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Autumn Term 2023

Rehearsals will start in the week beginning 11th September

Important dates:

Please make a note of all these dates, and make sure they are added to your family calendar too.

Would you like to be a Music Leader in 2023-2024?

The existing Music Ambassador role has been replaced with this.

Would you like to be a Music Leader this year? Music Leaders need to be committed to supporting the department and spreading the music love. Your jobs will involve helping recruit year 7s to our clubs, helping at school events (e.g. open days), assisting with music trips and so on.

If you would like to be considered for the role of a Music Leader you will need to complete this quick form. To be eligible, you will need to be a member of at least two music clubs. We are looking for people who are committed and tuned in. By that, we mean people who come to rehearsals really regularly, check the blog, answer their emails and generally know what’s going on. All year groups welcome. Existing Music Ambassadors will need to complete the form too.

Deadline for submission is Friday 15th September.

Any questions, please contact Mrs F

Congratulations to our GCSE and A Level classes for your music/music tech exam results.

Summer news

We would love to hear about the musical things you did over the summer break. Please send me a quick email to tell me all about it so I can include it on the next blog.

Thank you. From Mrs F 

Congratulations to Brooke for being part of the NYO’s fantastic performance at this year’s BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in August. What an incredible experience!

‘The strings swayed, the double basses twirled, the woodwind and brass soloists dazzled, the audience clapped and, yes, some of them even danced.’

The Times ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

‘Fabulous Errollyn Wallen’s arrangement of “The whole world in his hands” kept the eyes teary and the goosebumps going.’

The Arts Desk ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

‘The orchestra took all this in their stride, serving precision, accuracy and a fierce sense of rhythmic drive and dynamic nuance.’

Music OMH  

‘Throughout the entire concert the whole ensemble played with swagger and confidence but I have to say the rhythm section stole the show with great work by the timpanists and those double basses.’

Aaron Copland  

‘It’s always a pleasure to hear this orchestra, packed with the leading players of the future, and there was plenty of talent on display throughout the concert.’

Bach Track  

Watch the concert on BBC iPlayer.

BYMT news

Find out more here

Year 7 Concert

Your music teacher will tell you all about this in your music lessons over the next couple of weeks.

Ticket links:

UV: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/hayes-school-music/t-lnvrkjp

WX: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/hayes-school-music/t-eazmkoq

Which colours are you aiming to get this school year?

And finally …

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Congratulations …

on another fab year of music-making!

Summer Concert videos:

Have a look back at the past year here and via the following links:

Twitter: click here

Facebook: click here

Instagram: click here

Have a fabulous summer holiday! Maybe do some really lovely musical things – try a new instrument, learn a new piece, or listen to something different. Go to a Prom! Proms are brilliant – the atmosphere is like nothing else – and the programme of events is huge and varied. U18s go half price on all seated tickets – however, I would absolutely encourage you to actually prom – which means queuing for a ticket on the day, and standing up (there are two queues – one for the Arena, and one for the Gallery – I would strongly recommend the gallery, because the acoustics are better, and if there is room, you can lie on the floor and listen to the music!). See the Proms website for full details.

Mini Jazz Band

Thank you to jazz band for playing at Bromley Y’s summer party on Wednesday evening.

Music programmes to watch over the summer

BBC iPlayer:

Disney +:

Google’s new game turns you into a cello-playing AI bird

Viola the Bird is a game in which you bow a virtual cello, with your own tempo, expression and artistry. To make things really fun, the performance is acted out by a charmingly theatrical, winged virtuoso.

With Viola, you can play a number of classical favourites, and even improvise your own tunes accompanied by an AI orchestra.

You can play Viola the Bird here >

And finally …

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Matilda trip – what a great show!

Thank you to those of you who came on Wednesday’s trip. Your behaviour was exemplary 🙂

Here’s our attempt at the Matilda pose 😂

I’ve got plans for two theatre trips in 2023-2034 so …

Read the full article here

Some clips to watch:

Seckou Keita (born 1978) is a kora player and drummer from Senegal. He is one of the few champions of the lesser-known kora repertoire from Casamance in southern Senegal. The kora is a stringed instrument used extensively in West Africa. A kora typically has 21 strings, which are played by plucking with the fingers. It combines features of the lute and harp. Read more Seckou and the kora here.

And finally …

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Congratulations on a fab summer concert

More photos and videos coming soon …

twenty-two

Well done to our year 10 band, twenty-two, for their performance at the Ziggy Stardust family day in Beckenham last Saturday.

We are looking forward to seeing twenty-two and all the other performers at tomorrow’s Hazefest:

Find out more – click here

Tickets on sale now – click here

Musical Theatre club trip to see Matilda

The trip is finally here! For those of you going, you have been provided with all the trip info via Satchel One (task titled “Matilda trip – IMPORTANT INFO”).

It is vital that you read through ALL the information on the powerpoint slides. It tells you where and when you need to meet, what to bring and lots more.

You will need to have an early dinner at home on that day.

If you have any further questions, please email me.

Make sure you know how to do the Matilda pose for our group photo!

Music exam successes

BYMT news

And finally …

Pink Floyd are an English rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experimentation, philosophical lyrics and elaborate live shows. They became a leading band of the progressive rock genre, cited by some as the greatest progressive rock band of all time.

