Our rich musical heritage is the foundation for the future

Simon Balle has a rich musical heritage. Students have come through our school and left as musicians for life, taking their music in whatever form that means, with them. We are proud that we help create ‘lifelong musicians’. 

Music - the experiences gained, the friends made, the lessons learnt, the commitment shown - has helped so many of our students achieve so much in later life. Students have gone on to be professional musicians, often working in the West End. Others have performed on cruise ships, toured the world, become a DJ, performed at Glastonbury and the Isle of Wight Festival, or moved into the world of performing in the chorus or as a soloist. Students have taken their musical training to the Guildhall, Trinity, Royal College, Royal Academy and  conservatoires in Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds and Glasgow. Some have gone to popular music courses at BIMM or ICMP. We have helped create jazz musicians, opera performers, session musicians, singer-songwriters, musical theatre performers and actors who have performed at the best venues in the country and beyond. Many have gone on to study music at university, opening doors to new experiences and a continued passion for what they love. Several have joined the Forces bands and performed at the Trooping of the Colour as well as events at Windsor Castle and elsewhere. One former student has sold out venues across the UK and beyond, including the Royal Albert Hall.

Other students have taken music with them in the next stage of their life. They might not be studying music, but they are continuing their music - in bands, orchestras and choirs. They go to university quite often as a student with musical experiences that are the envy of others. Friendships formed through music at school continue at University and beyond. They know how to work as a team, perform to the highest standard, and tell of what they have achieved. Sometimes, music and the experiences gained helps our students achieve places at the top universities, for they can talk about the discipline, the rigour and the achievements. At one time we had three former students in the University of East Anglia Big Band at the same time. Supporting our students to achieve these incredible next steps in life is something we are immensely proud of. We have experience of supporting students to become Cambridge Choral Scholars. It is fantastic when former students and families stay in touch and update us with how they are getting on, even many years later. They talk enthusiastically and so often about how they are still making music and remembering their time in concerts and rehearsals at school. They are the students who are part of this heritage - musicians who might have performed in Ghent, at Disneyland, or at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, Birmingham Conservatoire or at the Royal Albert Hall.

Why does this matter? A rich musical heritage is a foundation for the future of our music at Simon Balle. Our current musicians are treading in the footsteps of so many who have helped create the music we have today. They are learning in the same musical environment as those who have gone before them, being just as inspired as our alumni. Our values of hard work, commitment, teamwork and high expectations continue to drive what we do. As some prepare to start the next stage of their musical life, some continue to progress and thrive in rehearsals. Others are just starting out on their musical journey, looking up to those who go before them. Always, it is the individual we strive to support, helping them to achieve the best they can. Our beliefs are built on the experience we have of supporting so many, working with families and helping inspire those we work with. The best results are achieved when we all go in the same direction - that is what we have learnt from our musical experiences of the past.

We have so many musicians throughout our all-through school who love and experience music every day. Just as those before them did, they wait in anticipation to perform, they are nagged about the practice required, they laugh and make music with others. They are part of the same ensembles that so many over the years have been in. Just as those before them did, they achieve so much.

Our music for the future is driven by experiences of the past. Those treading in the footsteps of others should be inspired by what has been achieved and what they can achieve in the future. What is most important though is that everyone, past, present and future, is part of Team Music.

Mark Taylor, Director of Music

(It was great fun looking back over some of the photos we have to create the image at the top).

A music tour to Edinburgh. Somewhere I have not visited for so many years. Where would we perform, what is the hostel like, who is going? Everyone in Team Music knows how important the music tour is, and we had to get this important milestone in the music calendar back on track. 3 nights and two full days up in Scotland.

The tour was a triumph. Lots of walking and lots of hills, but also lots of fun. Families from Hertford joined us in numbers and the musicians performed two fantastic concerts. The acoustic of St Giles Cathedral was fabulous and the huge audience there loved what they heard. The Ross Bandstand always promised to be excellent if the rain held off. Despite the threats, it did. As the music started, the audience joined us, listening from far and wide, including up in Princess Street. Outdoor concerts are always fun and this was no exception.

Yes, we are there for the concerts. We are also there for the friendships. The team building, the chance to spend more time together. Three activities for the three evenings and they were brilliant. The smiles, the cheering, the supporting, the joining in. For some, this was way out of their comfort zone, but they got on with it. They enjoyed it!

It was also brilliant that two music alumni rearranged their days to come and visit us and watch concerts. Lizzie and Alex, both currently living in Scotland came over and it was a fabulous surprise to see them.

A music tour like this means so much to so many. Over the years, hundreds of memories have been created, not only for the musicians, but to wider families. Grandparents came to watch, families came to celebrate. Pride could be seen and heard all around. This is all part of the Team Music experience.

Of course for some, this was the end of a 7 year journey. The realisation that 'that is it'. For the families of those who are leaving, a lump in the throat. The end of an era. Personally, I will never get used to that moment, and nor should I. Education is about the students, creating tomorrow's citizens today. Music is and should always be a huge part of that. You can't bottle what these experiences teach you. For so many, music is a massive part of who they are.

Thank you to everyone. If you were not able to be there, have a look at everything below. If you were there, thank you. We had a blast and the students were amazing. Team Music. A brilliant community.

Finally, a true anecdote. A parent was talking to someone who was listening to the Ross Bandstand concert. They were in Edinburgh for the Jazz Festival where they were performing. They had heard of Simon Balle Music. Where did they live? Belgium. 'Oh', said the parent. 'Simon Balle have performed at the Ghent Music Festival'. 'That's it' said the visitor. 'I've seen them there. They are so good'.

It's a small world. There's a song in that......

Mark Taylor, Director of Music.

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 matters, as it is the only venue locally that is big enough to accommodate all our music. Some might say it is not ‘local’, but the journey is worth it for the quality of the sound that the hall has. Indeed, I am proud to describe Saffron Hall as a ‘partner’ in our concerts. Showing the progression from our youngest to our most advanced musicians is crucial, so that everyone can see and hear what can be achieved with hard work and perseverance. Performers are also the audience for others. As someone said to me - ‘everyone applauds you, you should applaud everyone else!’. For the musicians, they can support everyone else. For the audience, they can appreciate the bigger picture of what is being achieved and celebrated. They can also hear the quality.

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.

We talk a lot at the moment about the well-being of everyone. What better way to show how connected students are to school and what they can achieve than an event like this. What an amazing way to see the smiles, the sense of achievement and the team work than this concert. What an amazing way to teach team working skills. What an amazing way to celebrate the power of coming together again. The quality of the performances was beyond anything I could have hoped for. We are all so busy at the moment, but we must take time to pause and reflect on exactly what has been achieved. Wow!

Our Saffron Hall concert is a monumental team effort. However, it is worth it. Why? It demonstrates the power of music. The power of music as a force for good. Simon Balle is alive with music. Thank you to everyone in our community (including our partners) who are part of Team Music. Together, we create amazing music and experiences. The concert at Saffron Hall is testament to that.

Mark Taylor, Director of Music