Prep (Nursery - Year 6) Senior (Year 7 - Sixth Form)

World Ready

A World of Music

A World of Music

Step into the World of Music!

Alongside the strong academic music culture that the College enjoys, extra-curricular music makes up a thriving and growing pillar in the school also. With seven full-time staff members and twenty-six visiting music teachers, students are given the opportunity of learning any type of instrument, vocal style, and electronic music making. This year there are 50 ensembles, some 480 weekly private lessons, 60 planned concerts including one in St John’s Smith Square and two tours, one to Normandy and one to Wales. Whether you’re a seasoned musician or a budding enthusiast, there is a note for everyone. Use our filter to discover the ensemble that resonates with your musical passion.

< back to previous page

Filter results by:

Schola Cantorum

(Invite only) Schola Cantorum is the most elite and busy of the musical ensembles at Ardingly College, rehearsing and performing regularly for College events. In the past five years they have recorded two CDs and given performances in Malta, Prague, Queens’ College Oxford, St Mary Redcliff Bristol, Westminster Abbey, Trinity Laban Greenwich, and St Paul’s Cathedral. This year, the choir will be performing at Westminster Abbey, Girton College Cambridge, and compete in the Choir of the World Competition in Llangollen, Wales. The choir enjoys a wide-ranging repertoire from early sixteenth-century polyphony to jazz, musical theatre and pop arrangements. 

Who is it open to?

All years

Where does it take place?

Recital Room

When does it happen?

Tuesdays, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Who is in charge?

TJC

Chapel Choir

There is a strong tradition of choral excellence at Ardingly with numerous different choral opportunities available for students. The Chapel Choir is made up of all ages in the Senior School, from Year 7s through to staff. It is the only group in the school that serves the entire school community. The choir sings as part of the weekly chapel services with a variety of SATB music that spans the liturgical and compositional canon, but also branches into Barbershop and pop. Central highlights of the year include the Carol Services, a concert at St John’s Smith Square and a tour – this year to Normandy.

Who is it open to?

All years, Staff

Where does it take place?

Chapel

When does it happen?

Mondays, Fridays, 1:30pm - 2:15pm

Who is in charge?

TJC

Music Activities

  • Chamber Music 
  • Music Production and Recording 
  • Theory 
  • Composition Club 

Alongside the large ensembles, there is provision for a range of musical activities that give Ardingly’s students the opportunity to work with our 30-strong music staff of specialists. This year we have some 40 small ensembles in the College including acapella vocal groups, string quartets, cello choir, piano trios, wind, brass and percussion groups. These ensembles perform in various concerts throughout the year, some competing in the national Pro Corda music competitions. Contemporary music is on the rise at Ardingly with some six rock bands and a growing number of song writers. These musicians also have plenty of opportunity to perform at events such as the “Hello Yellow” concert and the ABC (Anything But Classical) concert. The Music School has a brand-new recording suite and will be holding regular training in sound recording, digital music composition, DJing, song writing and audio engineering in our Music Activity EP sessions.  

Who is it open to?

All years

Where does it take place?

Music School

When does it happen?

Thursdays, 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Who is in charge?

TJC

Jazz Band

(Invite Only) The Jazz Band is currently one of the busiest ensembles in the school. Playing at Open Days, the highlighted Cabaret evening and all the major concerts, this ensemble is often the face of music in the school. Playing a large repertoire ranging from jazz, pop, funk and fusion, the Jazz Band meets on a Thursday evening from 1815-1900. 

Who is it open to?

All years

Where does it take place?

Band Room

When does it happen?

Thursdays, 6:15pm - 7:00pm

Who is in charge?

TJC

Intro to DJ’ing (Thursday)

Who is it open to?

Fifth, LVI, UVI

Where does it take place?

Music Studio Live Room

When does it happen?

Thursdays, 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Symphony Orchestra

The Symphony Orchestra meet once a week and primarily work towards the end of term showcase concerts including the prestigious concert at St John’s Smith Square. Meeting on Monday afternoons, this term the Orchestra will be playing works including Bernstein’s iconic West Side Story, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, various concertos for our student soloists, as well as a film-music themed outdoor summer concert.  

Who is it open to?

All years

Where does it take place?

Recital Room

When does it happen?

Mondays, 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Who is in charge?

TJC

Getting to know Opera (Monday)

Getting to know some famous and accessible operas: the stories, the music, the singers, the passion, the drama. Be transported by the music to different times and places.

Who is it open to?

Fifth, LVI, UVI

Where does it take place?

A4

When does it happen?

Mondays, 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Who is in charge?

CJP

Concert Band (Monday)

At approximately 90-strong, the Senior School Concert Band is the largest ensemble in the school, aiming to include all students who play a wind or brass instrument. Also meeting on Monday afternoons, the Concert Band tends to play lighter popular music, well known to students and parents alike, and performs in the Christmas and Summer concerts. 

Who is it open to?

All years

Where does it take place?

Recital Room

When does it happen?

Mondays, 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Who is in charge?

GXP, SMS