Music Department News

Music Tour

On Friday 26 June, 69 students from years 8 to 11 met at 4am to get on a coach to Germany for our annual 5-day Music Tour. We left the UK heatwave behind and followed it to the continent. After a 12-hour journey in possibly the hottest coach ever, we finally arrived at our accommodation near the river Rhine. Instead of the planned visit to a nearby town the next day, it was unanimously decided to visit the nearest beautiful Lido, and we all cooled off in the swimming pool. That evening we had our first concert in a historical church in Bingen, famous as the town of the 12th century woman composer, Hildegard of Bingen. Due to the red weather warning in Germany, there were very few who ventured out, but this did not affect the wonderful performance given by our Junior and Senior choirs. 

The next morning, we returned to the Lido before going bowling and then travelling to our next concert in the incredible acoustic of the Rochuskapelle Chapel of St Roch. Another beautiful performance was given to a few more audience members who were extremely appreciative.

The next day, we visited the beautiful Puppet Museum before taking a cruise on the Rhine and walking round a couple of lovely towns on the banks of the river before our final concert in the spectacular Rheingauer Dom. Though we were all very tired, it didn’t stop the choir singing their hearts out, leading to a standing ovation from the small but enthusiastic audience. After the traditional prize giving and a spontaneous game of football, we packed to be ready for our early departure the following morning. The return coach journey was much cooler and went much faster, partly due to our legendary coach driver, Sam!

We got back to school at 11pm on Tuesday, tired but full of wonderful memories. Here are a couple of videos from the tour for you to enjoy:

Can you hear me?

La Cumpersita

 Summer Concert

With no time to draw breath, the music department readied itself for the Summer Concert on Thursday 2 July. The choirs performed songs they had sung in Germany and the Symphony Orchestra showcased two wonderful soloists: Megan in year 11 playing Beethoven's 2nd piano concerto and Dora in year 13 playing Massenet. This was an especially emotional last CSG performance from Dora, who has been such an important member of the music department. It was conducted by fellow year 13, Hugo. Another year 13, Jess, performed the exciting 3Gs for viola. Her exceptional playing was not hampered by her bow breaking halfway through – something I have never seen before! Year 13s Patrick, Anselm and Felix also joined the Senior Choir, Symphony Orchestra and Big Band for one last time. 

It is always sad to say goodbye to students, but perhaps especially so to this year's A level music class. They have been an exceptional group of musicians who have shone not only in their music making and studies but, in their kindness, enthusiasm and dedication to the musical life at CSG, we will miss them. 

Music Tours and concerts can only happen because of the dedication and commitment of our wonderful staff at CSG. I would like to thank Ms EP, Ms Farrow and Mr Symes for coming on tour with us and Nye, Daisy, Ben and Josh for their constant support of music department. Finally, without Ms Birchall's dedication, musicianship and wonderful direction of our choirs, none of this would have been possible. Thank you!

Ms Segal

A-Level Economics

I am immensely proud of 13 of our Year 12 students who recently challenged themselves beyond the standard curriculum to pass their professional Chartered Institute of Securities Investment certificate in Fundamentals of Finance. Achieving this industry-standard qualification requires rigorous analytical skill, dedication, and a level of financial literacy that puts them well ahead of their peers in the financial industry.

This impressive milestone not only showcases their exceptional work ethic but also lays a formidable foundation for their future academic and career pursuits. Congratulations to this outstanding group for setting such a stellar example of ambition and achievement.

Hormoz Firouzbakhsh
Economics Teacher

Count on Us Final

Big congratulations to the Camden Squadrilaterals, a group of year 9 students who took part in the Count on Us tournament Final on Tuesday 7 July. 

Count on us is a London wide maths tournament with five competitive maths puzzle rounds, and the team did the school proud by coming third in a very challenging competition. 

They committed many lunchtimes to practise the puzzles, which led them to success. They were highly praised by teachers from the competing schools for their quick thinking and algebraic skills.

Well done to Agatha, Catalina, Clemmie, Lucy and Maryam in year 9.