“Another Brick in the Wall” is a three-part composition on Pink Floyd’s 1979 rock opera The Wall, written by bassist Roger Waters. “Part 2”, a protest song against corporal punishment, and rigid and abusive schooling, features a children’s choir. 

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Summer Concert and HazeFest are next week

The Summer concert is NEXT WEDNESDAY! All our extra-curricular groups are performing at this event so please practise your parts carefully.

Get your tickets here

Below is the rehearsal schedule for the day of the concert (Wed 5th July ). This is the strike day.

If your year group is at home on that day, please come into school for your rehearsal slots. You DO NOT need to wear school uniform, but you DO need to sign in and out at student reception.

Please make a note of when you are needed and make sure you have your instrument/music in school with you on that day!

Your teachers will know why you are absent from lessons that day, but it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and catch up.

Usual lunch rehearsals will take place up until the concert.

Here are some things you need to know about the concert itself:

  • The concert is at 6.30pm in the Hall. It will be finished by 9pm.
  • You need to wear all black. Not blue, not brown, not patterned, and no big logos.
  • Tickets are £5 via link above.
  • The music classrooms will be available for coats, instrument cases etc. Please arrive in enough time to warm up and get organised.
  • When the concert is in progress, you must not hang out in the classrooms or corridors. You need to be in the Hall being a supportive, considerate, appreciative member of the audience who shows awareness of performance etiquette which includes not moving around or making a noise during the music.
  • Any questions, please ask.

Other events this term:

HazeFest – Saturday 8th July

Find out more – click here

Tickets on sale now – click here

Musical Theatre Club trip to see Matilda – Wednesday 12th July. Information for those going on this trip will be shared via Satchel One so please keep an eye out for it.

Try playing your part along with these videos:

Read the article here

Don’t miss Prince’s guitar solo at 3:28!

Fab opportunities for brass and percussion players

Find out more here

And finally …

Which songs are being referred to here?

Here’s one to get you started:

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Less than 2 weeks until the Summer Concert

Please make sure you are practising your part(s) at home.

Summer Concert – Wednesday 5th July – 6.30 pm

HazeFest – Saturday 8th July

Musical Theatre Club trip to see Matilda – Wednesday 12th July

Summer Concert

Get your tickets here

HazeFest 2023

Find out more – click here

Tickets on sale now – click here

Try playing your part along with these videos:

Click here to read the article

And finally …

mrsfostermusic

Under 3 weeks till the Summer Concert!

Please make sure you are practising your part(s) at home.

Summer Concert – Wednesday 5th July – 6.30 pm

HazeFest – Saturday 8th July

Musical Theatre Club trip to see Matilda – Wednesday 12th July

Summer Concert

Get your tickets here

HazeFest 2023

Find out more – click here

Tickets on sale now – click here

Try playing your part along with these videos:

Jazz Band

Thank you very much to Jazz Band for giving up their Sunday afternoon to perform at the Hayes Fair in 30 degrees!

Click here to read the article

How do you move an orchestra?

Those of you who learnt to pack and move the coffin on tour will be interested in this:

And finally …

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Summer term events

Jazz Band @ Hayes Fair – Sunday 11th June – afternoon – The Warren

Summer Concert – Wednesday 5th July – 6.30 pm

HazeFest – Saturday 8th July

Musical Theatre Club trip to see Matilda – Wednesday 12th July

Summer Concert

Get your tickets here

HazeFest 2023

Tickets on sale now – click here

Jazz Band

Thank you to Jazz Band for entertaining the guests at last night’s Sports Award Evening.

The Joseph video is here!

Fancy being in a local production of School of Rock?

Something to listen to:

Click here to listen

Try playing your part along with these videos:

Fab summer holiday opportunities

Read the article and listen to the song here

And finally …

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Have a lovely half term holiday

The colours have arrived. If you are owed one from the Easter Concert, please see Miss W.

Fancy being in a local production of School of Rock?

Thank you to everyone who wrote a Royal Albert Hall trip review for the school newsletter:

Later this term:

Try playing your part along with these videos:

Fab opportunity for singers:

BYMT news

Here’s an amazing example of keeping calm and carrying on! Click on the image to watch the video.

And finally …

Click on the image to see the video.

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Trip photos

Thank you to all who came on the Royal Albert Hall trip. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

Here’s some information about the stroke rehabilitation programme that the RPO players spoke to us about:

STROKESTRA® is a pioneering stroke rehabilitation programme that harnesses the power of group creative music-making alongside professional musicians and clinicians to drive patient-led recovery in stroke patients and their carers.

The programme utilises a range of specially adapted musical techniques to address the complex needs of stroke survivors and their carers. From physical rehabilitation work involving functional movement, grasp and mobility to social integration supporting confidence-building, communication and renewed sense of self, the programme supports patients and their carers to work towards rehabilitation holistically, setting and meeting goals that matter to them.

Coming up this term:

Try playing your part along with these videos:

And finally …

“Sweet Caroline” is a song written and performed by American singer Neil Diamond and released in May 1969 as a single with the title “Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)“. It was arranged by Charles Calello, and recorded at American Sound Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.

Neil Leslie Diamond (born January 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. He has sold more than 130 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time.