Welcome from the Director of Music

Once again, our newsletter is full of celebration. Celebration of the hundreds who have performed in recent weeks, celebration for the hundreds who have come to watch, enjoy and be proud. Families coming together, our musical community listening in awe to our musicians. There have been so many lifelong memories.

There is more to come – a Rock Gig, a Year 2 celebration and 64 musicians taking an instrumental exam. “It takes a village to raise a child”. Team Music is our village. The support that our musicians have from so many both in school and at home is incredible.

March is always busy. The musicians have risen to the challenge in spectacular style. Well done to everyone. Thank you for being part of Team Music. You don’t get this anywhere else!

Mark Taylor
Director of Music
Simon Balle Music and the Laurel Education Trust

Celebrating our Musical Curriculum

KS2 Curriculum

Year 3 have been making their own 4-beat rhythm compositions, using crotchets, quavers and minims. They have also enjoyed watching excerpts from the show ‘Stomp,’ which demonstrates how rhythm can be found in the most unlikely places!

KS3 – Year 7

Looking at rhythm, Year 7 are currently experiencing Samba – the distinctive sounds and instruments from Brazil. It is fabulous to hear classes coming together as a band, learning new rhythms and developing ensemble skills.

Celebrating your Musicians

Larch Star Assembly Performances

Each Thursday, as part of the KS2 Celebration Assembly, musicians perform to their peers. Congratulations to the following performers!

Cornet: 

• Adam

Flute

• Jasmine
• Emmie
• Intil

Violin

• Lucas
• Iris

Music Medals

Congratulations to the following students who have passed their music medals!

Flute

• Zak for passing his Bronze Music Medal
• Emmie for passing her Bronze Music Medal
• Jasmine for passing her Bronze Music Medal

Team Music Awards

Congratulations to all of the February Team Music Nominees:

The past couple of weeks have been a time of celebration. Of excellent exam results (and so many of them) and an amazing Brass concert last night. Our aim is to have high expectations and musical pathways, but to inspire and ensure musicians love their music.

Next half term we have so many performances to look forward to celebrating our musicians. These take hours of rehearsal and planning, bringing our school and musical community together in quite a unique way.

Simon Balle Music is amazing. Thank you to everyone who is part of it. By working together, amazing musical experiences are created!

Mark Taylor
Director of Music
Simon Balle Music and the Laurel Education Trust

KS2 Curriculum

Year 3 have been making their own 4-beat rhythm compositions, using crotchets, quavers and minims. They have also enjoyed watching excerpts from the show ‘Stomp,’ which demonstrates how rhythm can be found in the most unlikely places!

KS4 Curriculum

Year 11 have started the exciting process of recording their ensemble performances. Our rock and pop musicians have been working on a Bryan Adams tune, whilst our wind and brass players have been rehearsing a variety of styles, from trumpet quartets to sax ensembles. 

Composition deadlines are fast approaching for Years 11 & 13, with the next step being remastering and polishing their pieces, alongside their important written accounts and logs.

Exam Success

Trinity Exams

Music Medals

Congratulations to the following students who have passed their music medals!

Piano 

• Ariana for passing her Copper Music Medal
• Ethan for passing his Silver Music Medal

Saxophone

• Izaak for passing his Copper Music Medal

Larch Star Assembly Performances

Each Thursday, as part of the KS2 Celebration Assembly, musicians perform to their peers. Congratulations to the following performers!

Clarinet: 

• Emme, 
• Heidi, 
• Queenie, 
• Isabelle 
• Juliette

Cello: 

• James
• Jacob
• Finlay
• Ethan

Well done to all the Simon Balle and Mill Mead students who have put in so much work to creating fabulous music! A special shout out to the soloists of the evening, Poppy, May and Lincoln!

Thank you to Mr D Taylor and Mr Peach for the bespoke arrangements and the work to get the students to this standard, it is truly incredible!

Enjoy the audios here!

All-through Brass Celebration – February 2026

We are moving into the assessment windows of exams, performances and achievements. A week of Trinity exams next week and at the end of term. Our annual Prom featuring the Concert Orchestra, choirs and chorus is in March, next to the amazing Evening with the Simon Balle Big Band.

