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Simon Balle All-through School

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    • Co-headteachers’ Welcome
    • Primary Welcome
    • Welcome to Simon Balle Sixth Form
    • Why choose an all-through school?
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    • Co-headteachers’ Welcome
    • Primary Welcome
    • Welcome to Simon Balle Sixth Form
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    • Library
  • Admissions
    • Primary, Secondary and Sixth Form Open Events 2025
    • Why choose an all-through school?
    • Primary Admissions
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    • Year 7 Music Aptitude Admissions 2026-2027
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The Elm Sport Centre
Category

Music Events

Saffron Hall – Sunday 12th July 2026, 5pm (All-through)

19th September 2025Heather Morgan

When tickets are available, they will be linked here.

Why Saffron Hall?

Bringing all our musicians together once a year is so important. It shows everyone - audience and musicians what Simon Balle Music is all about. It shows our younger students what they can aspire to. It shows all our musicians everything that we do. It provides inspiration. It is our annual celebration of Team Music and each and every musicians.

Why Saffron Hall? In a nutshell, it is the only venue 'close by' that can accomodate us. The size of the stage, the space for musicians to watch each other, space for the audience. It is cost effective, it is designed for our music. We are part of their calendar. They want to work with us. It has a capacity of 750 and we use all of that capacity. Hertfordshire, and especially East Herts, does not have any venue large enough, or in fact, any concert hall. I know, because I've looked, investigated and asked, I've lobbied about the lack of arts and concert venues in the area. I've failed. Theatres have smaller capacity. Saffron Hall has an amazing acoustic.

We have to bring everyone together once a year. I cannot emphasise enough how important this is. It is part of our ethos and is part of what makes our music amazing. We go to Saffron Hall for it is somewhere that does justice for our amazing musicians. It is our only option, but what a fantastic option it is. If you have never heard your young musician perform there, you will not be disappointed.

Simon Balle Music so needs a concert hall, a music centre that is befitting of our amazing music. We can hope and wish, and we should never stop asking! If you can help, please get in contact.

Mark Taylor, Director of Music.

Who will be performing?

  • Concert Band,

  • Junior Wind Band,

  • Saxidentals,

  • Brass Ensemble

  • Guitar Platform Ensemble

  • Senior Guitar Ensemble

  • String Orchestra

  • Vox

  • Chorus

  • Take Note

  • Larch Senior Choir (Year 4, 5 6 students)

  • Larch Wind & Brass (Year 4, 5, 6 students)

  • Larch Strings (Year 4, 5, 6 students)

  • The Simon Balle Big Band

 

When finalised, the Rehearsal Schedule will be listed here.

 

Frequently Asked Questions... (click on the questions for more information)

What do performers need to wear?

Secondary
Black music polo shirt - sold by the music office, please email music@simonballe.herts.sch.uk for purchase details. To be worn with school kilt or black school skirt or school trousers. (Skirts must be a suitable length for a school performance.) Black shoes to be worn. Black jeans and trainers are not acceptable.

Primary
Boys - White polo shirt (preferably with school logo), school shorts, grey socks and black shoes. No trainers.

Girls - White polo shirt (preferably with school logo), school kilt, green or white socks and black shoes. No trainers. Green headband/hairband. In line with school policy, no make up or nail varnish and no jewellery other than stud earrings.

Where do performers go?


All students must sign in with our staff on arrival in the foyer at the front of the hall.

Secondary students can stay at the hall as we have the use of a large common room with staff supervision. Alternatively, when not required in a rehearsal, students in Year 9 and above may sign themselves out from the front foyer. Students in Year 7 & 8 can only be signed out by a parent or carer.

Larch students will be supervised in the hall after their rehearsals, they do not need to be collected before the concert. They will eat their packed tea with staff before the concert. At the interval, please collect your child from the pit where they will be sitting. Please make sure they use the toilet and return them to the pit at the end of the interval.

What do performers need to bring?


Refreshments are not provided during the day so students should bring food and drink with them. Only water bottles are permitted in the auditorium.
Larch Students need to bring a packed tea to eat after the rehearsals and before the concert begins, during which time they will be supervised.

Larch students attending rehearsals before 12pm will need a packed lunch as well as a packed tea.

This is a strictly nut free event/venue. Please respect this and pack food in keeping with this rule.

Please remember your instruments, we will not have any spare instruments at the concert.

What time will the concert finish?


Approximately 8pm. Groups are mainly performing 2 pieces each. There is an interval and refreshments will be available from the foyer bar. You can also pre-order your drinks when you arrive!

Are there any maps? or Directions? Where is Saffron Hall?


Saffron Hall's website:  https://saffronhall.com/visit/
Address: Audley End Rd, Saffron Walden CB11 4UH
When you arrive, please use the Gold Car Park located to the right of the hall. See the maps below this list.

Music Events

Celebration of Wind and Brass – Saturday 25th April, 6:30pm

18th August 2025Heather Morgan

The Celebration of Wind and Brass Concert will take place on Saturday 25th April 2026 at 6:30pm in the Secondary Hall.

This concert will showcase the Simon Balle Concert Band, Junior Wind Band, Brass Ensemble and Saxidentals. 

 

How do I buy tickets?

Tickets are now available to purchase on the Parent Portal/ 

https://simon-balle-payments.co.uk/

 

Go to Make a Booking, then Music Events. Please select the correct event! Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis and are unreserved. You will receive an email confirmation.

 

Tickets will also be available on the door (cash payment, no cards), but we encourage you to purchase in advance please. Performers and school-age brothers and sisters do not need to purchase a ticket, but very young children may have to sit on a lap. Please remember that this is a performance where we are celebrating what our musicians are achieving, so may not be suitable for all young children.

 

For families eligible for PP or PP+ funding, please contact music@simonballe.herts.sch.uk

Rehearsals on the Day

Monday 20th April's Concert Band rehearsal will start at 4pm and finish at 5:30pm

Please see below the rehearsals taking place on Saturday 25th April in the Secondary Hall.

Rehearsal Schedule
1:30 - 2:00 Brass Ensemble
2:00 - 2:30 Junior Wind
2.30 - 2:45 Massed Sax Item + Rhythm Section
2:45 - 3.45 approx Concert Band 
3.45 - 4.15 Saxidentals + Rhythm Section

 

Where do I need to go on the evening?

Please can performers arrive by 6:40pm at the latest, ready to set up instruments in the music block. 

 

What do performers need to wear?

Black music polo shirt - this is sold by the music office, please email music@simonballe.herts.sch.uk for purchase details.  

To be worn with school kilt or black school skirt or school trousers. (Skirts must be a suitable length for a school performance.) Black shoes to be worn. Black jeans and trainers are not acceptable.

 

There will be a licensed PSA bar so please make sure you purchase drinks from here. The bar will be open throughout the evening and will feature a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. This is a nut free event, please respect this. 

Music Events
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Simon Balle
All-Through School

Simon Balle All-through School, Mangrove Road,
Hertford, Herts, SG13 8AJ

01992 410400

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