Music is an integral part of learning at Kenton College and all pupils are encouraged to take an active role in music performances. We offer it as part of the Curriculum. Currently years 2- 4 have 2 subject based lessons a week (one hour a week) and Years 5 - 7 have one 30 minute slot a week. In addition to the lessons we also offer Music Extras, at an additional cost, with specialist teachers in  various instruments. We have 17 teachers offering one-on-one lessons on piano, violin, cello, double bass, recorder, saxophone, clarinet, flute, guitar, drum-kit, trumpet, baritone, euphonium, tuba, trombone and singing. The fees for the one-on-one lessons are paid directly to the teacher and are not covered by school fees. 

 

Kenton College has a School Orchestra, several instrumental ensembles and three choirs. The three choirs are based on age groups - Junior Choir for Year 3 and 4, Middle School Choir for Year 5 and 6 and the Senior Choir for Years 7 and 8. In addition, we boast a chamber choir known as Kentatonix, for the more skilled singers. The Instrumental ensembles include The String, Flute, Clarinet, Recorder, Saxophone and Brass ensembles. The Peponi Chamber Festival held in the Trinity term is usually when we showcase the ensembles, but they also regularly perform at School assemblies. 

 

In order to get the most out of instrumental music or singing, a full commitment to rehearsal and practice is essential. Junior choir practice, under the leadership of the Director of Music, takes place on Tuesdays straight after lunch. The Choir, which currently boasts in excess of 40 members, performs regularly at a Friday Assembly. Membership of the choir is voluntary, but pupils wishing to be choir members must be auditioned by the Director of Music, and display commitment to the practices and performances.

 

The Middle School Choir is a recent addition, as choral singing is one of our popular offerings,  and we had scope to expand the choral expectations, so this is now offered to year 5 and 6 pupils. The Middle School Choir will be expected to perform regularly at Friday assemblies and at the Carol Service. 

 

The Senior Choir has its practice during Option time on a Thursday (during Michaelmas and Lent terms only - in Trinity Term practices are held at Lunch Break). The Senior Choir are expected to represent the school at the Brookhouse Festival annually as well as singing at the Carol Service and on rotation for Friday assemblies along with the other choirs and ensembles. They also participate in the inter-school cantata every other year. 

 

The Carol Service at Christmas is an important choir appearance, as is the Braeburn Music Festival and occasions when the Kenton Choirs might sing in venues such as The Bomas of Kenya, the inter-school cantata  (held every second year) or churches and concert halls in Nairobi. We are also regularly represented at the Brookhouse Choir Festival.

 

The School Orchestra has the opportunity to perform, usually at the last assembly of term, as well as, annually, at the St Andrew’s, Turi Orchestral weekend. 

 

Members of the School Orchestra have recently made two successful international tours - in April 2018 to Japan and again in October 2019 to Austria. On this last trip, the members of the trip were also physically present to witness the Ineos Marathon challenge in which the Kenyan Marathon Runner Eliud Kipchoge ran the marathon for the first time under the 2 hour time record previously held by him! They were there at the start and finish. 

 

Kenton has featured strongly in two Vocal festivals for soloists - The Banda Vocal Festival and the recently inaugurated Young Vocalist of the year, currently being hosted at Peponi Secondary School. 

 

Kenton instrumentalists have also dominated the Young Musician of the Year Competition, which we host in the Lent Term, for many years.   

 

All Year Groups present a Tea Time Concert, in which we feature two items by the Year Group, often an instrumental ensemble and a choral presentation. It is also an opportunity for all the instrumentalists and solo singers to present a well rehearsed solo rendition in front of  an appreciative audience. The concerts are held in the Roger Owles memorial Hall and follow the following calendar of performance: Michaelmas Term - Year 8, 7 and 6, Lent Term - Year 5 and 5 whilst the Trinity term is reserved for the Year 2 and 3 concerts.  

 

Every year we enter pupils for the ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music as well as the LCM (London College of Music) examinations on various instruments. Our percentage pass has been well over 85% most years. Recently, our pupils have entered these exams online and they will be encouraged to pursue both their theory and practical exams by registering directly through the boards’ online systems, as directed by the  recent announcements from each board.  We have recently started pursuing the requirements of the Rock School of Music affiliated to Trinity College, for those inclined especially to contemporary and popular music. Our first set of candidates sat their exams in March 2022. We have now participated in the 2 editions of Singer of the Year competition hosted by Peponi Secondary School.

 

Kenton College offers Music to all pupils and we hope that these lessons build their knowledge and appreciation of the subject, as well as develop their skills and enthusiasm for music performance and overall confidence through public performances.