After a hectic Autumn term, one would think that the Music Department would take the chance to slow the pace down a little – but with so many talented students eager to play and learn, we are always excited for the next challenge!

Our huge array of co-curricular clubs and individual music lessons began on the very first day of the Spring Term - and we’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge thanks to our dedicated peripatetic teachers. The Music Department would not be able to nurture each student’s musical talent and ability without these fantastic, enthusiastic and talented teachers who provide so many opportunities, and it is wonderful to see the positive effect these achievements have on student wellbeing. 

In early January we hosted the 11+ Music Scholar auditions for students from the Junior School and external schools. It was a joyous session - candidates were brimming with excitement and we were astonished by the talent on display. Each of our current music scholars underwent the same process before they joined in Year 7, and we are delighted with how they have all represented the Department with confidence and skill since then. We had the wonderful opportunity to showcase this commitment at our Music Scholars’ Concert on 30 January. With music from J.S. Bach, written in the early 1700s, to pieces composed in the 1990s, played on a wide variety of instruments – piano, clarinet, French horn, descant recorder, oboe, violin, cello, harp and voice - the audience was blown away by the level of technical difficulty and expression with which Scholars played. 

A week later we held our Teatime Concert, where students from across the school volunteered to perform at a special concert which offered a healthy balance of piano, voice and flute, with a few duets thrown in for good measure. Being able to stand up and perform a piece of music in front of an audience is an incredible way to build confidence and it also requires a great deal of discipline to bring the piece to a performance standard; many of these performers also needed to work collaboratively with their accompanist. These are skills which our students can bring into any career path in the future, music or otherwise. 

As well as our many music activities this term, we are hugely enjoying working alongside Head of Drama Ms Coles, who is working incredibly hard bringing the Spring Musical ‘9 to 5’ to life. With a limited rehearsal period, cast members have stepped up to the plate and are truly giving their all – book your tickets now, if you haven’t already. It promises to be a night to remember!

We also have our Spring Concert at the wonderful St. Alfege’s Church on Wednesday 20 March at 7pm, where you’ll be able to hear music from many of our co-curricular ensembles, ranging from rock bands to string quartets.  

We can’t wait to bring you performances from all our talented students. In the meantime, have a wonderful half term break! 

Written by the Music Department