Back in concert, at last!

After almost two years, the Music Department doors were, at long last, able to be fully flung open again, kick-starting the New Year off with the reinstatement of informal concerts to the Music Department’s calendar. With two bumper informal concerts being able to run over the course of the term, it was quite moving to be able to finally invite families back into school to watch your children perform again. Seeing the pleasure on the children’s faces as some of them experienced the excitement of being involved in a concert for the very first time was truly wonderful, as was the sense of the achievement that each performer took away with them. Informal concerts are where a love of performing can be nurtured. To be given the opportunity to perform in a familiar setting with a supportive audience is invaluable and I look forward to hearing many more of our young performers, no matter the level they are at, over the course of the next term. In February, we welcomed Mrs McAlindon back to school to participate in the Uppingham Orchestral Music Day. Themed ‘We Are the Champions’ the 16 Upper School children involved enjoyed an inspirational day of music making. Renowned for its sense of fun, children performed a selection of pieces as part of a 300-strong orchestra, culminating in a concert in front of an audience of parents at the end of the day, which was magnificent. Towards the end of the spring term, through her involvement with the Stamford Chamber Orchestra, Mrs Bullough successfully prepared 27 school choristers to take part in the Paddington Bear Children’s Concert. The children, alongside peers from other local schools, all performed beautifully. It was a wonderful experience for all the children involved and we look forward to hopefully working collaboratively with the Stamford Chamber Orchestra again in the not too distant future. We finished the term with a very special performance by the school orchestra to parents. This gave members of the orchestra the opportunity to showcase the pieces they have been working on over the past term. It was a wonderful performance which, for many, was the first time they have had the chance to perform as part of the orchestra. Traditionally, the school orchestra disbands at this time of year but, at the time of writing, we are hoping to be able to continue rehearsals in the summer term so that the orchestra can have the chance of performing to a larger audience towards the end of the academic year. In the classroom, Miss Gardner has been an inspiration to all year groups from Years 2 – 6. Incorporating each year group’s classroom topics, learning has been deepened within a musical context. Year 5s have especially loved learning to play Djembe drums. Likewise, the Year 4 classes have been learning about Anglo-Saxon stories through song and our Year 3 classes really enjoyed learning about Celtic instruments used in battle and taking the music classroom outside! Reception children have been focusing on developing their singing voices and pulse work, learning a range of short songs and rhymes which they have had a lot of fun learning and Year 1 children have really enjoyed bringing their class book, ‘Handa’s Surprise’, alive through the use of music. They especially loved learning a traditional African song in Swahili. Looking ahead, we are very excited that this year also sees the Copthill Music Competition being reinstated. It will be held on Tuesday 24th May as part of a schoolwide Arts Week, which will also include a Drama Festival for the first time as well as various other events in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Please do keep a close eye on the weekly bulletin for more details and, if you are able to, please do come along to support the Music Competition as parents are very much welcome. There will also be ABRSM exams being held, comprising theory (grades 1-3) and practical examinations with entries starting to be collated as we return to school. As we were unable to hold exams in the spring term, I am expecting a record number of entries to be submitted so, if your child is preparing for an exam, please do keep practising over the Easter holidays. The effort put in now really will be significant in helping them be the very best they can be when they reach their exam. Finally, a big thank you to all our peripatetic staff who continue to inspire and provide expert tuition and for everything they do in support of the Music Department within school, especially in running the many wonderful music groups and ensembles. Wishing you and your families a wonderful Easter break and I look forward to what is set to be a very busy term of music making in the summer term!