Exams should be a reason for celebration - I can do this, look what I have achieved. Of course, they take preparation and focus, but so does so much in life!

Good luck to everyone next week in the exams, and in the future with preparation and practice. This is all part of being a lifelong musician.

Mark Taylor
Director of Music
Simon Balle Music and the Laurel Education Trust

KS1 Curriculum

Year 1 have been continuing their understanding of pulse through songs, games and movement. Year 2 are learning how to play songs we have learnt on the glockenspiel and starting to look at notes on the stave. Year 3 have been writing their own rhythm compositions, and performing them on untuned percussion instruments. 

KS3 Curriculum

Year 7 have been hard at work in the practice rooms each week, putting together group performances of ‘Blowing in the Wind’. They have been learning the chord progression on a mixture of ukuleles and keyboards, with one drummer in each group helping to keep everyone in time. 

Similarly, Year 9 are building upon their ensemble experience, learning to play the reggae track ‘One Love’ in bands. On a mixture of electric guitar, electric bass, keyboard and drums, they have been enjoying the challenge of learning more advanced instrumental techniques and aiming for strong polished performances.

Team Music Awards - January 2026

We are excited to announce our Monthly Team Music Award. Teachers across the department nominate students along with a reason - this could be for a number of reasons. 

The Team Music Award ensures students are recognised and celebrated within the context of their musical learning as achievements look different for everyone! 

Congratulations to our January winners!

Well done to everyone who performed at this week's Vocal Recital, showing great confidence and musicality.

It was fantastic to showcase the performances to families and friends.

Vocal Recital – January 2026

This week we have been full on with our primary work. This is so important, for our primary musicians are the next generation! Every July when Year 13 leave, we are asked how we keep things alive and moving. Here is one example!

Bringing musicians from the primary phases of Simon Balle and Mill Mead together on Tuesday was amazing. I had heard so much about the Young Voices experience at the O2, so it was fantastic to finally take part. Months of organisation and so many rehearsals culminated in such a memorable experience, both for the musicians and families who attended. Such energy in performance, even at the end of a long day. The musicians were utterly fabulous, respectful and so well behaved  - a total credit to our schools and families. Thank you to everyone who has emailed in about the experience!

Music is so much part of our schools and the Laurel Education Trust. With Simon Balle Year 13 musicians about to perform their final recitals, it all has to start somewhere - being inspired at such a young age.

Mark Taylor

Director of Music
Simon Balle Music and the Laurel Education Trust

Young Voices

On Tuesday, Mill Mead and Simon Balle’s Year 4, 5 & 6 Choirs performed at the O2 as part of the Young Voices experience. 

The day consisted of rehearsals and an evening concert with over 8000 other students from all over! 

Throughout the course of the day, all of our students behaved so well, and their enthusiasm was unwavering, despite the fact it was a long day! Such fun was had and memories were made for students and staff alike! 

This was such a rewarding day for all involved, and a reminder to us of how incredible our students are! 

As staff members who attended, we are so unbelievably proud. Well done to all!

Celebrating our Musical Curriculum

KS2 Curriculum

Year 4 have started looking at the fascinating rhythms of traditional West African music! They have been playing complex rhythmic patterns on djembes and conga drums, learning about call and response. 

Later in the term they will move on to look at Indian Classical music; composing on Soundtrap using Raga scales, using Indian instruments such as sitars, tanpuras and tablas.

KS4 Curriculum

Our GCSE musicians continue to work hard on their coursework - year 10 are focusing on their free compositions, whilst year 11 are preparing for their performance recordings. Busy but exciting times!

Across the Laurel Education Trust, music has been thriving. Simon Balle Music leads the work and our passion for inspiring students through music has reached a new audience at Mill Mead. It is wonderful that so many are part of Team Music in both our schools. This newsletter celebrates music across the Trust and across our musical community, so that we can all share what our students are achieving and that the youngest can see and hear what they could achieve in the future - inspiring the next musical generation.

On behalf of Simon Balle Music, Merry Christmas and thank you for your support and working with us. We are amazing musical schools and an amazing musical community!

