MUSSOC – Repton School Music Society

Unfortunately MuSSoc has not re-started following the Covid pandemic.

A Short History

In 1887 the first Repton School Choral Society was formed. The first concert consisted of Auld Lang Syne, Sweet and Low, Hark! The Lark, Silent Night and Since First I Saw Your Face, ending with God Save the Queen. It was hoped that these concerts would become an established custom as “they tend in a great degree to cultivate the musical taste of the school”.

The concerts were such a success that by 1900 there were four or five a year!

In the 1970’s Michael Salter, the then Director of Music at Repton School decided to bring in a handful of experienced choral singers from the newly formed Derby Bach Choir in order to help with the choral singing parts and balance of the choir. At the same time he established a liaison with Abbots Bromley Girls School so that the choir became a mixed choir. Performances were given both at Repton and at Abbots Bromley and this continued until Repton School became co-educational in the early 1990’s. MusSoc continued to grow, made up of staff, parents and members of the local community. There were no auditions but an assumption that at least everyone could hold a note! In those days MusSoc was compulsory for all the pupils. Michael Salter wanted every pupil to experience singing a large choral work before leaving school. These days there is minimal pupil involvement owing in the main to vastly increased school commitments. However MusSoc is still very well supported. We reconvene annually in September under Repton School’s Director of Music, Oliver Walker. This year we will be rehearsing the joyous Hadyn’s Creation, performing in January 2021. MusSoc is a friendly group and we always welcome and encourage new members to join. Still no auditions!