The Music Department at Malvern St James is housed in its own building set apart from the main school site where girls benefit from the use of over 20 practice rooms, a specialist percussion room and a large rehearsal space furnished with a Yamaha grand piano. Instrumentalists and vocalists are encouraged to join the school choirs, the MSJ Chorus in Years 7 and 8 and the MSJ Singers from Year 9, or the school orchestra.
In addition to these main school ensembles, the department offers the opportunity to join the A Cappella group, Training String Ensemble, Chamber Ensembles and Piano Society. Girls are positively encouraged to follow their own initiative and the student led Ukulele group ‘The Ukuladies’ proves a popular activity for many.  

Performance is at the forefront of all that the Music Department strives to achieve through its extra-curricular provision and there are a wealth of opportunities throughout the year to engage and challenge our musicians. Recent highlights performing the London Premiere of the oratorio Stari Most by Richard Chew, an evening of Wassailing at Madresfield Court and a piano Masterclass and Recital evening by Reiko Fujisawa.

On a regular basis, girls perform at Malvern Priory in their Lunchbox Concerts or as part of their key services throughout the year as well as visiting local Cathedrals and Abbeys to sing Evensong. In school, the musical talents of our girls are celebrated through regular concerts, the main feature being the themed Spring Concert in March, and recitals. Whether a beginner or advanced musician, Music at Malvern St James aims to excite, challenge and incite passion in all of our girls.

The Art Studio is a creative space that's sure to inspire you to roll your sleeves up and join an extra-curricular class. Students can be inspired by the work of the School's Artist in Residence as well as visiting Artists who specialise in print making and textiles.

The Art Studio is available most nights of the week, with staff on hand to support a wide range of clubs and activities, including textiles, pottery, skills in the Duke of Edinburgh Award and GCSE and A Level course work.

In addition, our programme of visiting Artists and weekend workshops allows girls to benefit from dedicated instruction from practicing artists in a diverse range of disciplines.

Once the curriculum lessons have finished, more fun ensues! In Drama our varied extra-curricular programme offers something for everyone with each year group catered for in terms of performance and clubs. Much of the programme enables the girls to take risks, with leadership and creative opportunities rolling out each term.

Specialist Drama teachers produce and direct up to 10 productions a year, including an annual School Play or Musical with the whole school being encouraged to participate.

With teacher support, girls write and perform their own plays, devise scenes for performance and direct their own productions.

Despite being ‘outside’ the curriculum, the learning during these times is immense and the involvement is overwhelmingly satisfying as girls follow their passion or just enjoy.