Music is a strong and thriving department situated in a purpose-built and well-equipped building.

Classroom Music: Almost all pupils at Abberley have one hour of classroom music per week in this unexamined subject. A wide variety of different activities are pursued. These include singing, performing, composing and listening to many different types of music from all periods and cultures. Following such a varied course as this enables all pupils at Abberley to start to comply with the requirements of GCSE.

In the first year, class recorder lessons provide the very youngest children with their first practical experience of collective music-making. These classes perform in the annual Summer Concert to demonstrate the skills established at this early stage. The art of listening objectively is developed through exposure to small amounts of music, often linked with a story.

Formal composition is introduced at Year 5 level (Removes) through analysis of some of the most celebrated classics of the repertoire. Children are taught to produce original music based on simple rhythmic, melodic and harmonic ideas using the suite of computers in the music department which are installed with the latest music technology and which are available to every pupil throughout their time at Abberley. Further musical study enhances what has already been taught and includes in-depth study of all musical periods.

To augment learning, we take every opportunity to transport pupils to concerts, opera, ballet and other musical entertainments. Venues often visited include Symphony Hall Birmingham, the Conservatoire, Malvern Theatres as well as various churches and cathedrals.

Practical Music : All pupils at Abberley have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, to take part in group work and to sing in choirs. We offer lessons in most of the standard orchestral instruments in addition to singing, piano, jazz piano, recorder, classical and electric guitar, organ and percussion. Lessons are taught by the Director of Music, the Assistant Director of Music and a team of eleven highly qualified and dedicated visiting staff. Lessons occur throughout the working day and are on a weekly rotation to minimise disruption to academic progress. All instrumental pupils are allocated a room and time on a daily basis and their practice is monitored and encouraged for the consolidation of skills learned in the lesson.

Once children are proficient, we encourage them to be entered for examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music or other recognised bodies and Aural Clinics' help candidates with this part of the examination. On attaining a Grade II practical music examination, pupils are encouraged to attend the weekly music club to develop their knowledge of music theory in preparation for graded examinations. Regular concerts (to which parents are warmly invited) and workshops provide numerous performance opportunities, which instil independence and confidence as well as giving pleasure to those listening.

Once pupils have reached a certain standard they are encouraged to join in the many musical groups that meet throughout the week. These include percussion ensemble, string orchestra, pop group, wind band, flute ensemble, brass groups, stage vocals, ‘cello group and Abb Jazz.

The Chapel Choir involves 40 pupils and a number of members of staff singing tenor and bass. This enables four-part music to be performed on a regular basis at Chapel Services and at concerts. The Choir also perform outside the school in services and concerts and make an annual outing to the Prep Schools' Choral Festival and to sing as a visiting choir at a Cathedral. Recently the Choir has sung in Tewkesbury Abbey, Brecon, Bristol, Hereford and Worcester Cathedrals. The ‘Palace Choir' is the junior, ‘fun' choir, which is coached by our singing specialist and is a feeder to the chapel choir

Interest in, and enthusiasm for the subject are of paramount importance, but above all music should be fun, exciting, challenging and full of opportunities that empower and develop pupils.