A round up of musical news during lockdown:
The Music School has been eerily quiet this half term (apart from the sound of hammers and drills - more of that later), with only Mr Allum and Mr Dichmont beavering away on their lessons in separate rooms. However, Zoom has been buzzing with excitement as instrumental lessons and choir and orchestra rehearsals continue online.
Our peripatetic teachers report that they have been really pleased with how the pupils have adapted to a new style of lesson. With everyone having a bit more time on their hands, some have even reported rapid progress from all the extra practice! The weekly Zoom Concerts have also been a great success, allowing the children to come together at the end of each week to hear and celebrate the achievements of their friends. 'Well Done' to all who have taken part so far. There will be more concerts after half term, so keep a look out for the Zoom link on Google Classroom. Any member of the school can join the concert on Zoom and enjoy the performances.
In their online class music lessons, pupils have been having lots of fun learning about all kinds of music, from 17th-century Baroque keyboard works to Rap and Hip-Hop. There have been Stomp-style performances with household utensils, a project to design and make percussion instruments, composition tasks with SoundTrap and Garageband, and lots more besides!
Plans are afoot for an end-of-term Zoom concert, which will probably take place on Thursday 2nd July. With the Year 8s unable to perform their musical, Oliver!, there will be songs from this show, along with performances from children across the school. Look out for the Zoom link nearer the time.
In other exciting news, thanks to a recent bequest, work on phase one of the Performing Arts Centre has begun and the building is now rapidly taking shape. Alongside a complete renovation of the current Music School building, the new extension will house office space and musical instrument storage, freeing up much-needed teaching space, alongside a new entrance foyer linking the Music School with the Millennium Hall. All being well, the work is due to be completed by September.
You may also be interested in:
Legendary composer John Rutter commenting on our YouTube video of Chapel Choir's Look to the Day, which was edited by Charlie as a thank you to the NHS.
Our Inaugural Virtual Concert
Music inspired by Stomp! from Westbourne House School on Vimeo.
