Opportunities are given to all pupils at S. Anselm’s to perform, whether it is within their year group in lessons, in twice-weekly assemblies, or within one of the school’s choirs or instrumental ensembles.
Each ensemble and choir has an allocated weekly rehearsal slot and takes part in concerts at school, within Derbyshire and beyond.
Informal Concerts take place roughly twice per term, giving all pupils the opportunity to perform to a very supportive and encouraging audience.
The school also prides itself on more formal performances. In November 2008, the Director of Music organised a ‘Come and Sing’ Faure Requiem at Bakewell Church, involving the school’s Chapel Choir and other invited singers, plus Lady Manners School Orchestra. In November 2009, the same forces joined together for a concert entitled: "A Celebration of English Music", including Zadok the Priest, Jerusalem and Vaughan Williams' Five Mystical Songs. Last November, there was a Come and Sing Vivaldi Gloria - this time at Lady Manners Schools. In March 2009, the Chapel Choir, Guitar Ensemble, Flute Group and Wind Sextet toured Austria, giving performances in Vienna and Salzburg. The next international tour is planned for 2012 to Italy. In 2010, the Chapel Choir had a tour to Hereford and a group of musicians travelled over to Dublin in February 2011 where performed in the magnificent St Patrick's Cathedral.
The department has good links with a number of local venues, including Bakewell Parish Church and St Oswald’s Church, Ashbourne, as well as performances in such venues at York Minster and Derby Cathedral this academic year.
Jon Weller, Director of Music is keen to hear from any musicians interested in the music at S Anselm's. Outside school, he directs the Wyns Tor Singers, an adult chamber choir based in Winster, and is also Musical Director of the Chesterfield Co-operative Choral Society.