Headington School’s state-of-the-art new Music School opened its doors for the first time this month, and we were delighted when parent and music legend Brian Eno joined us on Foundation Day to declare the building officially open.

The Music School features a professional recording studio, an electronics studio, and teaching and performance spaces for individuals and groups of all sizes.

Music is an integral part of school life at Headington, with more than 400 individual music lessons taking place each week.

Around 70 ABRSM examinations are held every term with girls tackling grades 1-8 in a wide range of instruments from voice to violin, harp to trumpet and saxophone to electric guitar.

Curricular and extra-curricular music thrive, with a team of 30 visiting instrumental teachers giving lessons each week, more than 20 different instrumental and vocal ensembles meeting regularly to rehearse, and composition and performance opportunities for girls of all ages, both within and beyond their timetabled music lessons.

With the opening of our new Music School, Headington musicians will benefit from the long-awaited opportunity to access the top-quality resources that will enable girls of all ages to take their work to the next level.

The Music School will provide a top class venue for curricular music lessons, with whole-class teaching spaces equipped with networked keyboards and computers; airy mirrored individual and ensemble teaching rooms and performance spaces, both indoors and out. GCSE and A-Level music have long been popular at Headington, and the option to study music is also available to our IB candidates from September 2009.

The completion of the new Music School enables us to offer an additional A-Level in Music Technology, with girls using the state-of-the-art new music recording suite in the west wing of the building.

An electronics studio further enriches the girls' musical opportunities.

The Music School was formally opened in July. Speaking at the opening, Mr Eno said: “I sneaked a look inside the studio, which looks lovely and I'm envious of the girls being able to use it. It is fitting that a progressive school such as Headington should choose to add to its music department this kind of facility for new music.”

Brian Eno's influence on the development of popular music over the past four decades has been unparallelled.

His work has spanned generations and musical genres, never failing in its innovation, creativity and willingness to embrace new ideas and methodologies, constantly reinventing the parameters of modern music.

We have every hope that the music produced in our new music school will be characterised by the flavour of Brian Eno's intellectual curiosity and creative spirit. Drawing upon the very best international music traditions, we want Headington musicians to be unafraid to try new things, embracing music in its widest sense.

Tours of the new Music School were offered to Headington parents and guests on Foundation Day, the celebration of the school's foundation with which every summer term traditionally ends.

If you would like the opportunity to visit the new facility for yourself, join us for an Open Morning in the coming months for a tour and the opportunity to meet students and the Director of Music.

Alternatively, join us in October for our Celebration of Music festival, a week-long series of concerts, recitals, masterclasses and competitions, celebrating the opening of the new Music School.

Our Celebration of Music runs from October 3-10. Highlights will include 'The ‘H’ Factor', an ‘X’ Factor-style talent show; a performance of Vivaldi's Gloria by Headington parents, girls and staff; performances from Prep School musicians; visiting Jazz artists; Onyx Brass and more.

Full details of the Celebration of Music programme and how to book tickets will be available from Headington School’s website in the autumn term.