Truro School Unveils Plans for State-of-the-Art Music and Performance Centre

In a significant development for Cornwall’s educational and cultural landscape, Truro School has announced plans for a new Music and Performance Centre. The prestigious independent school, renowned for its comprehensive co-educational system for students aged 3-18, has submitted a planning application to Cornwall Council for this ambitious project.

Founded on principles of compassionate ambition and high academic standards, Truro School has been a cornerstone of educational excellence in Cornwall. The proposed Music and Performance Centre aims to further enhance the school’s vibrant musical culture. Currently, the school runs over 40 varied concerts annually, including traditional choirs, orchestras, and contemporary performances.

The current music centre, located in Epworth House, though bustling and extensive, is no longer deemed fit for purpose. The proposed new building, adjacent to the existing Assembly Hall, seeks to provide improved facilities and a performance venue that meets the growing needs of the school and the wider community.

Designed by Tate+Co, the new centre will feature a range of flexible working spaces for concerts, individual lessons, student events, and teaching classrooms. The building aims to harmoniously blend with the architectural character of the school while introducing modern aesthetics. A key focus has been placed on sustainability, with an ecological survey conducted by Spaldings ensuring biodiversity net gain and environmental sensitivity.

The school has been actively engaging with the local community, staff, and students in developing the project. Feedback from these consultations has been instrumental in refining the design, ensuring the new centre not only serves the school’s requirements but also becomes a beacon of musical excellence in Cornwall. This includes high acoustic treatment in music teaching rooms and strategic planning to prevent noise transmission, ensuring concurrent music teaching and exams can happen effectively.

The planning application follows a pre-application enquiry submitted in May 2023, with Cornwall Council largely supporting the development, provided certain conditions are met. The school has meticulously addressed these, including the preservation of significant trees and ensuring neighbour amenity through soundproofing and careful placement of the new building.

This development is not just a significant upgrade for Truro School but also for the Cornwall Music Services Trust and the broader community. It aims to provide an inclusive, accessible space for a wide array of musical activities, contributing significantly to the cultural fabric of Truro and Cornwall at large.

The project, pending approval from Cornwall Council, is set to be a landmark development in Truro, enhancing the school’s position as a leading institution for music and performance arts education.

For those interested in learning more about this exciting project or wishing to view the detailed planning application, you are encouraged to visit Cornwall Council’s official planning website. The planning application for Truro School’s Music and Performance Centre can be found using the reference number PA23/10143. The website offers comprehensive information and allows the public to submit comments and follow the progress of the application. This is a great opportunity for community members to engage with and stay informed about this significant development in their area.