Sherborne School Foundation

Welcome

Welcome to the Sherborne School Foundation website.

The Sherborne School Foundation exists to support the development of Sherborne School, and to support its continuation as a top academic school for boys that promotes the widest opportunity and fulfilment outside the classroom.

If you have any comments to make please contact us.

If you would like to make a gift towards one of the Foundation's projects, please click the button below to donate securely online.

BREAKING NEWS........a new Music School for Sherborne’s boys

“Music is an integral part of Sherborne life.”
Simon Eliot, Headmaster

Every Shirburnian is taught music as a core subject from the start of his career, and more than 50% of the 570 boys study at least one instrument per week.

Aerial view of the proposed Music School by architect, ORMS

Artist's impression of the proposed new building

“The new Music School is an exciting project which will be a clear statement of the School's commitment to music, and which will ensure that music-making at Sherborne continues to be at the leading edge of independent schools' music in England. For the first time since the 1960s, Sherborne's music will be under one roof and yet the modern sound-proofing will enable proper individual work to be carried out by teachers and pupils alike.”
James Henderson, Director of Music and OS, m, 1979-84

choir walking

The existing accommodation was not designed specifically for music teaching, rehearsal or performance, and sound-proofing is generally poor. This means that conditions for teaching are cramped and equipment has to be moved regularly. Despite this, Sherborne has an excellent and diverse musical output. However, the department struggles to be cohesive and its growing popularity demands the use of several disparate buildings.

The proposed Music School comprises a single, state-of-the-art, purpose built centre including a recital room to seat 120, a recording suite and a range of group and individual teaching and practice rooms. All will be fully sound-proofed and ideal for music. The building will also be available for public performances and other events. It could be made available to local schools and should prove to be of major benefit to the wider Dorset community.

Having already secured gifts and pledges totalling £2.35m, the Foundation hopes that as many OS, parents and friends of the School as possible will be able to contribute towards the remaining £150,000 and become a part of this landmark project for Sherborne.

Ground Floor Plan (left) and First Floor Plan (above)

There are a number of Naming Opportunities within the building including:

Seat in the Recital Hall
Prelude Seat                             £250 (or £10 per month)
Sonata Seat                              £500 (or £20 per month)
Concerto Seat                           £1,000 (or £40 per month)

Benches (outdoor)                     £300 each
Music Prize                              From £5,000 - £7,500
Balcony (in the Recital Hall)       £10,000
Outdoor Amphitheatre                £15,000
Practice Room                          £20,000

"This Music School will provide a flagship building, and represents one of the biggest developments for the School in 50 years.”
Guy Hudson, Chairman of the Sherborne School Foundation and OS, m, 1975-80.

For further details, please telephone Adrian Ballard, Head of the Foundation on 01935 810554 or email .

You can make a donation to the new Music School securely via our online giving partner ‘Just Giving’ by clicking here or please contact us with any questions you may have.

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