Music is often described as the “universal language,” but that phrase doesn’t quite capture its true weight. It isn’t just a way to communicate; it’s a physiological hack, a time machine, and a social glue that has held human civilisation together since we first started drumming on hollow logs.

At The Abbey, music is a part of everyday life. From academic lessons, to choirs, to ensembles to peripatetic music lessons, not to mention the countless performances which take place. This week was particularly special as we came together as a whole school for our Gala Concert which included joint pieces from Junior and Senior School choirs and musicians.

This got me thinking about the power of music and the impact it has on our lives. Music isn’t just a break from the grind—it’s the secret sauce that makes our brains sharper, our friendships deeper, and our school culture vibrant. Just hearing the opening notes of a song can transport us back to a specific memory and instantly change our mood.

So what is the science behind music?

Music is uniquely tied to the hippocampus and the amygdala, the parts of the brain responsible for memory and emotion. This is why memories quickly surface when we hear a familiar tune and it stays rooted in our long-term memory. In terms of training our brains, neuroscience shows that playing an instrument is one of the few activities that engages both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously. With the left side, Maths and logical thinking, being used to track rhythm, count beats, and understand the physics of sound, while the right, the creative and artistic side, working to interpret emotion, phrasing, and improvisation. When students practice music, they are also strengthening the corpus callosum, the bridge between the two sides of the brain, which improves problem-solving skills across all other subjects.

As important, if not more so, is the community which music creates. When people listen to music together, their heartbeats and breathing patterns actually begin to synchronise and there is that sense of belonging, a shared language and sense of identity. We are lucky enough to see this every day at school, whether it’s a student singing as they walk down the corridor, a choir delivering harmonies or the orchestra bringing their instruments together to create a piece. One song which is guaranteed to make me smile, and maybe well up a bit, is ‘Why We Sing’. If you haven’t heard it, a listen is definitely required. This song has been performed at our Junior School Celebration Afternoon with all our students, from Nursery to L3, coming together to perform as one. This in itself is special but the lyrics are also poignant. References to a sound of peace, hope and love as well as music having the ability to build a bridge and provide a common language for all, serve to remind us just how powerful music can be.

Music isn’t an “extra.” It is a fundamental part of how we learn, how we connect, and how we stay sane. So, whether you’re a Grade 8 pianist or someone who can barely hum in tune, don’t take the music for granted. Join a choir, pick up an instrument, or just stop and listen for a moment.

Helen Bond, Assistant Head