Music

Music is an important aspect of any well-rounded education. It provides an excellent opportunity for pupils to develop their own interests and talents and can be a source of confidence and artistic expression. Music is an integral part of encouraging pupils’ personal development.

At Hampton Pre-Prep & Prep, pupils are offered the opportunity to enjoy and explore music of all types through their weekly class music sessions. These sessions are taught by specialist staff, and include singing, musical appreciation, theory, composition and ensemble work. In addition, pupils benefit from taking part in visiting workshops and from participating in trips to concerts and performances in venues outside School.

At present pupils in the Prep can study piano, violin, saxophone, clarinet, guitar, percussion or voice with peripatetic teachers, and nearly half of our pupils take up this opportunity. A small number of children in the Pre-Prep also have the chance to begin learning the piano or violin. Experience of ensemble playing and singing is provided through membership of our choir, orchestra, ukulele group and wind band.

Performance is an important part of the musical experience at Hampton Pre-Prep & Prep. All pupils learning an instrument, no matter what their standard, are encouraged to play in morning assemblies, and this supportive environment is a wonderful way for pupils to develop confidence. Throughout the year, our children have many other opportunities to flex their creative muscles with class assemblies, half termly concerts, Carol Service, and large-scale musical productions at the end of each term. At the end of the summer term, pupils in the Pre-Prep present a summer concert to their parents and every pupil in the Prep department takes part in our Summer Proms Picnic concert.

Whilst it is understood that some will become accomplished in this discipline, and we are proud of the excellent standards many Hampton Prep boys achieve, our aim is that all children at the School should be literate in, and have an appreciation of, music in all its various forms.