Description

Sir John Lawes School is a state Secondary School in Hertfordshire, UK. Music is a hugely important part of the school with many students learning a musical instrument and nearly 200 children attending weekly rehearsals and ensembles. Students perform regularly throughout the year – both in school and around the local community. The annual music tour is the highlight of these musical events – a long-established tradition which has been running since the 1980s. 

SJL Tour Concert Band  
The SJL Tour Concert Band is made up of student of all year groups, from 12 to 18 years old. The group was established back in 1984 and since then has performed both locally and in many countries throughout Europe. The Concert Band enjoy performing music from films and musical shows and are excited to be performing some of their favourites on tour this year. The band is directed by Mr Jon Walton, who started the group 39 years ago.

SJL Jazz Band  
The SJL Jazz Band is one of the school’s favourite and longest running ensembles – having been established around 40 years ago! The SJL Jazz Evenings are a very popular annual event within the school and local community. In 2023, the SJL Jazz Band performed at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, London. The main SJL Jazz Band are joined on tour by some of our talented younger jazz musicians who would normally play in the Junior Jazz Group. The band is directed by Mrs Suzi Walton.

SJL Tour Choir 
The SJL Tour choir is a combination of SJL three main choirs: the Junior Choir, Senior Choir and Chamber Choir. Across the three choirs, students perform a great range of music – from sacred choral to modern pop tunes. The many choirs at Sir John Lawes School are very popular and regularly perform around the local community, as well as abroad on tour. The choir is directed by Mrs Lizzie Hastings-Clarke and Ms Lyndsay Gillot.

SJL Chamber Choir 
The SJL Chamber Choir was established in 2008. Always aiming for a challenging spread of repertoire, both sacred and secular, the choir consistently provides a high standard of choral music. They perform regularly at numerous events in school and around the community. The Chamber Choir is also one of the favourite ensembles on the annual SJL Music Tour and have performed in a variety of locations across Europe over the years including a lunchtime recital at the Montserrat Basilica in Barcelona. The choir is usually made up of students in Years 11- 13, all of whom share an enthusiasm for making choral music and developing their repertoire further. They are directed by Mrs Hastings-Clarke who has been directing the choir for 14 years.

SJL String Ensemble
The SJL Tour String Ensemble is a collaboration between our two main string groups: Junior and Senior Strings. Students from Grade 3 to post Grade 8 perform in the ensembles, playing a range of music from traditional classical string repertoire to rock! Some of the students also perform in smaller chamber ensembles, as well as being part of the main Concert Band. The string ensembles at Sir John Lawes are directed by Katy Wilmshurst, our violin teacher and Chair of Governors, but on tour will be led by Mrs Lizzie Hastings-Clarke.