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Brass Band
Performs twice a year at the Autumn/Christmas Concerts and
the School’s Bands Concert. Also plays at special assemblies
and other services, including every Christmas at the
Community Service Tea Party.
Chamber Music
A full range of 30-40 ensembles are rehearsed weekly by
members of the visiting music staff. They include ensembles
for strings, woodwind and brass: String Trios, Quartets and
Quintets; Saxophone Quartet; Bassoon Quartet; Flute Choirs;
Double Reed Ensemble; Clarinet Ensemble; Wind Quintet;
Jazz Ensembles; Brass Quintets; Horn Quartet; Piano Trios;
String Quartets; Abingdon Academicals – close harmony
and many more miscellaneous ensembles.
The ensembles have numerous opportunities to perform,
take part in specialist ensemble workshops with coaching
from distinguished musicians and compete in the Pro Corda
Chamber Music Competition, in which Abingdon groups
have won places in the finals concerts for many years.
Chamber Orchestra
Chamber Orchestra consists of excellent string players who
perform at Open Day, Christmas and Summer Orchestral
Concerts. This Orchestra supports candidates for their A level
exams and gives concerto opportunities to chosen soloists,
with plenty of opportunity to tour abroad.
Chapel Choir
The Chapel Choir sings for the School Carol, Commemoration
and Leavers’ services, and makes termly visits to sing Choral
Evensong in college chapels and cathedrals in a wide area.
The Choir tours abroad and has released a CD.
Composers’ Workshop
This is a session for budding composers – or anyone
interested in the craft of composition – to expand their
composing experience and learn about the mechanics of how
music works. The sessions include some ‘taught’ elements
where composers’ techniques are introduced and some more
improvisatory and exploratory sessions in which boys learn
about the essentials of different vocal, instrumental and choral
forces and how to write for them.
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