Mark Taylor

Director of Music
Simon Balle Music and the Laurel Education Trust

Celebrating our Musical Curriculum

KS1 Curriculum

The children in KS1 have been practicing our Carols for the service at the church next week. We have been focusing on projecting our voices, learning the words off by heart and how to stand when performing. The children are very excited, and I’m sure their singing will be a moving part of the service.

KS2 Curriculum

Year 4 have been exploring the wonderful world of Musical Theatre! They have sung a variety of songs from shows such as The Sound of Music, Oliver! and Cats, developing their voices and singing in split parts. 

Year 6 have been looking at the Romantic Era of orchestral music, delving into the magic of story telling through music. As part of this topic, they have sequenced in 3 parts to ‘Morning Mood’ by Grieg onto Soundtrap, challenging their keyboard playing skills and knowledge of music technology.

KS5 Curriculum

Years 12 & 13 have been hard at work with their compositions. Year 12 are currently working on their ‘free’ compositions, meaning they choose their own style to compose in; they have been very creative with their initial ideas, and are now developing their melodies. Year 13 are working on their Western Classical compositions this year, meaning they have to compose in a specific orchestral style, which is a real challenge. They have come up with some fantastic ideas so far, and are working on structuring them into historically accurate classical works. 

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Pink Panther

Team Music Awards - December 2025

We are excited to announce our Monthly Team Music Award. Teachers across the department nominate students along with a reason - this could be for a number of reasons. 

The Team Music Award ensures students are recognised and celebrated within the context of their musical learning as achievements look different for everyone! 

Congratulations to our December winners!

Our school community came together for our wonderful Carol Services at All Saint’s Church this week. All who took part were fabulous and represented the school so well. It was inspiring to be part of these annual events, reflecting on how special it is to be part of Simon Balle All-through School.

Our amazing Music Ambassadors were an incredible team not only helping set up and pack down, but support our youngest musicians at the Larch Services. Team Music really is unique!

Do have a listen to the recordings and revisit the festive performances.

Secondary Carol Service – December 2025

Larch Carol Service – December 2025

This term, Simon Balle Music has begun working with everyone at Mill Mead Primary School as part of the Laurel Education Trust. It has been lovely to work together and create as many musical opportunities as possible. 37% of Mill Mead students are learning an instrument - this is incredible! 

Mrs Nunn has been leading the curriculum teaching.  She writes:

Reception and Y1 have been busy learning about pulse through songs and movement, and recognising high and low notes. We have also been learning how music can tell a story, without needing to use words.

Y2 and Y3 have been learning to play songs on the glockenspiel, and we have started to discuss how notes can be presented on the page.

Y4 has had a great term being introduced to the violin and cello, learning to play a variety of pieces using the open strings. They have also been introduced to simple notation, including pitch and rhythm.

Y5 and Y6 have spent the term working really hard learning brass instruments, which culminated in a wonderful performance of pieces including ‘I Feel Good’ and ‘Jingle Bells.’

The recordings for the Brass performances can be found here:

All year groups should feel so proud of the wonderful progress they have made in their music this term. 

Last Sunday, the Mill Mead choir went with Miss Hill to the United Reform Church to sing as part of one of their services. Thank you to Miss Hill for all her support for Team Music Mill Mead!

Fife writes: We sang lots of Christmas songs and it was really fun. 

Honor writes: I really enjoyed singing the different songs with the choir and the church - they even gave us biscuits  at the end. I’m really excited to go back next year. 

Darcey writes: I really enjoyed it because we had lovely songs and the funny actions to go with them. I really want to go back next year.

 

Well done to everyone at Mill Mead - see you in January!

In January the Mill Mead Choir will be joining the Simon Balle Larch choir at the O2 for the Young Voices event. We are all really looking forward to it!

Please can everyone rehearse the songs over the Christmas break!

Simon Balle Music is all about getting involved.

Ensembles, reading music, making music, being part of the team - Team Music.

I must be honest here. I am regularly asked how musicians can get involved. The answer - ask. Read music, have a wide pallet of styles and step up to be part of our incredible music. We try to encourage as many musicians to take part in Team Music, our ensembles and our performances. We need the musicians to embrace our ethos, work hard, listen to music, practice, take advice and understand that they will have to get out of their comfort zone. Sometimes, someone at home will have to ask for them.

Therefore, I am setting all musicians and families a challenge....

How much are you part of Simon Balle Music?

