MUSIC

Brass EnsemblesAll brass players are welcome to play in either the Bentley or the Bainbridge group. Open to all year groups.

Chamber EnsemblesA variety of small groups, including piano trios and quintets, rehearse for in-school concerts and competitions. Rehearsals are after school on Tuesdays. Normally by invitation only but the Music Department are happy to hear from interested pupils via email.ChoirThe School Choir is open to all pupils of the School – no need to audition, just turn up! In addition to Abbey Assemblies, the Carol Service and Founders’ Day, the Choir is involved in the annual Joint Schools’ Choral Society Concert in the Abbey in which we join with the St Albans High School for Girls and many parents and friends of the School. Open to all year groups.

Clarinet EnsembleA varied repertoire of jazz and classical works is studied and there are regular performing opportunities for both groups. These rehearsals are a great way to improve sight-reading skills, working as a team and mixing with pupils in other years.
Open to all year groups.Classical Guitar GroupThis group is designed to introduce classical guitarists to ensemble playing. All standards welcome! Open to all year groups.

Concert BandAll wind, brass and percussion players are welcome to take part in this ensemble, playing a mixture of popular, classical and jazz pieces. This ensemble contains a mixture of experienced and inexperienced instrumentalists. Open to all year groups.

Flute GroupFlute Group is a fun and welcoming group for any flute players in the School, performing in the main School concerts and occasional lunchtime recitals. Repertoire includes music from every era and style, with parts to suit all levels.Jazz BandApplication for membership should be made to Mr Craig in the Music Department. The Jazz Band are the stars of the annual Jazz Evening Concert, and also perform at several Christmas and summer engagements. Excellent sight-reading skills coupled with outstanding musicianship are the principal entry requirements.Lower School ChoirAll keen singers in the First and Second Form are welcome to join Lower School Choir. The group sing a varied range of repertoire, from rock to classical to jazz.Marching BandOpen to wind and brass players of at least Grade 4 standard. Come and join us as we perform well known Marches at major sports events.OrchestraThis is the School’s main orchestral ensemble. All string players from string orchestra also play in the main orchestra. Wind, brass and percussion players are invited to join us for repertoire, which has recently included Fauré’s Pavane and Grieg’s Piano Concerto.

Percussion EnsembleOpen to all who wish to play percussion in a huge variety of styles, including composing your own pieces to perform in concerts.Recorder EnsembleAn informal lunchtime group exploring a variety of one-to-a-part recorder music for various recorder sizes. Interested pupils should contact the Director of Music.Recording StudioOur state-of-the-art Recording Studio allows pupils to enhance their musical experience by recording original songs, exam pieces, or other projects. The studio is available for bookings, with Mr Craig from the Music Department on hand to support, supervise, and guide sessions. Pupils gain practical insight into studio engineering while developing both musical and production skills in a professional environment.Rock Band WorkshopWorkshopping with fully formed bands, or if you are a budding rock musician on keys, bass, guitars and/or vocals, professional coaches will place you in groups with other players. Interested musicians are encouraged to turn up to the first session and see how they get on.

Rock ChoirAt Rock Choir we sing a mix of pop and rock songs as an alternative to the traditional hymns in the abbey. Sax EnsembleSaxophone players who are Grade 4 level and above are welcome to take part in this group and the repertoire covers a mixture of styles and genres.

Senior Chamber ChoirBy audition only, the Senior Chamber Choir is a flagship ensemble performing regularly at public concerts and in the Abbey. An integral part of the Music Department’s Choral Pathway programme, this group is for potential university choral scholars and other confident and ambitious singers.String OrchestraAll string players of Grade 2 standard and above are welcome to join the String Orchestra. Recent repertoire includes Bartok’s Rumanian Dances and Britten’s Simple Symphony.

Wind BandOur Junior Wind and Brass ensemble utilises all wind and brass players who are not in the main School Orchestra. A wide range of styles are performed but we tend to focus on fun repertoire. Open to First, Second and Third Form pupils.