The Music Department has been buzzing with numerous wonderful events and activities this month and we are steaming ahead to the final assembly where we will sing a whole school version of ‘Africa’ by Toto, complete with storm body percussion effects and a live band of our wonderful musicians.
Junior Concert: Wednesday, 1st July
The blistering temperatures of a hot July evening did nothing to dampen the excitement of the last big concert of the year. The first half consisted of our wonderful Year 7 and Year 8 and 9 Singers who treated us to songs about hope, togetherness and love. Also in this half was a wonderful mix of smaller chamber ensembles playing music from all genres and featuring a huge range of instruments and singers. With a performance of 'Wonderwall' from Year 8 and an original song composition from Year 9, the concert put some amazing examples of our Key Stage 3 classroom work on display.
The second half featured our larger instrumental ensembles of junior strings and junior orchestra, and the concert finished with every single performer from the night singing and playing ‘Africa’ by Toto, complete with guitars, orchestra, African drums, piano and lots of body percussion rain storm effects. The whole evening was another musical triumph for the fabulous TWGGS musicians and Mrs Waddington and I couldn't have been prouder of everyone’s hard work and dedication.
Masterclass with NYO Ambassador Lilico Ueno: Thursday, 2nd July
I was delighted to be contacted by Lilico Ueno, who is a member of First Violins of The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, who came to TWGGS to give a violin masterclass to some of our upper string players. Ten pupils were selected and spent the afternoon playing, listening and learning about all manner of violin and viola techniques, ideas and information. Lilico treated us to a performance of Saint Saens Introduction and Rondo Cappriccioso, and then worked with every performer, encouraging and inspiring us all to get the very most out of our instruments.
Year 7 Induction workshop: Wednesday, 2nd July
We welcomed our new Year 7 pupils with an energetic workshop featuring the ‘Fruit Canon’. Divided into three groups, the pupils each sang a rhythmic representation of a different fruit. Soon, the entire room resonated with the vibrant sounds of chanting kiwis, bananas, and mangoes.
Year 7 Music Festival: Wednesday, 8th July
All 180 Year 7 pupils had been building towards this exciting day, working hard on their solo, ensemble and whole class performances. The hall was transformed into what felt like a West End stage as each form battled for the coveted Music Festival shield. There were some unbelievably brave soloists who sang and played to a packed hall, and you could have heard a pin drop for every performance. Then we moved on to the ensemble section, where a small group from each form performed their own version of The Wellerman sea shanty. Finally, combining costumes, props, and makeup with immense talent and flair, all six forms performed their chosen whole class song from a musical with expert choreography and panache. The judges, our fabulous A Level music pupils, Stella, Juno and Bianca, joined by Freya, a dance expert, after great deliberation, announced the winning form of 7Y.
Stella, Year 7: Local & Live
Stella, who won the solo category for the Year 7 Music Festival, is also a budding singer-songwriter and has been working hard on her latest album of songs. Stella has appeared at Crowfest and will appear at Local & Live, singing and playing her own compositions. We are incredibly proud of Stella and also enjoyed some private performances of her music in our last academic music lesson of the year.
ABRSM/Trinity Examination Session and Successes: Wednesday, 9th July
It has been an incredible year for examination successes and so much hard work goes in behind the scenes from not only our own wonderful team of peripatetic music teachers, but those who teach TWGGS pupils out of school. We have had some amazing results all through the year with several pupils achieving Grade 8 with distinction! A huge amount of hard work and dedication goes into these examinations and I could not be more proud of the more than 300 TWGGS pupils who have lessons in voice and instruments.
KS3 Awards Ceremony: Monday, 10th July
Monday morning saw a beautiful display of blue and yellow balloons in the hall, and lots of very excited musicians who were set to receive their examination certificates. Eight separate groups and soloists performed flawlessly to a packed hall and finished off the year with yet another display of musical prowess and accomplishment.
Finally a huge, huge thank you to everyone in the wider TWGGS community for the most amazing year of maternity cover. I have loved every single moment of being acting Director of Music and am delighted to be coming back to support Mrs Humphrey on her return from maternity leave. Thank you for all the encouragement, kindness and support you have given to me over this wonderful year.
Ms Ives