It’s been great to have the music corridor alive with music again this week. Welcome to the Year 7s who came along to try out our clubs. We hope you enjoyed them.
Thank you to to those of you who helped out at BYMT’s Try a Musical Instrument day last weekend. BYMT were really grateful for your help in inspiring the next generation of BYMT musicians.
Music events at school this term:
MusicFest
Our first concert of the year is on October 13th which is only four weeks away. MusicFests are informal concerts where students from any year group can perform pieces of their own choice to a friendly and supportive audience. We always have a huge range of music, from students’ very first public performance to students who are already hugely experienced musicians. We have all styles of music from classical to rock to musical theatre and students’ own compositions. There are solos, duets and groups. Here’s a fun idea …
Here is the video from the last MusicFest so you can get a flavour of what it’s like:
Four weeks to go so get planning! More details to follow.
Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Oliver Taylor Hawkins (1972 – 2022) was an American musician, best known as the drummer of the rock band Foo Fighters, with whom he recorded eight studio albums between 1999 and 2021. Before joining the band in 1997, he was the touring drummer for Sass Jordan and for Alanis Morissette, as well as the drummer in the progressive experimental band Sylvia.
Read about the tribute concert here and watch Taylor performing with the Foo Fighters back in 2008 below:
And finally …
John Williams conducts his theme from Jaws with the Boston Pops Orchestra
We are inspired by the extraordinary commitment, hope and courage of Her Majesty the Queen; at just 21 years of age, she vowed that her life would be devoted to the service of her people and never faltered. Through music, we offer our deepest sympathy to the Royal Family. pic.twitter.com/fHSfuoS5Bq
— National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain (@NYO_GB) September 9, 2022
The letters for this trip will be going home in a week or so. Keep an eye on the blog for updates.
Music Ambassadors
Well done to our Year 8 Music Ambassadors who spent morning registration on Thursday speaking to the whole of Year 7 about all of the wonderful opportunities on offer in the music department this term.
BYMT is open on Saturday 10 Sept, 10am-1pm, for our Try a Musical Instrument day. Excellent chance to come along to the centre, try the instruments, talk to the teachers & make some noise! pic.twitter.com/oxZUrbBVs2
The sublime Invicta Sinfonia returns to Langley Park for the second of two special concerts to raise funds for the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, under the baton of Emily Singh. Alongside Tchaikovsky’s turbulent Symphony No. 6, the orchestra will be joined by pianist Violina Petrychenko for the UK PREMIERE of Vasyl Barvinsky’s Piano Concerto.
One of the first Ukrainian composers to gain worldwide recognition, Barvinsky’s work is a perfect example of his late Romantic style with impressionistic features. The soloist Violina Petrychenko, the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, is on a mission to make the music and culture of her native Ukraine more widely known: her last three albums entirely featured Ukrainian composers of the 20th century, many of whose works have never been previously recorded.
The concerto will be paired with Tchaikovsky’s (1840-1893) Symphony No. 6, one of the composer’s final attempts at musically conveying his personal anguish in the face of the power of fate. Tchaikovsky had close family ties to Ukraine and spent several months a year in the country visiting relatives: he cited his heritage and the country as inspiration for his work, composing there some of his most beautiful and enduring music including Swan Lake, The Maid of Orleans, Sleeping Beauty, and Eugene Onegin.
Invicta Sinfonia was founded in 2020, and is dedicated to prioritising underrepresented composers and community engagement, and offers this performance of Barvinsky and Tchaikovsky as a bridge to connect and unite. The DEC’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal will help the charity deliver vital aid to hundreds of thousands of people in Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Hungary and Moldova.
Vincent Bal is a “shadowologist” and filmmaker from Belgium. He adds doodles to the shadows of everyday objects to create imaginative pieces.
