Musical News – January 2023

13th January 2023Heather Morgan

Welcome back!

January is a time for remembering our routines and looking forward. It is the start of a term full of exams for many and much more music making for all.
Do please look at the What's On page. Fill those calendars with the dates, so check what your young musician is involved in. We are working hard to be meaningful with our communication, putting most of it on the website. Our new year's resolution to you is to support you ensuring musicians put in time for practice. Practice makes progress and happier learning. Even older musicians need reminding and support!
December was full of concerts and performances, as well as snow. It was brilliant how everyone adapted for the Carol Services, and how hard musicians worked in every performance. Well done to everyone.
Here's to another brilliant term of music making.

Mark Taylor, Director of Music

The Carol Services

Despite the snow, our Larch and Secondary Carol Services ploughed ahead. Although all of the original plans had to be adapted, our musicians and staff adapted too, and because of this, we were able to enjoy two evenings of amazing Carol Services! The week really embodied the term 'Team Music'.

Meet the Music Ambassador!

We re getting to know our Music Ambassadors in Y6 and Y13 this year, please see our most recent posts!

Jacob & Patrick, Y13, have been ambassadors for over a year...

Save the Dates 2023!

We have lots planned for 2023 including Big Band Evening and Saffron Hall!
Please check our What's On Page for more information by clicking the page below!

What’s On

Musical News – December 2022

3rd December 2022Mark Taylor

We say we are a musical school. The past few weeks have certainly shown how musical we are. Every day, we are proud of each and every musician for the progress they make. It is difficult for me to say 'well done' to everyone all the time, but if I could, I would.

I have spent much time recently in meetings and discussions, finding out about music education and how it is developing, nationally. Every time, I am reminded how utterly amazing our musicians are, and how Team Music is a unique team. We have had so much going on in recent weeks, including guitar and piano recitals, concerts, performance and more. Alumni have been popping in to say hello or have been keeping us updated with their progress, including with their music. Team Music extends far beyond the walls of the music centre. Hundreds of performers from throughout our all-through school and our community, with many more in the audience.

This update is a celebration of every musician and everyone who has come to support our musicians. The quality produced by our musicians is amazing. The support by our staff team is beyond what we should expect. They are so brilliant and deserve so much thanks.

Well done to each individual for the progress being made in music. If we don't catch up with you to say well done, please remember what you achieve and how good it is. We are all proud of you.

Mark Taylor, Director of Music.

A Larch musical celebration

In November, 130 musicians from Years 2 - 6 performed in this unbelievable concert, with an energy in the hall that was an inspiration. The breadth of music, the smiling faces, the standard of performance. Our Larch musicians are so brilliant for their age. Well done to everyone.

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A Wind and Brass Celebration

A week later, it was the turn of our secondary musicians. An outstanding showcase of Wind, Brass and Percussion with music that challenged, where musicians rose to the challenge. Once again there was a brilliant sense of community, celebration and awe at what our musicians achieved.

Big Band at the Hertford Lights

We were proud to be part of the community celebrations to switch on the Hertford Christmas lights. Families past and present were there watching and singing along. It was amazing to once again return to this annual event.

Rock School Live!

This was an amazing occasion at the Southern Maltings, with 12 bands performing to a capacity crowd. Again, the standard of musicianship and performance was superb and each musician and band should be so proud of themselves. This short video shows how good everyone was! (twitter link, no login required).

All things piano

November is traditionally piano month, when we have a concert and celebrate our pianists. This year we had performances in the Library, an evening recital and our annual celebration video. Do take a moment to watch this wonderful creation, featuring 70 pianists in total performing 'Just Can't Get Enough'. What a huge project this was!!

We also present this amazing piano duet -  a fugue based on Lady Gaga's 'Bad Romance' performed by Ciara (Yr 12) and Gabriel (Yr13). Enjoy!

Adult community choir

Take Note is our adult community choir. They performed a wonderful concert at St Andrew's Church last weekend, an occasion that was uplifting and brought together our wider musical family - friends, former students (and so many of them), former parents and more. Well done to everyone in the choir for such a superb evening.

 

A Celebration of Christmas

Do come and join us for our traditional carol services at All Saint's Church. These are always wonderful occasions for our school community.

Musical News – November 2022

11th November 2022Heather Morgan

Welcome to our Music!

I continue to be inspired with how hard everyone in Team Music works and it is amazing that our musicians continue to achieve such high standards with their work. Our concerts and performances start in ernest next week with our Larch Celebration on 16th, followed by a concert of Wind and Brass on 21st. Choirs are readily preparing for the Christmas Carol Services at All Saints' Church. Please do ensure that you have made a note of relevant dates and who is involved. Being part of the audience is just as important as those performing! Elsewhere, we are continuing to remind families about the importance of home learning - be that practice or preparation for the next lesson. It is lovely to hear about how hard so many students are working and to see in rehearsals their commitment. Thank you to everyone at home for your support and continued nagging. It is so important.

Mark Taylor, Director of Music

Meet the Music Ambassadors

Over the course of the year, we will be introducing and celebrating our 12 Music Ambassadors from Y6, Y12 & Y13.

To start the year off, here are David & Luke!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chamber Choir

This Friday was our annual Remembrance Service, where Chamber Choir and the Brass Ensemble performed.

We were able to record Chamber Choir earlier in the week, please do have a listen to the recording below, it is breathtaking. Thank you to soloists: Soraia & Lauren.