We encourage all our children to develop a love and appreciation of music. We adapt our teaching to capture their imagination whether it be Djembé drumming, a cantata performance at Christ Church Cathedral or one of our seven annual productions across all year groups.
Music features widely across the curriculum and Other Half activities. It is multicultural, with many different ensembles from the traditional orchestra, string and choir groups to folk, wind and jazz bands, guitar, strings, keyboard and music technology. We also have 16 visiting music specialists who specialise in a wide range of instruments, from bassoon and voice to drums and saxophone.
We want every Abingdon Prep pupil to learn to enjoy music and to experience as wide a range as possible irrespective of their ability.
There is plenty of opportunity to perform whether it’s at the informal termly Concert Platforms in front of a family audience, or to a full house at Abingdon School’s Amey Theatre or the opening solo in the carol concert at St Helen’s Church.
For those with a particular talent, we have a comprehensive programme of music scholarship preparation with pupils consistently winning awards to their senior schools each year. We also host ABRSM exams and enter pupils for Trinity exams.
If you would like further information about music at Abingdon Prep please email our Director of Music on: [email protected]
You can also view the music curriculum by year group.
‘The Sound Lounge’
‘The Sound Lounge’
A fun and inclusive space where students can kick back, listen, share, and vibe to their favourite tunes! All genres, styles and types equally welcome. Come and explore your favourite tracks, widen your listening, and tell others what you like to listen to.
| Term | Day | Time | Year |
| Autumn | Wednesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 5 |
| Autumn | Wednesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 6 |
| Autumn | Wednesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 7 |
| Autumn | Wednesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 8 |
Brass Band
Brass Band
This new ensemble, run by our brass specialist Nigel Somerville, promises to become a staple sound of APS music. The club will be open for all brass players in the prep school to attend, and it will feature in all main concerts throughout the year. Repertoire will range from beautiful classical music, to fun and upbeat popular classics!
| Term | Day | Time | Year |
| Autumn | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 5 |
| Autumn | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 6 |
| Autumn | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 7 |
| Autumn | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 8 |
| Spring | Thursday | 16:15 – 17:00 | 5 |
| Spring | Thursday | 16:15 – 17:00 | 6 |
| Spring | Thursday | 16:15 – 17:00 | 7 |
| Spring | Thursday | 16:15 – 17:00 | 8 |
Chamber Ensemble
Chamber Ensemble
By invitation only. This ensemble aims to hone ensemble skills across a variety of eras, genres and styles, for more advanced performance development.
| Term | Day | Time | Year |
| Autumn | Friday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 5 |
| Autumn | Friday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 6 |
| Autumn | Friday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 7 |
| Autumn | Friday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 8 |
| Spring | Friday | 08:30 – 08:55 | 5 |
| Spring | Friday | 08:30 – 08:55 | 6 |
| Spring | Friday | 08:30 – 08:55 | 7 |
| Spring | Friday | 08:30 – 08:55 | 8 |
Foundation Choir
Foundation Choir
Come and be part of something special! Foundation Choir is preparing to sing at the annual Foundation Service of Thanksgiving, held in the beautiful Abingdon School Chapel.
This is a fantastic opportunity to sing alongside the Abingdon School Chapel Choir and work with their Director of Music, Mr Richard Stafford, as part of a wonderful musical occasion.
You don’t need to attend every rehearsal to take part, so please do sign up even if you’re keen to enjoy another club as well. We’d love to have as many enthusiastic singers involved as possible!
| Term | Day | Time | Year |
| Spring | Wednesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 3 |
| Spring | Wednesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 4 |
| Spring | Wednesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 5 |
| Spring | Wednesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 6 |
| Spring | Wednesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 7 |
| Spring | Wednesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 8 |
Guitar and Ukulele Club
Guitar and Ukulele Club
No experience necessary; this club welcomes anyone interested in learning more about playing the guitar and ukulele, working on ensemble skills and building up towards concert performances.
| Term | Day | Time | Year |
| Autumn | Tuesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 3 |
| Autumn | Tuesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 4 |
| Autumn | Tuesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 5 |
| Autumn | Tuesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 6 |
| Autumn | Tuesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 7 |
| Autumn | Tuesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 8 |
| Spring | Tuesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 3 |
| Spring | Tuesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 4 |
| Spring | Tuesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 5 |
| Spring | Tuesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 6 |
| Spring | Tuesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 7 |
| Spring | Tuesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 8 |
| Summer | Tuesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 3 |
| Summer | Tuesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 4 |
| Summer | Tuesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 5 |
| Summer | Tuesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 6 |
| Summer | Tuesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 7 |
| Summer | Tuesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 8 |
Jazz Band
Jazz Band
This group is led by our jazz specialist, Simon Currie. They play anything from The Pink Panther to the James Bond theme and many blues pieces. They are always a popular item in the school concerts, and the audience love to clap along.