KS1 & 2 Curriculum

Reception have been recognising the pulse in music, then showing it physically in different ways, such as marching and clapping. We have particularly enjoyed using familiar music for this activity, such as ‘Carol of the Bells’ from ‘Home Alone.’ 

Y1 have been listening to ‘The March of the Toy Soldiers' from ‘The Nutcracker', and recognising the themes that represent different characters.

Y2 are continuing to learn pieces on the glockenspiel, and were particularly excited to start ‘Jingle Bells’ this week!

Y3’s reading of notation has been challenged this week by finding a piece written on the board, using their skills to read the notes, then playing it on the glockenspiel.  It's been very rewarding when the children have an idea of what it might be just from reading, and it’s confirmed through their playing!

KS3 Curriculum

This term has been a vibrant and engaging one across the Key Stage 3 music curriculum, with each year group developing their practical musicianship while deepening their understanding of key musical genres and traditions.

Year 7 have been focusing on performance skills through the study of contemporary folk music. Using ukuleles as their primary instrument, pupils have learnt how to produce clear, confident chords and strumming patterns, working both individually and in small ensembles. Alongside developing secure instrumental technique, they have explored the features that define contemporary folk, discussing how traditional influences blend with modern songwriting.

Year 8 have continued to build their rhythmic fluency in the Beats and Grooves unit. This has involved hands-on performance work on the drum kit, learning to perform in three contrasting styles: rock, ballad and jazz. Pupils have gained an understanding of genre-specific drum patterns, the role of the drummer within an ensemble, and how dynamics and tempo shape a successful groove. This practical emphasis has supported the development of coordination, accuracy and ensemble awareness.

Year 9 have been strengthening their music technology skills through sequencing tasks in Soundtrap. Working towards creating a well known piece of Reggae, pupils have learnt how to construct basslines, chord progressions and drum patterns characteristic of the genre. Their creative work has been supported by studying Reggae’s rich cultural and historical background, including its origins in Jamaica and its global influence.

Across all year groups, students have shown enthusiasm, creativity and growing confidence in both performance and music-making.

Team Music Awards - November 2025

We are excited to announce our Monthly Team Music Award. Teachers across the department nominate students along with a reason - this could be for a number of reasons. 

The Team Music Award ensures students are recognised and celebrated within the context of their musical learning as achievements look different for everyone! 

Congratulations to our November winners!

Rock Gig – November 2025

Acoustic Guitar Recital – November 2025

Rock School: Open Mic Night – December 2025

Hertford Christmas Market – Friday 28th November

It has been a very busy few weeks, celebrating what our incredible musicians achieve. Concerts, rehearsals and the coming together of our musical community. The standard of music across our all-through school has been beyond expectation and I believe this is due to our unique ethos and high expectations. We teach musically, and expect results, musically.

Day after day I am astounded with what our musicians love about Team Music and achieve within Team Music. This newsletter is a celebration of our music, your young people, our community. There is much more to come - more ideas, more celebration, more music. Thank you to everyone who is part of what we do. You don’t get this anywhere else!

Mark Taylor
Director of Music
Simon Balle Music and the Laurel Education Trust

This is a subject I have returned to many times over the years. To read or not to read music, depending on the instrument.

Our take has become quite clear, as we have again had this debate - all musicians need to be able to read music.

Why? It means they can play more, and take part more in music, in various styles. If someone is, say, Grade 4, can they read music at grade 4 standard? Can they sight read music at grade 4 standard?

Our ethos is all about being in ensembles - making music with others, going beyond a comfort zone, learning new musical skills. Reading notation, especially treble and bass clef (again, depending on instrument) is crucial.

I am proud that we do ask all musicians to be fluent in reading music, and we will continue to expect all to be able to do this!

Year 3 are continuing their brilliant work at reading notation, and even starting to write some notes themselves!

Year 2 have enjoyed composing their own pieces inspired by Fireworks, using glockenspiels and untuned percussion.

Reception are working really hard to learn their nativity songs, and Year 1 are using music and movement to discover pieces from ‘The Nutcracker.’

A Celebration of Singing & Strings – November 2025

A Larch Celebration of Music – November 2025

A Celebration of Wind & Brass – November 2025