Last weekend it was an honour to return to Saffron Hall to celebrate our amazing musicians. For most, they had never performed at this iconic venue and returning once more was a very nervous time. Months of planning, over 230 musicians, around 500 in the audience. Our musical community at Simon Balle was once again coming back together.

Saffron Hall is about inspiring our musicians in all year groups, allowing them to appreciate their musical pathway, route of progression and allowing them to come together as a team and a community. We have spent so long apart. Here, we had the opportunity to come together in spectacular style. At this concert, we tried to allow as many musicians as possible to have their ‘moment’, especially those who are about to leave us, taking their musical journey to pastures new. We brought in new ideas, such as the primary orchestra (all 80 of them) performing with senior musicians. We reminded everyone how amazing the 60 piece Concert Band is, along with our Guitar ensemble, Brass, Junior Wind and others. Saffron Hall was alive with singing from our youngest to our adult community choir. Alumni, many of whom had missed out in recent years, came back to support us and show how connected to Simon Balle Music they still are. What a community.

Mark Taylor

Director of Music

Going to Saffron Hall was an amazing experience: from the very start of rehearsals in the morning to the last second of the last song about 8 o’clock at night.

It was fun performing with children from the Larch right through to sixth form in an amazing hall with fabulous acoustics. I performed in junior wind, concert band, Saxidentals and the choir, and with a rendition of ‘Fix You’ that all the choirs sang together. I joined concert band only recently, but it has been wonderful to play with really talented people: I’ve learned so much already.

Concert band played some well-known songs like a mix of James Bond theme tunes, Sweet Caroline and Make you Feel my Love, however, my favourite song of the evening was definitely the theme song from the musical ‘Six’ - the amazing Simon Balle Big Band really did it justice. I am so inspired by Big Band - both because of the music and the fact that everyone smiles when they hear Big Band play!

Merry W

Last weekend, I went to saffron hall, I really enjoyed the atmosphere, I thought that it would be a long day but it passed very quickly as we were all talking and playing together. I found it really exciting because I knew that loads of people would be coming to see us perform and we were playing somewhere where we hadn’t before.. I enjoyed the concert as the stage was spacious and it was my first time playing in Concert Band. On top of Concert Band I was in Junior wind and Saxidentals. My favourite performance that I didn’t play in was Big Band as it looked as though everyone was having fun and it inspired me to get really good at the Saxophone so that I could join. I look forward to being part of more experiences like this in the future.

Audrey P

Trinity Exams

In July, students from throughout the All-Through School sat their Classical Trinity Exams. From Grade 1 all the way to Grade 8, from Year 3 all the way to Year 13.

It is such an achievement taking a Music Exam, and every student rose to the challenge. We are so proud of them, for some it is the beginning of the musical journey, and for others it is a fantastic way to complete their Simon Balle All-Through Journey. Well done to all.

Click the image below to see the results.

Music Tour to Edinburgh

Concert Band & Big Band are off to Edinburgh for Music Tour. It is a brilliant performance opportunity and we are looking forward to hearing all about it when they get back.

You can view their performance at St Giles' Cathedral below!

Follow our twitter for updates on their exciting time away: @simonballemusic

Y2 Strings & Y2/3 Choir Performance Evening

On Tuesday, our wonderful Year 2 and 3 students performed as part of their end of year celebration. Our Year 2/3 choir performed a variety of songs, including 'Tomorrow' from Annie.

Our Year 2 Strings Students have achieved so much in under a year, it was a fantastic opportunity for them to showcase this, they should all be very proud of what they have achieved! Have a listen below:

Alex H & Simba M

Lola M & Erin H

Larch Stars

Our Larch Stars are musicians who have been nominated by their instrumental teachers. Their certificate is presented in assembly. Well done to..

• Ethan M in Year 6 for making a real effort in lessons, and making great progress.
• Wally C in Year 5 for working hard in lessons recently.
• Lucas D in Year 5 for working hard in lessons recently.
• Xander in Year 4 for great preparation for his music medal.
• Summer in Year 4 for great preparation for her music medal.
• Ava A in Year 4 for great preparation for her music medal.

The role of families at home supporting learning and practice is essential. Going over what has been learnt, preparing for the next phase of learning is crucial. Progress brings achievement and the feeling of success. This then inspires the next part of learning. Listening to practice at home, celebrating, performing to the wider family helps make the process of learning part of what the students do.

Please enjoy celebrating what has been taking place in recent weeks. Every phase is alive with music and we are so proud of each every musician.

Tuesday 21st June was World Music Day this year, and we used it to reflect on all of our wonderful musicians and the variety of music performed at Simon Balle.

Music is so important to so many people, and we are so proud of what is achieved!

Virtual Rock Gig

Due to such a busy term, unfortunately we were unable to host our Summer Rock Gig in proper fashion. Instead, we have done a Virtual Gig, which can be viewed below! Despite the change in plan, the students rose to the challenge, and have smashed it!

To see all the videos, please head to: Our Rock School Gallery.

Guitar Platform Evening

On Thursday, Mr Niesyto's wonderful students performed at our Guitar Platform Evening. It was a great opportunity for younger students to be inspired by older students! From Year 7 to Y13.

Mr Niesyto has been hosting Guitar Workshops for some students, and last night our Guitar Workshop students joined our Guitar Ensemble! It was a brilliant way for all of our students to play together, and it sounded fantastic!

You all performed fabulously! Well done to you all!

Come & Sing 2022

From September, our Secondary Choir for Year 7, 8 and 9 will be rehearsing on a Wednesday lunchtime, 1.25-1.55pm. Making music with others is so important for musicians, it can build confidence and develop skills.

If you are interested, please sign up here: https://forms.gle/XcoY6qDsU2uMdiHEA

Piano Evenings

In June, we enjoyed a couple of piano evening recitals, in which Mr Lovell's Year 7, 8 & 9 students showcased what they have been working so hard on. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to perform, and great to hear so much variety! You all played and performed brilliantly, well done to you all!

Y8 Celebration Evening

Some of our Year 8 musicians performed at a Celebration evening for their year group. It was a fantastic performance from each and every one of them, and it's great to see them performing to their peers and families. Performing is a brilliant experience for all, and the musicianship they all showed is something they should all be proud of. It was in no way their first performance and it definitely will not be their last!

Well done to: Ryan C, Chloe C, Louise C, Robin M, Reubin D, Isobel C, Olly C, and Keo O!

Y 8 - 9 Piano Evening

Y7 Piano Evening

In June, some of our students sat their Trinity Rock & Pop Exams! They all did so well, and we are so proud of them!

Please click on the image below to view results!

Larch Piano Evening

On Tuesday, Mrs Johnson's pianists came together to perform to their families and friends. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to showcase their skills. Well done to all who performed!