued after his death in WWI.

The Musical Society, founded in 1915, nurtured eclectic musical tastes and attracted distinguished performers. Over time, numerous Old Radleians built careers in music, demonstrating the school’s longstanding impact on British musical culture.

music in Numbers...

580 music lessons every week

120 concerts over the year

2,000 over children took part in music flood week 2025

130 boys in the Chapel Choir

47 weekly ensembles

37 different types of acoustic panel

65,000 bricks

Music Scholarships

Music Scholarships are awarded to boys who will make a significant contribution to Radley’s musical life and thrive as part of the school’s vibrant music department. Potential, a genuine love of music and an excitement about the opportunities available at Radley are the most important criteria for an award. Music exhibitions are also available.

As a guide, most successful award-holders are at least ABRSM Grade 6 on their principal instrument, and often significantly higher; however, musically communicative compelling playing at a lower level and clear potential for music growth can also lead to an award. Award holders will be expected to take music at GCSE, perform regularly and play a full part in our orchestras, bands and ensembles.

At the audition, boys will be asked to perform two contrasting pieces on their main instrument, a piece on their secondary instrument(s) and/or to sing. In addition, boys will be given a short piece to study for 20-minutes prior to performance and will be interviewed by the Director of Music. Boys are also encouraged to bring along any examples of composition work and/or to discuss their wider musical interests.

We encourage prospective applicants to speak to Radley’s admissions team about a pre-audition one to two years before entry to enable the Director of Music and/or Head of Performance to give guidance and advice regarding the application.

Music Scholarships are tailored to suit the individual to whom they are awarded, but could include:

— Free instrumental music tuition

— Free singing lessons

— Music scholars’ concerts

— Access to masterclasses with

— Leadership opportunities high profile visiting musicians international music trips programme within school and through our

— Opportunities to join biannual

Our boys are fiercely proud of Radley’s singing tradition and visitors are regularly left speechless at the quality of, and passion for, singing at the College.

In Chapel, singing is led by our 130-strong Chapel Choir which comprises our boys and 25 choristers. Choristers (between the ages of seven and 12) continue to attend their current schools. They receive free individual singing lessons, as well as free tuition on up to two instruments, subsidised places on international tours, Cathedral visits, supper in Hall and pocket money. We simply ask for a commitment to learning, a reasonably natural ear and a love of performing. Boys are selected after a simple interview and a voice and ear test. Use the QR code to find out more or email us at musicadmin@radley.org.uk.

Radley College Choral Society

The Radley College Choral Society welcomes singers from the wider Radley College community and further afield to join us for performances throughout the year. Recent highlights have included Handel’s Messiah (performed by the entire school), Poulenc’s Gloria and Haydn’s Paukenmesse. The Choral Society will perform Haydn’s Creation and music by 17th-century composer Heinrich Biber on Sunday 26th April, with rehearsals on Sundays 8th March, 15th March and 19th April. To find out more or to sign up, please contact musicadmin@radley.org.uk.

Music at Radley Regular Events

The College features a full programme of music events throughout the year, from informal concerts to large-scale productions such as the biennial College Musical and seasonal highlights like the Christmas Carol Services in Chapel. Details of the events which are open to the public are listed on the College website or you can join our mailing list by emailing musicadmin@radley.org.uk. Other events, such as the regular concerts and classes below are open to parents and the College community.

WEEKLY CONCERTS

Coffee Concerts | 15 @ 1:15

Weekly 15-minute concerts on Monday lunchtimes in Radley College’s Coffee Shop, featuring an eclectic selection of solo and ensemble performances.

Lunchtime Recitals

Weekly informal lunchtime concerts on Thursdays at 1.30pm in the Music School Recital Room, lasting around 20-30 minutes.

WORKSHOPS, MASTERCLASSES AND PERFORMANCE CLASSES

Performance Classes

Every Tuesday evening dedicated performance classes are run by our team of visiting music teachers, Heads of Section and visiting professional musicians.

Chamber Music Coaching Day | Tuesday 24th February

Chamber ensembles from Radley College are joined by groups from local schools for a day of masterclasses with visiting professional chamber musicians and teachers at top UK Conservatoires. A chamber music highlights concert on Sunday 8th March will showcase some of the best ensembles from the coaching day.

Venue Hire

Our premises and facilities are available for hire and we are proud to welcome a broad range of clients and events. In recent years, we have hosted the European Transplant and Dialysis Games, John Locke Institute, National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, and comedians Jo Brand and Alan Davies. Contact our Commercial Team to find out more: commercial@radley.org.uk.