Private school Chetham’s school of music

Chetham's School of Music - the UK's largest music school

Chetham's school – the largest music school in the UK. It was founded in 1653, and in 1969 it became a specialized music school. The school is located in the center of Manchester, close to Victoria railway station, the National Football Museum and Manchester Cathedral.

Over the last 50 years the school has established itself as a central part of British music education. The school offers an excellent academic education along with an unrivaled music program. Student success comes from small class sizes, a motivated teaching team, and a school community that rewards hard work and excellence.

Everyone who visits Chetham notes the warm, friendly atmosphere and real sense of community at the school. For most of the students at Chethams – This is not only a school, but also a home. For all of them, it is a musical community in which everyone has a role - a place where their passion and commitment to music resonates with students and staff alike.

The school has about 300 students.

Directors (2026)

Nicola Smith and Tom Redmond.

Famous school graduates

• Stephen Howe is considered one of Britain's leading pianists and polymaths.
• Peter Moore, trombone and Jennifer Pike, violin, won the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. at the age of 12.
• Alexander Bone, saxophone, first ever winner of the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year.
• Max Beesley, drummer for Take That and Jamiroquai, went on to become a successful actor.
• Roger Wright is director of the BBC Proms and Aldeburgh Music.
• Guy Johnston, cello, BRIT Award winner in the Young Classical Artist category.

Key factors

• Despite the fact that the school specializes in music, many students go to university for non-musical majors: law, medicine, archeology, German, engineering, mathematics and much more.
• Chetham's – it is an international community with students from the UK and all over the world. This diversity promotes a natural awareness and acceptance of the different perspectives, beliefs and cultures brought together by music.
• After lessons, students devote 2-3 hours a day to music classes, including individual lessons in playing the first and second instruments and ensemble rehearsals.
• Modern school campus with more than a hundred classrooms.
• Many opportunities for musical practice and performance throughout the year, both in and outside of school.
• School students play at a professional level. They work with outstanding musicians of the world, perform as soloists, members of ensembles, improvise, compose music, and perform on stage.
• Admission to school after successfully passing the audition.

Equipment

There are several buildings on the school grounds: the main building was built in the 15th century, buildings with residences for boys and girls. In 2012, the Chetham capital project was completed. The school's facilities have been transformed with the opening of the new building, housing most of the classrooms and all of the music classrooms, as well as two performance spaces. In 2017, The Stoller Hall opened, a stunning 500-seat performance venue.

The music technology department is located in specially built premises. Recording studios are based on industry standard Pro Tools HD systems. There is a Yamaha grand piano, guitar and bass amplifiers, and a drum kit housed in a separate drum booth. The second studio contains a drum kit and an electric piano. The school has professional computer equipment for sound recording, with Apple iMac computers running Logic Pro X, Audacity and Sibelius software.

Program

GCSE

Two-year program to obtain a certificate of general secondary education. 6 subjects are required to study, 4 subjects are studied electively.
What is the difference between IGCSE and GCSE programmes?

A-level

Two-year program to prepare for entering the university. Students choose 4 or 5 subjects for in-depth study.
Find out more about A-level program

Accommodation and accommodation

Accommodation in a residence on the school grounds in one of 3 houses, depending on age. Students live in rooms for 4 people, high school students live in single and double rooms.

Sports and extra activities

In free time, the school offers various extracurricular activities. Children use the swimming pool, gym, as well as kung fu, zumba and ballet classes. In addition, you can play computer games, board games, billiards, table tennis and much more. Weekend trips to rock climbing, mountain biking, cinema and theater are available.

Music

Students join one of the school's eight music departments.

1. String instruments: violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, guitar.
2. Wind instruments: horn, trumpet, cornet, trombone, euphonium, tuba.
3. Keyboard instruments: piano, clavichord, organ, celesta.
4. Woodwind instruments: flute, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, oboe, recorder.
5. Jazz: traditional, modern, improvisation.
6. Percussion instruments: orchestral, drum kit, Latin, jazz.
7. Vocal: opera, musical, solo, choir.
8. Composing music: classical, modern, instrumental, vocal.

Children can learn music technology: recording techniques, sequencing, sampling, synthesis, arrangement and composition. Work with a range of popular musical styles, and develop arranging and composing skills using technology as a foundation.

Students always have opportunities to expand their musical lives: singing, composing, joining a jazz improvisation class, trying their hand at composing, or performing with over a hundred school ensembles.

Each school week is scheduled individually for each child and includes individual lessons, rehearsals, practice and academic music classes. From the first day, the school helps each student find their own musical path, no matter whether music is a future profession or a lifelong passion.

Each week includes:

• 1.5 hours of individual training on the first instrument.
• 30 minutes of individual training on the second instrument – usually, but not always, piano.
• Daily practice with teacher support (grades 4-11) or independent practice (grades 12-13).
• Chamber music lessons.
• Weekly music block including performing arts activities with peer feedback.
• Opportunity to perform at one of eight weekly lunchtime concerts or additional performances.
• Music lessons in the curriculum, including music theory and music technology.
• Sports activities that promote good posture and improve body stability during play.
• Attending performances by other students and providing constructive feedback.

The school hosts eight lunchtime concerts each week. Each student can hone their skills in performing solo in front of an audience.

Chamber music – This is an important part of music education at Chetham, with every student playing in at least one chamber group. Each spring semester, approximately 100 of the school's chamber ensembles perform in concert in front of the entire school.

A busy program of performances throughout the year gives students opportunities to perform throughout the region and beyond, as well as applying for solo performances with larger school ensembles. Three times a year, a special 'Music Course' takes place over the course of a week, where the whole school focuses on honing their music performance skills, and the school's two orchestras perform at major venues in Manchester and beyond. Performances also took place in London, Norway and the Bay of Naples. After Chetham's students already have an international performing career!

Cost, 2026-2027

£18,316 per semester.
There are 3 semesters in the academic year.

Included in price

• Training
• Accommodation and meals

Additional charge

• Registration fee - £216
• Deposit - £900
• Audition for admission - £162
• Training to play an additional instrument - £1,331 per year
• Air travel
• Transfers to/from/airport
• Visa
• Educational company services
• Selection of a guardian, which is a mandatory requirement of a British school

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