SENIOR MUSIC

Music thrives at King’s Ely within its all-inclusive, exciting and diverse department set in the heart of the “Arts Quad” in the shadows of the Cathedral.

The department is renowned for its friendly, yet energetic and stimulating environment, offering a wide range of opportunities for all pupils, and helping them to reach their full potential, whatever their musical aspirations are. 

Music includes instrumental and vocal study, aural and theory tuition, encouragement of sight-reading and sight-singing skills, chamber music, orchestral training, choral work, jazz and rock, music theatre, academic study, composition and music technology.

With a strong Cathedral connection, King’s Ely is well placed to cater for former cathedral and collegiate choristers who aspire to university organ and choral scholarships. Our choirs regularly sing in Ely Cathedral, St Paul’s Cathedral and Windsor Castle as well as tour Europe and the World.

Our orchestra, string orchestra, concert band, jazz band, drumline, chamber music groups, King’s barbers, cello ensemble, flying fiddles, flute choir and folk band rehearse weekly at dedicated times.

Many pupils go on to study Music further with some gaining Oxbridge or other University Choral Scholarships and Music Conservatoire places

Neil studied under Christopher Robinson and his father, John Porter as a chorister at St George’s Windsor. A scholar at Malvern College, Neil won a major music scholarship to Trinity College of Music, London where he continued his vocal and string tuition under James Gaddarn, Elizabeth Turnbull and Stephen Tees.

Neil moved into teaching, working as Head of Music at Winchester House and Birkdale School before he moved with his family to Ely in 1996. Neil has been Housemaster and Director of Music to the boy choristers of Ely Cathedral and in the Prep department before moving into the Senior School in 2018.

Neil conducts and trains many groups and choirs and is often asked to adjudicate competitions. He has compositions published and regularly writes for the school and loves working with budding composers. Neil also loves his musical theatre and pop/rock and can often be found on stage!