After a joyous start to the academic year, the Senior School Music Department came together to produce not one but two concerts in the second half of this Autumn Term, as well as showcasing the breadth of musical talent which this school has to offer in our House Music Competition. 

With over 70 students participating in House Music across 10 different instrumental classes in November, our visiting adjudicator Gabriella Jones had quite the task in choosing the winners throughout the day. A winner was selected from each of the instrumental classes who then had the opportunity to perform in front of the entire school, showcasing a mixture of classical, jazz, musical theatre and pop. Our overall winner, Rosa from Year 10, secured the top spot with the first movement of Benjamin Britten’s Six Metamorphoses After Ovid, a provoking piece of program music for solo oboe. Ms Jones, our adjudicator and a professional violinist, ended the day with a beautifully evocative piece on her Baroque violin. 

In that same week, we held our first concert of the year, with ten ensembles of varying sizes performing in the Theatre. Sinfonia kicked off the show with a magical performance of Morning Mood by Edvard Grieg, followed by our talented wind and string quartets. Next our Clara Schumann string ensemble played Brahms beautifully and our recorder ensemble proved the warming versatility of an often-forgotten instrument. The second half brought a joyous performance of I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific by the Rollin’ Tones, then Need for Reed played a toe-tapping arrangement of Dua Lipa’s Levitating. The concert was rounded off in style by our Rock Band, Mini Rock Band and Jazz Band who all left the audience wanting more. We were so proud of each and every performer, once again demonstrating the true versatility and variety of music at Blackheath High School. 

For the last concert of 2023, we joined forces with the Junior School at the Old Royal Naval College for the show-stopping Christmas Carol Concert. Accompanied by eight professional brass players, our exceptional organist and a hearty selection of our peripatetic teachers, both the Junior and Senior Schools truly brought the magic of Christmas to the beautiful surroundings of the Chapel of St Peter & St Paul. With the world premiere of Fireworks of the Pirates, composed by Year 11 Music Scholar Lillia-Rose, and rousing fanfares leading into well-known carols, our student brass ensemble had a great deal of responsibility, and we are beyond proud of their playing. This was also the first public performance for our Year 7 Choir who sang Jingle Bell Rock with aplomb, as well as a beautiful three-part harmony version of Away in a Manger with Ellie as our soloist. We rounded off the concert with the Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten, with our Year 12 Scholar, Tiana, accompanying Vocalise and the Chamber Choir on the harp. The Year 7 Choir joined for the final movement - Deo Gracias - creating a 150-strong choir and filling the Chapel with sound.    

On top of these major events, the students in the Music Department have taken part in many other activities this term including: another successful musical adventure at Classics for Kids; a student-led rendition of The Last Post for Armistice Day by Amy in Year 11; a day of ABRSM instrumental and singing exams; and a trip to Westcombe Park Care Home to entertain residents with Christmas music. We take as much pride in these smaller activities as we do with our big showcase events. 

The Music Department will be looking forward to a slightly calmer January as we begin preparing our Spring Concert and the Spring Musical, 9 to 5, with rehearsals already underway for the latter. Thank you for all your continued support and we look forward to welcoming you back in the new year. 

Written by the Music Department 

Dates for the diary for 2024:

• 9 to 5: The Musical – Thursday 7 and Friday 8 March 2024 at 7:30pm 

• Spring Concert – Wednesday 20 March 2024