He creates his characters from random shadows projected on paper and transforming them into something else, like animals or landscapes. The process started in 2016, after posting a picture and sharing it on Instagram. The reactions were so positive that he challenged himself to make one of these ‘shadow doodles’ every day. He hasn’t stopped since.
Here’s his Concerto for Piano Peeler 🙂
And finally …
If you don’t get it, listen to the lyrics in the following song. Enjoy!
John Francis Bongiovi Jr. (born 1962), known professionally as Jon Bon Jovi, is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor. He is best known as the founder and frontman of the rock band Bon Jovi, which was formed in 1983. “Livin’ on a Prayer” was released in 1986 and is the band’s signature song, topping fan-voted lists and re-charting around the world decades after its release. In 2013, the song was certified triple platinum for over 3 million digital downloads. The official music video has over 936 million views on YouTube as of July 2022.
Please make a note of all these dates, and make sure they are added to your family calendar too.
As you can see, we have LOTS of fab things planned for this year. Concerts, a whole school musical, trips to London to see a show and concert at the Royal Albert Hall and an European music tour! Lots more info to come so keep checking back here for updates.
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 her fantastic performance with the NYO at the Proms and for inspiring the members of the NCO:
What a treat to hear @dannyelfman's London premiere of 'Wunderkammer' at the @RoyalAlbertHall, performed by @NYO_GB under the baton of Andrew Gourlay. Here's a preview to enjoy ahead of tonight's broadcast.
Here she is alongside a fellow NYO player and fab saxophonist @JessGillamSax
Well done, Brooke 🙂
Emma in year 10 performed with SLYO this summer and here’s what she has to say about her experience:
SLYO (South London Youth Orchestra) is a fantastic opportunity for musicians from grade 2-8+ to experience what it is like to play and be part of an orchestra. The SLYO organisation runs 4 orchestras, SLYO 1, SLYO2, SLYO 3 and SLYO 4, and they play every Christmas and summer (with SLYO2-4 P playing at Spring as well) in Dulwich as JAGS. SLYO 3 & 4 are chamber orchestras – consisting of only string instruments (violin, viola, cello and double bass), and SLYO 1 & 2 being full orchestras.
I have taken part in SLYO this summer, and the previous Christmas. This summer, we had a fantastic programme of Poulenc’s ‘Les Biches’ suite, Ravel’s ‘Pavane pour une infante dèfunte’ (a song for a dead princess) and Modest Mussorgsky’s famous ‘Pictures from an Exhibition’ (orchestrated by Ravel).
‘Les Biches’ is a one act ballet which consists of no story, but simply depicts many random interactions of people at a house party one afternoon. The whole ballet has 8 movements (excluding the overture) , although three of them are choral sections, and therefore we played 5 of them (again, excluding the overture). The 5 movements that we played are the Rondeau, the Adagietto, Rag Mazurka, Andantino and the Finale.
Ravel originally wrote the ‘Pavane pour une infante dèfunte’ for solo piano, however later orchestrated the piece. Ravel also commented that he gave the piece its title simply because he thought that the words sounded nice together. He didn’t intentionally name it ‘a song for a dead princess’, although it is often interpreted in the modern world to be played as if it were a funeral march. The piece features a very famous and beautiful horn solo which I was able to play, and it was such an amazing experience.
Modest Mussorgsky was inspired to write ‘Pictures of an Exhibition’ after his friend, a famous artist died, and he wrote it in honour of him, and inspired by his artwork. One of the most famous themes however, is the promenade, which depicts waking around a gallery, and this theme reoccurs very often throughout the piece. There ae 10 movements overall (not including the promenades): Gnomus, Il Vecchio Castillo, Tuileries, Bydlo, Ballet for unhatched chicks, Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle, Limoges, Catacombs, Baba Yaga and the Great Gate.
The performance was so amazing, and to be able to play such fantastic pieces such as Pictures from an Exhibition, the Pavane and the Poulenc suite was just incredible.