| Term | Day | Time | Year |
| Autumn | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 3 |
| Autumn | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 4 |
| Autumn | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 5 |
| Autumn | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 6 |
| Autumn | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 7 |
| Autumn | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 8 |
| Spring | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 3 |
| Spring | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 4 |
| Spring | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 5 |
| Spring | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 6 |
| Spring | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 7 |
| Spring | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 8 |
| Summer | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 3 |
| Summer | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 4 |
| Summer | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 5 |
| Summer | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 6 |
| Summer | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 7 |
| Summer | Thursday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 8 |
Junior String Ensemble
Junior String Ensemble
By invitation only, this club is a great introduction to ensemble playing for for anyone who is already playing an orchestra string instrument.
| Term | Day | Time | Year |
| Autumn | Thursday | 12:15 - 12:45 | 3 |
| Autumn | Thursday | 12:15 - 12:45 | 4 |
| Autumn | Thursday | 12:15 - 12:45 | 5 |
| Autumn | Thursday | 12:15 - 12:45 | 6 |
| Autumn | Thursday | 12:15 - 12:45 | 7 |
| Autumn | Thursday | 12:15 - 12:45 | 8 |
| Spring | Thursday | 12:15 - 12:45 | 3 |
| Spring | Thursday | 12:15 - 12:45 | 4 |
| Spring | Thursday | 12:15 - 12:45 | 5 |
| Spring | Thursday | 12:15 - 12:45 | 6 |
| Spring | Thursday | 12:15 - 12:45 | 7 |
| Spring | Thursday | 12:15 - 12:45 | 8 |
Karaoke Club
Karaoke Club
Belt out your favourite tunes with no judgement in our Karaoke Club, and let your inner pop star shine. Choose the tunes, share the mic and join the chorus of cool!
| Term | Day | Time | Year |
| Autumn | Monday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 3 |
| Autumn | Monday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 4 |
| Autumn | Monday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 5 |
| Autumn | Monday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 6 |
| Autumn | Monday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 7 |
| Autumn | Monday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 8 |
| Spring | Monday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 3 |
| Spring | Monday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 4 |
| Spring | Monday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 5 |
| Spring | Monday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 6 |
| Spring | Monday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 7 |
| Spring | Monday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 8 |
| Summer | Monday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 3 |
| Summer | Monday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 4 |
| Summer | Monday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 5 |
| Summer | Monday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 6 |
| Summer | Monday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 7 |
| Summer | Monday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 8 |
Music Makers
Music Makers
Music Makers is a playful and exploratory music club, helping young musicians to explore sounds creatively through percussion, movement, listening, emotions, and simple picture-card compositions. Children will have an opportunity to create solo and group work for performance.
| Term | Day | Time | Year |
| Autumn | Monday | 15:30 – 16:00 | 1 |
Music Tech Club
Music Tech Club
In Music Tech Club, you will create original music using the online digital music studio BandLab, developing music technology skills, exploring your creativity, and working towards an accredited music certificate.
| Term | Day | Time | Year |
| Autumn | Tuesday | 16:15 – 17:00 | 5 |
| Autumn | Tuesday | 16:15 – 17:00 | 6 |
| Autumn | Tuesday | 16:15 – 17:00 | 7 |
| Autumn | Tuesday | 16:15 – 17:00 | 8 |
| Spring | Tuesday | 16:15 – 17:00 | 5 |
| Spring | Tuesday | 16:15 – 17:00 | 6 |
| Spring | Tuesday | 16:15 – 17:00 | 7 |
| Spring | Tuesday | 16:15 – 17:00 | 8 |
| Summer | Tuesday | 16:15 – 17:00 | 5 |
| Summer | Tuesday | 16:15 – 17:00 | 6 |
| Summer | Tuesday | 16:15 – 17:00 | 7 |
| Summer | Tuesday | 16:15 – 17:00 | 8 |
Rhythm Club
Rhythm Club
Join our Rhythm Club and unleash your inner drummer. Create your own groovy beats and get ready to make some noise! No experience necessary, just a willingness to have a go.
| Term | Day | Time | Year |
| Autumn | Wednesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 3 |
| Autumn | Wednesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 4 |
| Autumn | Wednesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 5 |
| Autumn | Wednesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 6 |
| Autumn | Wednesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 7 |
| Autumn | Wednesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 8 |
| Spring | Wednesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 3 |
| Spring | Wednesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 4 |
| Spring | Wednesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 5 |
| Spring | Wednesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 6 |
| Spring | Wednesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 7 |
| Spring | Wednesday | 12:45 – 13:15 | 8 |
| Summer | Wednesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 3 |
| Summer | Wednesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 4 |
| Summer | Wednesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 5 |
| Summer | Wednesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 6 |
| Summer | Wednesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 7 |
| Summer | Wednesday | 12:10 – 12:45 | 8 |
Wind Band
Wind Band
The Wind Band is a newly-formed group, open to brass or wind players. We perform ‘classical’ wind band pieces and make an exciting sound!
