We returned from the spring break straight into our first concert of the term on 17th April with a wonderful evening of Jazz.
Small ensembles and soloists gave us a great cross-section of Jazz greats including I’ve Got You Under My Skin by Cole Porter, Summertime by George Gershwin, I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to be Free (as famously performed by Nina Simone); and Mack the Knife sung in German by Kurt Weill. A week later advanced soloists from across Years 7-10 performed a lovely selection of recital pieces, including Violin Concerto and Cello Suite by JS Bach and the Impromptu in B minor by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
Two lunchtime concerts at the beginning of May provided an opportunity for our Year 10 IGCSE musicians to perform solo pieces in preparation for their final assessed recital later in the year. Those concerts featured pieces including WA Mozart Flute Concerto, Kenneth Leighton Elegie, Chopin Nocturne in C sharp minor and the Massenet Thais Meditation. With senior school students turning towards examinations, the Music School turned its focus towards three partnership events during this past two weeks. Year 4 children from local Primary schools as well as our Junior School Year 4 students got together for a fabulous day of choral music-making. This was the second year we have run this event and really brings out the power of music to connect people together in common purpose.
For our second event, we had a wonderful day of music-making with our Junior School Year 5 children, who joined us for a senior music day, featuring singing and classroom composition activities, some of which were presented in a short concert to parents at the end of the day. Our final partnership event was one focusing on Continuing Professional Development for the Music curriculum staff and we were pleased to welcome Sarah Murphy of Chethams School to come and lead us through a busy day of learning strategies, curriculum updates and resource-sharing for AQA A Level Music. This was also a great day for networking with three music teachers from other schools joining us in the training.
Half Term is upon us but do watch this space for the final portion of this academic year culminating in our Summer Concert. Best wishes from the Music Department.
Scott McCall, Director of Music
