Music

Above all, children at Aldwickbury are encouraged to find joy in music – the department fundamentally believes in the transformative power of music to impact every child in a positive way.

Our extra-curricular music provision boasts an impressive selection of music ensembles in which the boys can participate. These include:

• School Orchestra
• School Choir (non-auditioned, Years 3-8)
• Chamber Choir (advanced, auditioned choir for senior boys)
• Aldwickbury Strings (staff and boys, advanced chamber group)
• Intermediate Strings
• Woodwind Ensemble
• Brass Ensemble
• Guitar Ensembles
• Percussion Ensemble
• Rock Band
• Samba Band
• Recorder Clubs
• Year 3 Violin Club
• Pre-Prep Choir

A major music and drama production takes place every Easter term, with a cast of 60 or so volunteers from Years 7-8. Similar opportunities exist in Years 5 and 6, and the Pre-Prep and Junior Departments.

There are two major concerts in the year, and a traditional Carol service, alongside a number of informal lunchtime recitals which provide performing experience for boys at any stage of their musical development.

Individual tuition is provided in piano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, trumpet, trombone, horn, euphonium, baritone, guitar (electric and classical), percussion (kit and orchestral), flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, singing and theory. Every boy in Year 3 learns the violin for two terms during curricular music lessons.

Approximately 200 individual lessons (Years 1-8) take place each week. An Associated Board examiner visits the school each term and Theory of Music examinations also take place. A pleasing number of Merits and Distinctions are regularly obtained and failures are almost unheard of. Most years see at least one Music Scholarship to a senior school.