The start of a school year is always one of reflection. Those who have left our immediate musical family, those who are moving up, perhaps realising a long held ambition to have 'their turn'.

It is always amazing how our musicians 'step up'. Take on new challenges, fill gaps in ensembles and adapt to still be part of Team Music. More news on this below, but how our musicians are adapting is brilliant.

I'm also over the moon with how everyone is embracing Practice Pal Music. Over time, this will make life so much easier for all, bringing together information and learning for our instrumental and vocal lessons. It is early days, but the feedback has been brilliant. Thank you. We will be using more features in the coming weeks.

I am also working on new projects and musical opportunities across our work. Details to come as I work them out with the team!

Please have a read of the rest of this newsletter and put the relevant calendar concert dates in your diaries. There is so much going on, so don't miss out!

Mark Taylor,
Director of Music

An incredible time was had by all in Ghent last July, with amazing concerts, amazing team work, an amazing Hertford and international audience and inspirational performances and music. We are booking for next year. I'll leave the pictures to do the talking. What an experience. (the last picture is of the crowd. 90 minutes before, the square was empty due to torrential rain that interrupted our concert.....)

In June and July, Team Music enjoyed 6 days of musical exams for students throughout the All-through community, from Year 2 - Year 13 with Trinity Classical, Trinity Rock & Pop and Musical Theatre exams. Well over 200 exams in 6 days.

Further to this, 8 Year 12 & Year 13 students achieved diplomas:

DipLCM - Gabriel and Ciara  (piano), Sam Portas (drums), Ada (popular vocals), Patrick and Jacob (classical saxophone),  - Daniil, (Jazz saxophone).

ALCM - Luke. Saxophone - the music of Charlie Parker. The hardest diploma we have ever had at Simon Balle. We’ve had a few! Luke’s level of musicianship was off the scale.

As part of these diplomas, our musicians have performed at the most challenging standard for their age. Charlie Parker, Bebop, Dave Weckl, Beethoven, Bach, Debussy, Philip Glass, french saxophone repertoire and much more. Eight Simon Balle musicians performing at an incredible professional standard.

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!

We are putting together a project for students to pick up a second instrument - one that might fill in a gap in our ensembles. In return for an instrument and some lessons getting going, musicians commit to getting involved, weekly. Particularly for pianists, drummers and so on. Music is so much about being with others, taking part. If you are interested, get in touch.

Keep an eye on our What's On page!

It has important dates for the year.

What’s On

The past few weeks have shown how amazing our musical community is. Musicians, staff and families. It is unique, it is special, it is humbling, it is amazing. The images below, one from Saffron Hall, one from Ghent, are examples. In Ghent, thousands enjoyed and celebrated our music, your musicians.

When you are part of it, you put your heart in it.

How true.

Enjoy your summer and 'thank you for the music'.
Mark Taylor,
Director of Music

I am delighted and proud to announce that eight Year 12/13 musicians have achieved a diploma in music.

DipLCM - Gabriel and Ciara  (piano), Sam Portas (drums), Ada (popular vocals), Patrick and Jacob (classical saxophone),  - Daniil, (Jazz saxophone).

ALCM - Luke. Saxophone - the music of Charlie Parker. The hardest diploma we have ever had at Simon Balle. We’ve had a few! Luke’s level of musicianship was off the scale.

As part of these diplomas, our musicians have performed at the most challenging standard for their age. Charlie Parker, Bebop, Dave Weckl, Beethoven, Bach, Debussy, Philip Glass, french saxophone repertoire and much more. Eight Simon Balle musicians performing at an incredible professional standard. I can't state enough the level of achievement for these musicians. What I do know is that they could only have achieved this at Simon Balle - the distinct ethos, the time provided for us to get it right and the inspiration created throughout our work. This is something to shout from the rooftops.

Our Concert Band, Saxidentals and Big Band have been away on Music Tour! They have performed in a variety of places. from Dunkirk to Ostend to Ghent's main stage!

This was our first return to Ghent since 2019, so it was brilliant to be back! Please enjoy the videos of our performances:

On Wednesday, staff gathered to celebrate Mrs Saunders' time at Simon Balle.

Big Band provided musical entertainment - please see the images >

It was a lovely way to finish the term and celebrate Alison.

It is time to say goodbye to our Year 13 Music Ambassadors; Jacob, Luke & Patrick.

Over the last couple of years, they have assisted many supervised practices, supported numerous Larch musicians in ensembles and set up for countless events.

They have played a crucial part in Team Music, and we couldn't have done it without them. We are very proud of them!

We wish them the best of luck in September!

Enjoy our Past Musical Events from this year below!

Past Musical Events

Keep an eye on our What's On page!

We will be updating this, ready for the new year!

What’s On

Y8 have been learning about Minimalism in Popular Culture. They have listened to a wide range of minimalist pieces, and have composed a piece for one of the following briefs:

On Tuesday, Mrs Iles' and Mr Lovell's Year 6 & 7 students came together to perform what they have been working on in their lessons.

It was an opportunity to move outside their comfort zone and perform to an audience of families and peers. All students performed brilliantly, and they should be very proud of themselves.

Watch the performances here:

On Wednesday, we enjoyed performances from Ms Fitch's students. From Year 7 all the way to Year 12, it was wonderful to see so many students along with so many families to support. The students should be really proud, their performances were stunning!

