The Dulwich Difference – Music
A Universal Language: Finding Your Voice
At Dulwich College Seoul, we believe that an exceptional education extends far beyond traditional academics; it is about providing every child with the tools to discover their unique voice. Our Music Department is a vibrant, welcoming space where students do more than learn to read notes on a page. Through this universal language, they build profound resilience, learn the value of disciplined collaboration, and develop the unshakeable confidence needed to step onto any stage in life. Whether singing in a choir, mastering a complex string arrangement, or composing an original symphony, our students are actively embodying what it means to Live Worldwise.
Meet the Team
Our dedicated team is united by a shared philosophy: to foster a lifelong love of music in every student. Led by Director of Music, Mr Mark Knights (centre), alongside specialist teachers Ms Jeongmin Lee (left) and Ms Cindy Kim (right), the department is deeply committed to creating an inclusive environment. They guide students to strive for excellence while ensuring that the rehearsal room remains a safe space for creative risk-taking, curiosity, and joyful expression.
Our Approach: A Vibrant Musical Ecosystem
The Dulwich approach to music is entirely hands-on, intrinsically linked to the character of our students, and supported by a rich co-curricular ecosystem. We encourage every learner to be an open-minded risk-taker and a caring collaborator, ensuring that performance is woven into the fabric of daily school life.
This philosophy of participation is brought to life through our extensive ensemble programme. Singing is central to our community, with a clear vocal pathway that supports students from their early years in Super Singers, right through to the Junior Choir, Senior Choir, and even a Community Choir that welcomes parents and staff. Instrumentalists thrive in groups ranging from our beginner-to-intermediate Junior Orchestra and traditional Nanta Korean drumming ensemble, to the Senior Big Band and bespoke Chamber Players Programme, where advanced musicians explore complex repertoire with specialist mentors.
We champion student agency from an early age; for example, our Little Mozart programme empowers Primary students to compose, arrange, and direct their own performances, fostering true musical leadership. We also celebrate the wider performing arts through initiatives like the fiercely inclusive House Shout competition, where every Senior School student contributes on stage, building tremendous house pride and collaborative spirit.
To support this vibrant activity, our Peripatetic Music Lesson programme provides students with one-to-one tuition from a network of professional performers. Covering a vast array of instruments—from cello and saxophone to drums and ukulele—these lessons offer personalised guidance that builds independent practice habits. Designed to be flexible, Primary students attend these lessons on a rotating timetable to protect their academic learning, ultimately showcasing their progress in dedicated Private Music Lesson Recitals.
Recent Highlights & Opportunities: A Global Stage
Our musical ecosystem is designed to challenge students and connect them with the wider community, offering valuable experiences both locally and internationally:
- Global Collaborations: Our students frequently travel across the region to collaborate with peers from the EiM network and beyond. For our younger learners, the MADD Festival (Music, Art, Drama & Dance) offers a dynamic platform to blend orchestral and rock band performances with visual storytelling, travelling to hosted events at sister schools like Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong. Meanwhile, our Senior students recently took to the stage at the Worldwise Festival of Music for a spectacular gala at the Jaguar Symphony Hall, and travelled to Qingdao for the International Schools Choral Music Society (ISCMS) festival, mastering complex works under the guidance of world-class conductors.
- Professional Partnerships: To further enrich our students’ understanding of music as a living art form, we frequently host professional residencies. A recent highlight was the visit of the Roy McGrath Jazz Quartet, who led hands-on workshops on jazz harmony and improvisation, and we will soon host Naveen Arles, a vocal leader, winner of the British Citizen Award in 2018, and respected as a conductor on various stages, including the Rugby World Cup Seni-Finals and the House of Commons.
- Community Presence & Outreach: We strongly value student agency, mentoring young musicians to share their talents locally. Our students regularly perform at high-profile events for the European Chamber of Commerce Korea (ECCK) and the British Chamber of Commerce in Korea (BCCK). Equally important is our commitment to service; students frequently lead outreach initiatives, designing engaging musical activities for children with cognitive and physical challenges at local rehabilitation homes, and performing for elderly residents at the Ducksoo Church Welfare Centre. These experiences ensure our musicians use their art to foster profound empathy and genuine human connection.
Curriculum Pathways: A Narrative of Discovery
The musical journey at Dulwich College Seoul is a carefully crafted narrative of growth. In the DUCKS years, young learners develop foundational musicianship through singing, movement, and the Kodály method, which internalises rhythm and pitch from the very beginning.
As they progress into the Junior School, every child is given the physical tools to succeed. This starts with the recorder in Year 3, moving to classical string instruments in Year 4, and discovering the dynamics of wind and brass instruments through our Wind Band approach in Years 5 and 6. This early exploration builds a vital tactile understanding of music that serves them for a lifetime.
In the Senior School, the curriculum broadens to explore global musical traditions and the rich history of Western Art music, before shifting to a heavy emphasis on advanced instrumental and vocal technique. For those who choose to pursue their passion at the highest levels, our IGCSE and IB Music pathways provide a rigorous framework for composition, performance, and analytical critique. This carefully sequenced journey equips them not just as skilled creators, but as adaptable, perceptive thinkers ready for the complexities of the modern world.
Teacher Reflection
“Music at Dulwich College Seoul is about access, discovery and excellence. We ensure that every student can experience the joy of making music, while providing the pathways and opportunities for passionate musicians to challenge themselves through performance, composition and collaboration on both local and international stages.”
— Mr Mark Knights, Director of Music
Student & Alumni Reflections
"The Primary instrumental programme allowed me to explore a variety of instruments and develop a tactile understanding of music early on. That foundational experience of curiosity and discovery directly informs my work as a composer today. Dulwich not only nurtured my musical passion but taught me the profound responsibility of our education, showing us that true privilege is the ability to use our voices and talents to uplift and serve our wider community."
— Victor J (Pictured left, Class of 2022), Music Composition and Philosophy, Columbia University
"Collaborating at an international festival required immense stamina and focus, with intensive rehearsals testing our limits. However, stepping onto the stage, the nerves transformed into pure excitement. In that final performance, knowing we were perfectly in sync, every moment of dedication truly paid off."
— Exuan (Year 8, pictured far left), reflecting on the ISCMS Qingdao Festival
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