Music is an integral part of life. We listen to it while walking to work or school, we hear the melodies of student musicians filling school hallways. We feel it flow through our body at concerts. Music is the lifeblood that gives everyone a voice and a means to express themselves.

Guildford County School’s recent ‘Sound Intent’ concert at G Live exemplified this power of music, showcasing the diverse talents of nearly 300 students. The performers included seven choirs and nine senior instrumental ensembles, from the Funk Collective and Big Band to the County Folk Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra and several choirs, as well as talented soloists.

A full day of technical and dress rehearsals ensured that everything ran smoothly on the night, providing insight into the life of the theatre. Students rehearsed, performed and worked in a professional performance environment, witnessing the amount of work involved in putting on a performance of this scale; valuable experience for those who might wish to work in this field later in life.

Research has shown that playing an instrument is the only art form that uses all areas of the brain simultaneously. Additionally, it cultivates valuable skills in deconstructing a piece of music to understand the basics, building it back up layer by layer, helping to develop a deeper understanding of the way the piece ebbs and flows. Playing music together not only builds a sense of community, but also improves the ability to actively listen to others – something fundamentally lacking in a world where listening to others is a skill in itself.

However, this feeling is not available to all students across the UK. Only 12% of state schools have orchestras, as has been highlighted by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, older brother of the school’s patron Julian Lloyd Webber. Yet these musical opportunities provide so much to students, both holistically and educationally. To those in the midst of exams, music provides a welcome break from revision. More broadly, playing an instrument begins to break down the cultural idea that failure is a bad thing, instead recognising the freedom it offers. It increases resilience as we learn to appreciate our mistakes, without which, we wouldn’t know the boundlessness of our ability to improve.

Guildford County School is a member of ‘Music Mark – leaders in music education’ who ‘collectively form a national network of organisations and individuals providing high quality music education for all children and young people’. Director of Music at Guildford County School, Mrs Caroline Gale, believes: “Music embraces the intention of growth – recognising, nurturing and fostering the first spark of talent. Then often follows, naturally, the development of many essential skills and instincts; those of self-discipline, craftsmanship, perseverance, compassion, courage, pride and collaboration and all experienced holistically through emotions.”

The school continues to demonstrate its uniqueness in providing experience in musical genres from classical to rap for so many students. The talents that can be explored when students have access to these outstanding opportunities, illustrates how music can be used to communicate true purpose and intent.