Watch the videos here:

On Tuesday, we celebrated our Year 4, 5 & 6 String players. They performed solos or in small groups to a live audience filled with familiar faces.

Performing can be a really daunting experience, but the students did a fantastic job!

On Tuesday, we enjoyed wonderful performances from our Year 8 & 9 Pianists.

There was a real variety of pieces, and it was a brilliant opportunity for students to be inspired by other students.

Performers should be very proud of themselves - well done to all!

On Thursday, our Acoustic Guitar players performed to their families.

From solos, and duets to ensembles pieces. Really fantastic work, the students should be very proud - well done!

On Tuesday, we had our final Rock Gig of the year, and it was nothing short of spectacular!

Performances from all of the bands were superb, and demonstrated a high level of musicianship.

Some of our regular attendees couldn't make it to the gig, however students from other bands stepped up and helped in place of these students. It illustrated the sense of team at Rock School, and it was really special to watch - thank you to those students!

Well done to all, it was a brilliant evening of performances, and you should all be very proud!

Rock School returns in September, on Wednesdays after school. If you haven't already signed up, please do so now via this form - https://forms.gle/d66WERNkezBhFKNw7

On Wednesday, we enjoyed performances from Mr Stevenson's drummers!

Drummers typically tend to be sat at the back of bands, so we think it is important that they are also celebrated individually. It was a brilliant opportunity for students to be able to perform but also a chance for them to see and be inspired by other drummers.

Well done to all of the performers, it was a fabulous evening!

On Thursday, we celebrated our youngest musicians at Simon Balle All-through School. It was a great opportunity for families to see what our Year 2 & 3 Strings have been working on.

From Year 2 Strings playing 'Boogie Band', to Year 3 Strings performing solos and duets, to Year 2/3 Choir singing 'Summer Holiday', it was a fantastic evening. Well done to all of our performers!

I found the performance exhilarating and exciting to play in. To be in concert band was great as we were able to play many songs. Playing the one kit piece was exciting and the overall night was fun.

Lucien, Year 10

Before the Easter holidays, some of our students sat their Trinity Classical/Jazz Exams. What an achievement - they should be so proud.

Click the image to see the results.

Year 5 have been learning about Music from the classical era, and have composed their own variations on a well known theme. They have been inspired by Mozart's version of the same piece and have produced some fantastic work, so do have a listen to these examples below composed by Zoe and Rosie, and by Ava and Millie. 

https://www.simonballe.herts.sch.uk/saffron-hall-sunday-9th-july-5pm/

In the Strings and Singing concert, I was performing in Chamber Choir, Musical Theatre ensemble and a Musical Theatre trio. My favourite piece I performed was At The Ballet from Chorus Line as it's the best I think I have ever sung in front of an audience and I was able to incorporate my passion for acting as well. I also think that everyone performed incredibly well, it was great to see how many people are involved in the ensembles, especially the string group, and it was a brilliant event to showcase how talented everyone is. I didn’t have one specific highlight but it was so great to see how confident everyone was and to experience such a range of music. Every piece sounded so incredible! It was obvious how hard everyone worked to create such an amazing concert and it was really inspiring for everyone to look up to what they could achieve in the future. 

Rosie, Year 11

I was participating in the Strings and Singing event. It was amazing! The atmosphere was joyful, and every song sounded great. My favourite part about it was taking part in the Senior Strings and playing Fawkes the Phoenix.

Summer, Year 7

Videos from the Evening- click the top right hand corner to see the whole playlist

Earlier this month we took the Larch Senior Choir to perform at the Herts and Ware Music Festival in the Ware Drill Hall. The children took part in a production called Esther which was composed by the local composer Paul Burrell and they performed in a chorus of over 150 children from different primary schools in the area. The production was a roaring success and the children made us hugely proud of them from start to finish with their fantastic singing and professionalism. There were also outstanding individual performances from Zach and Archie who had major roles in the production.

In my performance of Paul Burrell’s Cantata ‘Esther’, I played the role of Mordecai with a dozen other actors around my age. We had all learnt our lines, our solo songs and our roles in the play. In my opinion, Esther was an absolutely amazing masterpiece and I am looking forward to what Mr Burrell will do next!

Archie, Year 5

The character I played is an arrogant King called Xerxes. I find that playing him was quite fun because I loved being quite royal and how much expression I had to show. I really enjoyed every single part of being Xerxes.

I think the cast were really good performers at there roles as they showed so much expression during the 2 nights. I think that they were really nice and welcoming when Archie and I came as we didn’t know anyone. They were really good actors and I think they should perform again.

Zach, Year 6

Earlier this month, some of our students sat their Trinity Rock & Pop Exams. What an achievement - they should be so proud.

Click the image to see the results.

Well done to everyone for the amazing primary music celebration earlier this month. It was a triumph, with over 100 musicians involved. The quality of music performed and celebration from the audience was amazing. Music is most certainly alive in the Larch!

Rock School is a fabulous part of our work and rehearses on a Tuesday. 55 musicians work in bands bringing together music they have selected and students learn how to work in teams - the bands, support each other and grow in confidence. It was a superb community at the gig this week where the standard of performance was an inspiration. Congratulations to everyone who performed, and thank you to everyone who came as audience. Without an audience, the gigs and concerts are nothing!!