Music Matters

Onsite learning

The Music department was very excited to see all the students back for onsite lessons this week. Although woodwind and brass instruments couldn’t be played, teachers enjoyed catching up with their students and working on rhythm and aural skills. String ensembles had their first rehearsals with full attendance and wind ensembles became percussion ensembles. 

Woodwind and Brass playing restrictions have eased

We have just received the very exciting news that playing the woodwind and brass instruments as well as singing in schools is now possible as long as they are outside with social distancing in groups of up to ten. This means all woodwind and brass lessons can recommence next week, outside in undercover areas. Due to the Curriculum Day on Monday and Cup Day on Tuesday, most will have to wait until the following week but it is still a very exciting thing to look forward to. Ensembles will be able to rehearse however larger ensembles will have to break into smaller sections. All students should bring their instruments to school on their lesson and rehearsal days for the remainder of the term. We can’t wait to hear the sounds of woodwind and brass instruments in the school grounds next week.

Ensembles

String Orchestra had their first full rehearsal on site this week and the last with year 12s before their exams. They took the opportunity to video their performance of a piece written by our string teacher Howard Dillon called “Riders”. We will include a link to the recording in next week’s newsletter.

Wind Symphony had it’s largest attended rehearsal since the first term and the year 12s last before exams. With restrictions still in place on playing the woodwind and brass instruments, they took the opportunity to learn a percussion ensemble piece “Under The Sea” from “The Little Mermaid”. They spread out on our four-octave Concert Marimba, Concert Xylophone, Concert Glockenspiel and Vibraphone, and a variety of untuned percussion and guitar to create a performance in just one rehearsal. 

See the picture below and follow this link to watch the video: 

Nick Dean

Music Coordinator