The maths department is very proud of you. Go Squadrilaterals!!

Camden Schools Art Biennale

Congratulations to Lucy in 9C, Lara in 10T, Charlotte in 10C, Maria in Y12 who have all had work selected for the Camden Schools Biennale. Also on display are a selection of year 7 animal sculptures.

Camden Schools Art Biennale - 14 –26 July 2026

A major exhibition and events programme at the Lethaby Gallery,
Central Saint Martins and across the King's Cross Estate, celebrating the creative energy of Camden’s schools. Further details can be found by clicking the following link: Camden Schools Art Biennale | Central Saint Martins

14-26 July, 10am-6pm: Lethaby Gallery, King's Cross. Free, just drop in.

                      1 Granary Square, King's Cross, London, N1C 4AA

Schools’ Laureate Trip: Friday 19 June

Eight Y12 students have been taking part in an exciting new programme with All Souls College, Oxford. The programme involved reading 4 selected texts from the International Booker Prize List (2024) and sharing their responses, as well as exploring the role of translation in literature.

We travelled to Oxford University on Friday 19 June to take part in the awards ceremony with other participating schools. It was an invigorating day filled with taster lectures from subject specialists at Oxford (including Latin, Portuguese and Russian), and a tour of some of the university’s prestigious sites such as the Bodleian library. Our two judges – Suraya and Llewelyn – represented our school in a judging session chaired by Shami Chakrabarti, where the overall winner was announced: ‘Misinterpretation’ by Ledia Xhoga. The day culminated in an awards ceremony and speeches from students, and a surprise address written by Queen Camilla, read by the organiser Catriona Seth!

A short review of ‘Misinterpretation’ by Llewelyn:

Misinterpretation by Ledia Xhoga follows a nameless narrator in her experience as part of the Albanian diaspora in New York City. The novel had both an engaging plot, with the narrator's relationships each having their own depth and interest, while also having the complicated themes of communication and misunderstanding threaded throughout the text.

A short review of ‘One Boat’ by Luca:

9 years on after the death of her mother, new grief brings a young lawyer back to escape in the Greek isles. Flitting between the past and present visits, encounters with the island's inhabitants and the land itself provoke explorations of identity, free will, and the passage of time, through intense personal and introspective awakenings.

This book was awarded 3.1/5 by the International Booker Prize Schools Laureate Group after a very decisive discussion.

DofE Expedition: Windermere

On Saturday 4 July, as London began to bake in the heat for another day, 10 students from Year 12 met at Euston station for a journey north to Windermere. 

Travelling as a group (oh no, we’re one ticket short) and having overcome the panic of a missing ticket, they left London at 10.25.

4 and a half hours later (train cancelled at Lancaster) they arrived to be greeted by rain and me.

After a really nice dinner in a pub, 5 fire engines outside the students crept to bed as the rain intensified. By morning, almost a biblical deluge, rucksacks packed, they departed for the Fairfield round, one group going one way, the other the reverse and me like explorers on the misty summit.

Mr Doyland

On the final day, the group was up early and departed by 8:15 am. With the train schedule presenting a choice between an early finish or a late arrival, the students opted for the 2:30 pm train. We reached Hope station by 2:00 pm, where we said goodbye to our assessors. Despite a sprint along the platform and over the bridge to catch the train, the journey home went smoothly. After a busy trip on the train from Sheffield and a detour via Corby, we arrived back at St Pancras 3.5 hours later to be greeted by many parents.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved: our assessors, Joe, Cen, Ali, Vicky, and Kels; our helper Jim; all the students; and the parents who supported this trip. A special thanks to Ms Law, who enjoyed the experience so much that she has already signed up for next year!

Students are reminded to complete their presentation for the expedition section of the award, which will take place on the 1st of July in S5 after school. Parents are invited to attend, and the time will be confirmed later this week.

Y8 Students Visit Crick Science Show

Year 8 students enjoyed exploring the scientific wonders behind the constant stores and transfers of energy that shape our daily lives at this year's Cracking Crick science show.