We are so proud of our Larch musicians who today received their copper or bronze Associated Board of the Royal School of Music awards. This shows their commitment and musicality! Keep practising Larch musicians - what achievements!
Developing our instrumental offering in the Larch, including the piano
18th October 2020Mark Taylor
We recently introduced piano lessons as part of our music offering in the Larch and as we thought this was met with an overwhelming response. Knowing that we could not offer everyone who wanted piano lessons the opportunity to learn, it made us consider how to take this forward.
Our musical ethos at Simon Balle is of creating lifelong musicians - musicians who want to take their passion for music with them for the rest of their lives. As part of this it is about learning how to work together, with others, in ensembles and teams. How to practice, how to read music, how to listen, how to celebrate music. We have prioritised orchestral instruments for these very reasons, so that more students can benefit from the joy and excitement of making music with others for years to come both in our orchestra, and group lessons. Some might pause and return on this journey, others will continue and excel to the highest standards. We also insist that students can practice, at least 3 times a week.
Piano is different. It is not an ensemble instrument to start with for quite a while. Not everyone has a piano at home either. This made us question what our ethos is with learning the piano.
Piano is an instrument to develop coordination skills and how to read treble and bass clef. It is an instrument that someone learns on their own for such a long time before being able to work with others. We have taken the decision after many discussions that for us piano should be an instrument that someone learns as well as learning an orchestral instrument, so that they are developing their whole musicianship. Piano lessons include music theory work as well, again working more on musicianship. What is so important is that our pianists feel part of team music and what we offer - working together with others, not in isolation. Therefore, we chose musicians who already learnt an instrument to start working with us as we introduced the piano to our work.
Of course we want pianists - pianists who love music music and are a massive part of Team Music. However, at the moment we simply cannot accommodate everyone to do everything - especially on the piano. Space and teacher availability also come into the mix. When all these competing challenges come together, we have to have reasons for our decisions.
We have a waiting list for piano lessons and of course that is not ideal. As I said at the start, our ethos is based on team working, ensembles and not working in isolation. There are many ways to get involved in Team Music and we will work to develop our piano offering as fast as we can, ensuring is accompanies learning an orchestral instrument.
Mark Taylor, Director of Music
Larch Music – October 2020
13th October 2020Mark Taylor
Celebrating everything musical in the Larch
Dear all
There is lots of important information in this blog. Please read carefully!
The start of this term has been fabulous for music in the Larch, with almost 50% of students in Years 2 - 5 learning an instrument. This is brilliant and well done to everyone.
Lockdown was hard for all, but very productive for our musicians. Teachers report that having the engagement of those supporting at home was brilliant and so much progress was made by so many. A couple of musicians even managed to take Music Medals when back in school. What we have learnt from lockdown is that parental engagement and routines of practice are everything.
Now we are back at school, we need to help everyone have those routines of practice. Our team work so hard in school to ensure fabulous progress is being made, so we ask that at home:
- Musicians can practice for 10 minutes or more, 3 times a week
- Practice is at regular times, not as and when
- Practice is supported with a music stand
- Your help with practice, ensuring the house is quiet and that you celebrate each time
It is so clear from research, as well as evidence that we have from our own families that support at home is crucial to help each musician progress, develop the good habits and enjoy what they are doing.
The Larch orchestra continues to make brilliant progress. This is an important part of learning an instrument, as it develops ensemble and teamworking skills. Playing with others is also what music is about - the fun, the listening to everyone, the concentration. We are aiming to have our brass players join later this year when they are more confident and know a few more notes.
30 or so musicians have joined the Strings Training Programme in Year 2. This is an important time on the path to musical success - creating and developing the routines, hearing the first notes, celebrating the first performances and practice at home. Similarly, a large number of musicians have started the flute or clarinet in Year 3.
Beyond the Larch Orchestra, we are working within guidelines to see how we can enable Year 5 to gradually join junior ensembles in the secondary phase. Some are almost ready, and the challenge with current guidelines might delay this slightly. However, patience will lead to musical progression soon! These next steps are a huge challenge as we work to get it right, so please bear with us. There are two recordings below from the rehearsals this week. They are so good.
The two Larch choirs are also very popular and make a great sound. Well done to all here!
We are also working to get our performances up and running, safely next half term. Again please bear with us as we work things out and plan, adhering to the guidelines.
What is brilliant is that music is alive in the Larch. All of us in Team Music - the musicians, you, us, are working together to achieve amazing musical things.
Let's stay in touch and let's keep supporting - all the time.
Mark Taylor, Director of Music
