We are very excited about the developing musical life of the school. Many of our children are now learning instruments and we are able to offer lessons on violin, cello, guitar, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, recorder, drums and piano.
We have string, brass and recorder ensembles, a rock band, a prize winning jazz band and an orchestra of 23 musicians. Our music staff are enthusiastic and go out of their way to nurture the talents of the children.
We provide opportunities for musicians to perform and our informal concerts are regular features of the term’s programme. All children in the school are encouraged to sing and we consider that everyone is part of the school choir! We have continued our growing tradition of high-quality musicals. This year’s “Pirates of the Curry Bean” featured all children in Years 3 – 6.
Music Review Summer 2011
Spring Grove pupils have achieved higher standards than ever in their instrumental playing and Houses, orchestral and ensemble groups have flourished under the enthusiastic leadership of senior musicians. Through the year our series of Informal Concerts each half-term has showcased the progress of the children with space for the youngest beginners with a few months’ experience to perform as well as those preparing for exams. Jonathan Rowe (Piano Grade 4 Distinction, Bassoon Grade 1), Holly Fielder (Piano Grade 4, Violin Grade 3), Ellie Saxby (Cello Grade 3 and talented songwriter and arranger at the piano) and Oliver Webb (Piano Grade 2 Distinction, Clarinet Grade 2) have led the way where many others aspire to follow.
The culmination of such good progress individually has been the creation of Spring Grove School Orchestra with strings, wind and brass sections rehearsing each week and joining an exciting Orchestral Day on Saturday 17th March during which we learned the Overture from Handel’s Royal Fireworks Suite, some jazz pieces and performed a group composition inspired by the Olypmpic Motto “Faster, Higher, Stronger”. Holly Fielder, Oliver Langworthy and Ellie Saxby conducted each section of the piece and I would like to thank them and Rebecca Blundell for giving such a good lead from Prep 6 to our younger musicians.
A group of four boys (Oliver Webb, Jake Baldwin and Jonathan and Alex Rowe) entered Wye’s Got Talent as Little Boys Blue and played C Jam Blues and came home with 3rd prize - a trophy and £100! That gift bought for the school a magnificent grand piano (!) from which our musicans are all benefiting. well done to our talented Jazz Band!
The House Entertainments before half term in October gave our new House Captains the challenge of motivating and leading their groups in songs, dance and sketches and great new talent always emerges when everyone takes part. Congratulations to, Austen for and Oliver Twist-style PE lesson (!), Chaucer on their History of Fashion, Conrad on their recreation of the Blitz songs from the Second World War and Dickens on Henry and his wives. The preparations were intense but the performances were wonderful for team building and for taking pride in the achievement of each House Group.
Our Christmas Nativity Plays and Carol Service provided more opportunities for lively year group choirs to sing in celebration and strings, guitars and brass groups also featured in the Carol Service. Our KS 2 years formed a mass choir to carol singing in aid of Porchlight Charity at Ashford Outlet. Our pupils looked very smart in blazers, hats and caps and we were delighted to have excellent vocal support from many parents. (br)
Our Summer term Has been busy with a tremendous concert for Grandparents’ Day in the marquee which featured our orchestra, guitar, strings, wind and Jazz groups as well as Year 2 choir and recorders and KS2 choir led by Elizabeth Fraser and Issy Wanstall.
And then came Pirates of the Curry Bean! “The best ever show” “Should transfer to the West End” are some comments from the audiences who enjoyed this pantomime romp. Every member of Prep 6 had a starring role and their passion, commitment and great character acting will be remembered for a long time! Prep 5 excelled with witty one-line comments, singing and dancing whilst Prep4 and 3 have raised their expectations of the standard of performance they will aspire to in their turn. Again our thanks go to all of Prep 5 and 6 for their hard work and our congratulations to them for raising the level of fast-paced fun and excitement in each performance!
We look forward with great anticipation to new opportunities next year and hope that those on Benenden Music courses or East Kent Holiday Music Trust Orchestral Course at Northbourne Park School will have a wonderful experience of making music together.
For individual achievement in exams please see the attached commendation document, to be amended with summer exam results.
Mrs Jones Director of Music July 2011