MCS has a long-standing tradition of musical excellence. Music is a key part in the life of the school and during its long and illustrious history, the school has trained many musicians who have contributed in widely varying ways to musical life, either as writers of popular songs or hymn tunes, professors of music, conductors, cathedral organists, jazz musicians, opera and oratorio singers, principal players in symphony orchestras, sound engineers and producers.

The department has a team of dedicated full and part-time staff who encourage pupils at all levels to fulfil their musical potential. A team of 27 visiting music teachers offer instrumental tuition in piano, organ, all the standard orchestral instruments, guitar (acoustic and bass) saxophone, percussion, and voice. Each term the school enters pupils for Associated Board and Trinity Guildhall music examinations. Results in recent years have been outstanding with most pupils achieving distinctions and merits. A number of pupils are also members of the Junior Music Departments at either the Royal College or the Royal Academy of Music.

We believe that taking part in a musical ensemble is important not only in developing musical skills but also in fostering a strong sense of community within the department. We therefore offer a wide range of ensembles to cater for differing abilities and skills. These include 3 orchestras, 2 Jazz bands, a percussion ensemble, samba band and variety string and wind ensembles. Each term there are a variety of formal and informal concerts which gives the groups and individuals the opportunity to gain performance experience.

As a choir school, MCS naturally has a very strong tradition of choral singing. The various choral groups include a Choral Society, Madrigal Society, Close Harmony group and The Oxford Sixth (a select mixed choir involving some of the best young singers in Oxford). The groups perform a mix of repertoire and perform throughout the year in a variety of formal and informal musical settings including at the Sheldonian Theatre, the Holywell Music Rooms as well as the annual 'Madrigals on the River'. All pupils sing regularly in Chapel and each year every pupil competes in the House Singing Competition.

Each term the department produces a diary of music events to which parents, friends and pupils are most welcome.