Welcome from the Director of Music
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
Celebrating our Musical Curriculum
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.
Celebrating your Musicians
Exam Success
Congratulations to the following students who have passed their music medals!
Piano
- Heidi for passing her Bronze piano Music Medal with Excellence
Trombone
- Elliot for passing his Copper Music Medal on Trombone
Clarinet
- Juliette for passing her Bronze Music Medal with excellence
- Ruairi for passing his Bronze Music Medal
- Heidi for passing her Bronze Music Medal with excellence
- Emmeline for passing her Bronze Music Medal
- Isabelle for passing her Bronze Music Medal with excellence
Larch Star Assembly Performances
Each Thursday, as part of the KS2 Celebration Assembly, musicians perform to their peers. Congratulations to the following performers!
Clarinet:
- Gabriel
- Lucas
- Isabelle
- Bonny
Violin:
- Olivia
- William
- Sofia
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!
| Student | Reason |
| Laney | Brilliant flute playing in every lesson. Working at grade four level after a very short time and showing huge potential on the instrument. |
|
Sophie |
For always being prepared for lessons. Her hard work has resulted in excellent fluency with notation reading and she has made fast progress learning the pieces for her Initial violin exam |
|
Iris |
For always working so hard in her lessons and at home, and for her consistently positive attitude towards her learning and orchestral playing. |
|
James |
For really trying hard each week at home and in his cello lesson. |
|
Olivia |
For coming back after Christmas with such a positive attitude to her piano learning which has really paid off in her practice at home and playing. |
Vocal Recital
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.
