Every child engages in music as part of their journey through the Prep School. Music marks important stages of the year such as Remembrance, Advent, Grandparents, Harvest, Easter, Summer and Prize Giving. There is a chapel service every week with hymn singing and a choral anthem sung by one of the choirs. The annual Young Musician of the Year competition and bi-termly informal concerts give individual students the chance to showcase their progress with their visiting music teacher. The whole school comes together for large-scale music events such as the Christmas Concert, Easter Concert, Summer Concert, and House Song competition. Each term, the Music Department holds a Music@Ardingly event where we invite a well known musical artist to hold a series of workshops with our Prep and Senior School musicians culminating in an evening concert. These visiting artists have included the likes of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, the Brass Funkeys and the Benedetti Foundation.
The Prep School benefits from a dedicated Subject Lead for Music who works collaboratively with the wider College's Music Department and specialist teachers. Key Stage 1 students have a designated music classroom equipped with a full Orff xylophone set, 3 pianos and 30 violins. Key Stage 2 students share the College Music School facilities with senior students. This includes a designated Recording Studio, Band Room, Performance Recital Room space and numerous available instruments such as 3 grand pianos.
Music in the Farmhouse (Early Years-Key Stage 1)
Music is valued and prioritised from the earliest stages building childrens' confidence and engendering a love of creativity. During Early Years and Key Stage 1, children receive a weekly music session involving singing, movement, play and basic literacy. Children have the opportunity to learn the piano, recorder and violin. In Year 1 and 2, the children experience whole-lass Ocarina and Recorder learning respectfully. Regular showcases include the Christmas Nativity, the Easter Concert, the Family Concerts, assemblies and open mornings.
Prep School Music Clubs & Activities
Prep School Music Ensembles:
- Mini Fiddlers
- Fiddlers
- Cello Choir
- Concert Band
- Guitar Group
- Rock Band
- Percussion Ensemble
- Flute Choir
- Year 3-4 Choir
- Year 5 Choir
- Year 6 Choir
These ensembles are led by our expert specialist teachers and welcome students from all ability levels. All ensembles perform regularly throughout the year.
Music in The School House (Year 3 - Year 6)
The music provision in Key Stage 2 includes both weekly academic music lesson and full year-group choir session rehearsals. The curriculum integrates a Kodaly and Orff-style approach with students experiencing pitched percussion, ukulele, singing and musical literacy. All Year 3 students learn the violin through our free-of-charge "Violin Taster Scheme". From Year 4, students have access to learning a wide variety of musical instruments which gives them the opportunity of belonging to one of our many ensembles including percussion ensembles, guitar and rock groups, string orchestras and wind and brass bands. These ensembles and choirs rehearse weekly in preparation for concerts including informal and formal concerts that take place at the end of each term.