Julian Ross started his musical education as a chorister at St Paul's Cathedral and later studied the organ with David Saint at the Birmingham Conservatoire, gaining a first class music degree and winning the BMus course prize. Whilst furthering his studies at the University of Durham, he was Organ Scholar at University College, where as well as playing the organ he directed the Chapel Choir. As a singer he has been a Choral Scholar at Lichfield Cathedral, a member of ‘Ex Cathedra’ and currently sings as a Deputy Lay Clerk at Canterbury Cathedral. Prior to taking up his position at Kent College in 2010, he was Director of Music at Arnold School in Blackpool and previously Assistant Director of Music at Blundell's School in Devon. As well as working extensively as a conductor of instrumental and choral groups, he is an experienced teacher of GCSE, A level and IB music, and is proud to have guided many students successfully towards studying music beyond school at leading Universities and Conservatoires.

Jackie Spencer has been Director of Music at Kent College Junior School for 15 years. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, her principal study was piano with second study violin. She teaches class music throughout the Junior School, directs the Junior School Choir, Kent College Choristers and the Junior School Orchestra as well as running the GREAT Music programme for accelerated learning. She is an experienced choir trainer and conductor. Her reputation as a first-class trainer of young voices is reflected in the achievements of the various choirs under her direction, in particular the Kent College Choristers, who have a national and international reputation. The high standard of the choirs and orchestra at the Junior School is a testament to the work done in class music, beginning in Early Years and continuing throughout the school, with its emphasis on practical music-making. Her enthusiasm and commitment creates a vibrant music department with a Junior Choir of over 90 children, and the majority of pupils taking instrumental or singing lessons.

For information about our team of Visiting Music Teachers please click the "MUSIC LESSONS" section below:

• Kent College Choristers (Junior School and Year 7)
• Cantabile (Years 7-9)
• Sedecim (Years 10-13)
• Senior Choir (Years 10-13)
• Choral Society (Staff, parents, friends and OCs)

The Kent College Choristers have enjoyed a proud record of success in national competitions, most recently as runners-up in the Barnado’s School Choir Competition (2018), and as televised finalists in BBC Songs of Praise ‘Junior Choir of the Year’ (2018). The senior chamber choir, Sedecim, recently sang Evensong in Winchester and Canterbury Cathedrals, and the Cantabile choir performs regularly in the community. In the past few years our choirs have toured to Austria, Italy, France, Czech Republic, Estonia and Budapest.

On a larger scale, our school Senior Choir and Choral Society join forces each year for the annual concert in the Colyer Fergusson Hall, with recent performances including Karl Jenkins’ ‘The Armed Man’ and Howard Goodall’s ‘Eternal Light’, Handel’s ‘Messiah’, ‘Gloria’ by Vivaldi and by John Rutter, and Dan Forrest’s ‘Requiem for the Living’. Each year a full scale musical is staged in collaboration with the Drama Department, and a summer open-air opera production is performed at the end of the school year – recent highlights have included ‘Dido and Aeneas’ and ‘Trial by Jury’.

• Full orchestra
• Concert band
• Jazz band
• String quartets (junior and senior)
• Folk group
• Saxophone ensemble
• Flute groups

Our orchestra rehearses throughout the year for various events, including a major public performance at the Colyer Fergusson Hall, as well as the lighter-hearted ‘Joy to the World’ Christmas extravaganza. The department also promotes a series of informal Teatime and Lunchtime concerts, and a range of competitions for all musicians. For our Rock and Pop groups, the annual Band Night is always a highlight. Our highest achieving musicians are offered further platforms, including the opportunity to perform as soloists with an orchestra.


Orchestra – Strauss ‘Die Fledermaus’

The GTX Arts Scholarship Programme plays an important part in ensuring that talented pupils are given the support and advice necessary for their development during their time at Kent College. This includes access to excellent individual voice and instrumental teaching from our Visiting Music Teachers, many opportunities to perform both individually and in ensembles, and opportunities to work with professional coaches in our series of occasional masterclasses.

A number of generous Music Scholarships are offered each year and details of how to apply can be found here. The Director of Music, Julian Ross jross@kentcollege.co.uk is always available for an informal chat to discuss how Kent College can shape your child’s future in music.

Many pupils learn a musical instrument and instrumental tuition is available on all standard orchestral and band instruments, as well as singing, piano and guitar.

Lessons are taught individually by one of our experienced Visiting Music Teachers. During the course of the year, pupils usually receive thirty 30-minute lessons. It is normally possible to have a free trial to confirm suitability for a particular instrument before committing formally to lessons.

Lessons take place during the school day and normally operate on a rotational system in Years 7-9 to ensure pupils do not miss the same academic lesson from week to week. For Years 10-13, lessons are arranged outside academic lesson time. This system is closely monitored and timetables are clearly displayed in the parent portal on the school website, and in the Music Department.

More information about music lessons, together with an application form, can be found: More Info & Application Form