OPUS
Music at The Abbey
OPUS
Welcome to Opus — a guide to Music at The Abbey.
Music is a dynamic force with a diverse and vibrant programme of performance opportunities. We have a huge range of ensembles and deliver over 500 instrumental and vocal lessons each week. This interactive brochure contains everything you need to know about the school’s musical opportunities, along with clips of concerts and interviews with scholars.
We look forward to welcoming you to The Abbey very soon.
Helen Bilkey Director of Music
Music at The Abbey
OPUS
Music at The Abbey
We have a vibrant and eclectic programme of Co-Curricular activities which range from choirs, orchestras and chamber ensembles to rock bands, music tech clubs and even a Harp ensemble! The weekly recital series gives students regular opportunities to perform in a supportive environment which is the perfect springboard to launch them into the more formal setting of our large-scale concerts, performances and European tours. Regular masterclasses and workshops are a feature of the department as well as students composing and performing original music.
Abbey Symphony Orchestra (membership by audition)
Abbey Interludes weekly recital series
Cello Ensemble
Wind Ensemble
Lower School Choir
Aural Preparation Class - Grades 1-5 (5 weeks before practical exams each term)
suite Senior Choir (Lower V and above)
Clarinet Ensemble
GCSE Music drop-in - Composing
GCSE Music drop-in - Theory/listening
Aural Preparation Class - Grades 6-8 (5 weeks before practical exams each term)
Rock Bands (invitation only)
OPUS
Music at The Abbey
Double Reed Ensemble
Senior School
Clarinet Ensemble
Flute Ensemble
The
Harp Ensemble
Brass Ensemble
Lower School String Quartet
There
The Abbey String Orchestra
The Abbey Symphony Orchestra
A
Abbey Strings
ENSEMBLES
Senior School
at The Abbey
Student-Led
Lower School Choir
Senior Choir
The Senior Choir is open to all students in years 10, 11 and Sixth Form. Members of the choir are adept at sight singing and are therefore able to cover a huge amount of repertoire each term. The choir often undertakes European tours with a particular highlight being their performance in St Mark’s, Venice.
Cello Ensemble
Concert Band
The Concert Band is open to woodwind, brass and percussionists and performs an eclectic array of music from show tunes and pop songs to film themes and concert marches. As well as performing on a range of concert platforms, the Concert Band undertakes tours, the most recent to Malta in July 2024.
Rock Bands
As well as a
Percussion Ensemble
The Percussion Ensemble is one of our newest groups and is proving very popular. Students learn to play a range of tuned and untuned percussion instruments leading to toetapping ensemble performances.
Jazz Band
The Abbey Jazz Band is a vibrant and dynamic ensemble open to students who play saxophone, brass or percussion, giving opportunities to enhance their skills, experience the joy of collaborative musicmaking, and explore jazz and swing styles. A recent highlight was the opportunity to perform alongside the RAF Squadronaires in a fantastic evening of big band music.
Music
Technology Club
Making the most of the Music Department’s newest facility, this club allows students to experiment with and explore music using our Mac Suite installed with Logic Pro. Students are taught how to compose, record and mix in a range of genres and styles. This club focuses on the needs and requirements of the students and enables them to develop their skills in all things music production.
Music
Theory Club
Music Theory Club is open to all students across the school who would like to learn more about the theory of music. Students work at their own pace and level, supported by music staff who also prepare them for the various ABRSM graded theory examinations if the students so wish.
OPUS
Music at The Abbey
Emily is a current Music Scholar at The Abbey. Here is what she had to say about her experience so far.
MEET THE SCHOLARS
OPUS
Music at The Abbey
Our Music Scholars are among our most enthusiastic and committed musicians who are happy to make music a principal focus of their school life. We rely on our Music Scholars to be role models for other musicians in the school and thus, they are key members of the school’s musical ensembles.
Scholars are offered:
• Free tuition at school on one instrument provided by our excellent peripatetic Music team
• Participation in the annual programme of Music Scholars’ events with the opportunity to prepare performances in collaboration with our Principal Accompanist
• Workshops and masterclasses
• Concert trips to hear major performers
• Regular dialogue between Music staff and instrumental teachers concerning progress, including discussion of future opportunities for Music Scholars
Selection and assessment:
• Applicants are expected to have achieved a minimum standard of at least Grade 4 (for the UIII scholarships), but musicality, potential and enthusiasm are considered to be equally important
• Performance of a solo of their choice on their principal instrument
• Applicants will be required to undertake a short quick study task
• Interview with the Director of Music and the Head of Instrumental Studies
Major Music Award (MMA)
This is an additional award available to Sixth Form applicants only.
What do we expect from our Music Scholars?
• A high level of musical proficiency and enthusiasm
• A commitment to working with other musicians in chamber ensembles
• Willingness to be role models for other musicians
• Membership and leadership of appropriate ensembles
• Full attendance at relevant music rehearsals and at concerts
• Willingness to assist the Music Department at Open Events as appropriate
This is a very prestigious award given to our most committed musicians. Applicants are expected to perform to at least Grade 8 standard and are expected to take Music as an academic A-Level subject. Our MMA holders give extensively to the musical enrichment of The Abbey and this is reflected in the enhanced financial reward. Rigorous auditions are held. We award only one (or occasionally two) of these scholarships annually. The award is free tuition on two instruments in school plus a termly allowance towards sheet music and accessories such as reeds, strings etc.
MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS
OPUS
Music at The Abbey
Our musical year is crammed with events, both large and small, catering for our whole school community.
The annual Carol Service, held at Reading Minster, brings the school and wider community together in a joyous celebration of Christmas. This year’s service is on Thursday 5 December, when the bells will ring out and refreshments will be available from 18:30 with the service starting at 19:00
The Scholars’ concert and dinner is an opportunity for our Music Scholars to come together with friends and family, showcasing their individual talents whilst enjoying a delicious three-course dinner.
The Gala concert is a musical spectacular with performances from all the major ensembles, including the combined forces of the Symphony Orchestra and Junior School Orchestra as well as Junior School students joining the Concert Band. Recent memorable performances have included Tchaikovsky’s Adagio from Sleeping Beauty, Goff Richards’ Barnard Castle, and Bob Chilcott’s A Little Jazz Mass
OPUS
Music at The Abbey
OPUS
In Music, we aim to create a community of musicians who are not only successful in their academic and musical achievements but also benefit from the many emotional, mental and social advantages the subject brings. Students gain knowledge and skills in performance and composition while developing their listening and appraising skills. The topics and projects they access throughout their time here encourage creativity and innovation, giving them the confidence to be independent musicians and to share their own unique styles and interests through their performances and compositions. Music is compulsory in Upper III and Lower IV and becomes optional in Upper IV. Music is a popular subject at GCSE, with students going on to study Music or Music Technology at A-Level.
Music at The Abbey
Music at The Abbey