Music

Music at Merchant Taylors' Prep is an inclusive activity for all boys from Nursery to Year 8. Boys receive specialist tuition in the subject from a specialist music teacher. The scheme of learning enables boys to develop their musical skills, knowledge and understanding through composing, performing, listening and appraising in a wide variety of styles and genres. Facilities are of a very high standard, with two well-resourced teaching rooms and a suite of practice facilities for instrumental tuition. 

Instrumental tuition is available to all boys from Year 2 onwards and is provided by a team of 11 specialist peripatetic teachers. Tuition is available on: 

• woodwind (flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone and bassoon); 
• brass (cornet, trumpet, French horn, baritone and trombone); 
• strings (violin, viola and cello); 
• drum kit and orchestral percussion;
• guitar (classical, acoustic, electric and bass); 
• piano;
• voice 

All boys are encouraged to take up an instrument. Our peripatetic offering is supplemented by further initiatives, such as our Year 1 orchestral instruments programme, which gives boys the opportunity to experience playing woodwind, string and brass instruments before signing up for formal one-to-one tuition in Year 2. 

The music department boasts a large number of groups for our boys to participate in, including four choirs (Pre-Prep Voices, Taylors’ Trebles, the Merchant Singers and Choristers); four instrumental ensembles (brass, wind, strings and guitar); and the Francis Terry Orchestra. Recitals, competitions and other performance opportunities are held regularly throughout the year to develop boys’ confidence and musicianship, and we stage a number of annual musical theatre productions in collaboration with the drama department. The music department has strong links with Merchant Taylors’ School, and we often join forces to take part in concerts and events together. 

In recent years, a number of our pupils have won prestigious music scholarships to Merchant Taylors’ School, Harrow School, John Lyon School and Aldenham School.