Music has been a unique feature of KIS academic life for over 100 years. This is evident amongst KIS alumni in the number of distinguished composers, professional musicians, as well as those with a lifelong appreciation of music.

KIS orchestra (incorporating a strings chamber orchestra), bands, choirs and individual instrumental artists regularly represent the school in national and international arenas, performing on overseas music tours, in competitions and aid concerts.

Music is taught at all levels at KIS - Elementary, Middle and High Schools. In addition to the regular curricular music offerings, KIS offers IB Music to Diploma level and annually presents instrumental students for Royal Schools of Music (RSM, London) examinations in Music, Practical and Theory. KIS has been the South Indian examination center for RSM since 1980.

High caliber musicians have long been attracted to KIS as specialist staff because of the quality of the music department. An extensive music program is currently offered by seven full time and four part time dedicated music teachers. 

KIS Music Facilities
KIS Music department is well endowed with over 50 separate music practice / teaching rooms and 45 pianos. For historical and geographical reasons KIS has acquired a substantial stock of individual instruments to support its broad music program. KIS now has its own trained and qualified piano tuner and good access to specialist instrument repair.

KIS Middle and High Schools have the following dedicated classroom / teaching areas:

• 13 individual piano practice rooms
•  5 Indian music rooms
•  1 Indian dance studio
•  8 brass rooms
•  8 string and woodwind rooms
•  1 band room
•  1 recording room (for IB exams)
•  1 music studio

KIS Elementary School has its own dedicated classroom / teaching areas:

• 13 individual music practice rooms
• 1 band room

KIS Music Program
KIS has always practiced a 'whole school' music policy. This is an integral part of KIS 'holistic' education philosophy.

Every student encounters curricular and individual instrumental music tuition as part of their regular academic program. First individual instrument tuition is free to all students. Second and other instruments incur additional charges.
Since 2002 KIS students have been selected from instrument and vocal auditions to represent KIS in the International Honors Band and Choir festival organized by AMIS (Association of Music for International Schools). Six students were selected to play in Beijing in February 2007, six in Luxemburg in March 2007 in the strings and choral sections and 3 for the 2008 concert in London. In 2009 one student was selected to play euphonium in Ankara, Turkey

KIS Middle and High School Music
KIS offers co-curricular courses of one lesson and four practices per 6 day cycle. KIS provides performance opportunities to all students through 8 music concerts a year and regular semester in-studio recitals.

Students earn five credits per year from Music in Fine and Practical Arts certification towards the KIS High School Diploma.

IB Music is offered to IB Diploma and certificate levels.

Classroom music is provided from grades 6 - 9 with individual instrument instruction available in piano, strings, voice, brass, woodwind, percussion, Indian music and dance.

KIS Elementary School Music
Music is an integral part of the KIS Elementary School curriculum. Every child is provided with at least two individual and / or group opportunities in the school's 6 day academic cycle.

Classroom music is provided at all levels. Individual instrument instruction is available in piano, strings, brass, woodwind and percussion. Students may request additional tuition at any grade level through the Music department.

Elementary School choir is provided as an extracurricular activity.

KIS Bands, Choirs & Orchestra
Currently KIS offers:

• 3 bands: Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced
• 3 choirs: Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced 
• a full String Chamber Orchestra 
• small ensembles eg jazz, chamber, madrigal etc are available according to staff availability and student interest

KIS Music Tours & Field Trips
KIS believes in the importance of live performance. Apart from regular on campus opportunities, KIS Music field trips and concert tours enable students to perform in different places before live audiences.

KIS Band, Choir, String Chamber Orchestra and piano students perform regularly in various locations around India.

• 2009- KIS Orchestra and Choir performed in Lawrence School, Ooty
• 2008- KIS Orchestra and Choir performed in Bangalore at the Christ College and the International School of Bangalore in February
• 2007 – Mumbai KIS Orchestra and Choir performed 2 concerts at St Andrews Auditorium for students of Mumbai schools and parents and friends of KIS, one concert at the NCPA for invited guests and 1 morning concert at the Cathedral

KIS Music Tuition

Classical Music
KIS currently offers individual lessons in piano, violin, viola, cello, string bass, clarinet, flute, oboe, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, euphonium, trombone, tuba, percussion and voice.

Indian Music
Lessons are also offered in traditional Indian instruments: veena, tabla, Carnatic vocal and Indian dance. KIS is fortunate to have attracted professional Indian musicians and artists to be able to provide this specialist tuition.