Compulsory classroom music in Upper Schools is often not only ineffective but occasionally counterproductive. The enthusiastic young musician may be deterred from pursuing and enjoying the subject on account of the apathy or hostility of his or her contemporaries.

By permitting the motivated children to choose to study music, in other words to ‘opt in’, their interest and general musical education is greatly enriched. They are being taught in the company of like-minded enthusiasts.

Extra-curricular activities, which the author regards as a pinnacle of music making in the Upper School, receive enhanced status because of the standing of the subject in the school at classroom level.