As you know, we are big fans of the ukulele here at Hayes. Take a couple of minutes out to listen to this lovely ukulele arrangement of Prelude from Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1. Enjoy 🙂
Thank you all for a fantastic year of music-making. It has been great to see so many Year 7s join our Hayes Music community.
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 actuallyprom – 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.
Next year will be just as busy, and we look forward to lots more music after the summer break including an autumn term trip to see a West End show, plus Music Tour over Easter 2023 and a film music concert at the Royal Albert Hall next summer.
Summer concert video
Congratulations to all who performed at HAZEFEST’22
Thank you to all who took part in this event. Congratulations to the winner, Emma in year 9, and runner-up, Will in year 8.
Who fancies performing on a melodica at the next MusicFest?!
MusicFest will be the first concert next term so you could start planning your performance during the summer break. Wacky and imaginative performances are very welcome! Here are some ideas …
Music Ambassadors – James, Charlie, Lilian, Elinor, Iona, Alice and Bibi
The Year 7 Music Ambassadors have reflected on their first year as part of Hayes Music:
Something for the West Side Story fans…
Here is a supercut of the 1961 (Robert Wise/Jerome Robbins) and 2021 (Steven Spielberg) versions of the memorable showstopper “America” from “West Side Story,” as made famous by Rita Moreno and George Chakiris in the ’61 film and Ariana DeBose and David Alvarez in the ’21 film.
A brilliant evening all round – well done everybody!
Video and photos coming soon 🙂
Now it is time to tidy up the department. These are the things that need doing:
Music needs sorting and filing
Things need putting away
Some things need mending
Certain areas, i.e. the office and the store, need a good sort-out
Out-of-date things need taking down
If you would like to help with any of these things, or just want to hang out in music and have a jam, just rock up any lunchtime.
Thanks to everyone for a brilliant year of music. No more rehearsals now until September.
You can sing or play an instrument, or do any other kind of act that you might find in a talent show. You can even submit a duet (2 people performing together). The initial round involves submitting a video of your performance. This will be reviewed by our team, and finalists will be chosen.
The deadline for submitting your video is Friday 15th July at 3pm.
Finalists will participate in the Grand Final on Thursday 21st July at 6.30pm in the Hall. ALL entries will earn house points.
BYMT Students have organised a fantastic concert on Sunday 24 July 3.30pm at St James' Church Petts Wood. Fundraising for our Young Musicians Fund, programme includes Bach, Mozart & Haydn. Cake & handmade crafts also available. Please do come & along and support our students! pic.twitter.com/xxCVm1Iu8J
XBY Concert Band are competing in the @WMCKerkrade later this month, before they head off to Holland there is a fantastic chance to hear them perform. Sunday 10 July, 4.30pm at Emmanuel Church West Wickham – do go along & support our alumni! pic.twitter.com/Nqu9CtFjS6
Auditions are now OPEN! That's right, you can now audition to join NCO 2023 as part of its creative, inspiring and fun-filled orchestral programme. Auditions are free and are submitted via video. To find out more and to apply: https://t.co/WgAtpgDMVjpic.twitter.com/5AzwcsRWHF
Remember to share these details with family and friends.Tickets can be bought on the door or in advance via ParentPay so look out for this on your account:
Summer Concert rehearsal schedule
Here is the rehearsal schedule for p1-5 (in the hall) on Thursday7th July:
Weekly rehearsals will continue as usual next Monday, Tuesdayand Wednesday.
On concert day…
You must ONLY be in rehearsals when you are scheduled. Absence from lessons will be on SIMS according to this schedule – so if you skip any other lessons because you are ‘rehearsing’, it will go down as truancy
The concert starts at 6.30pm. You need to be there in time to be ready. Use CGD to park instrument cases etc.
You need to wear all black outfits
When you are not actually performing, you need to be in the hall being a lovely supportive, appreciative audience member for everyone else. This involves being quiet!
The concert will be finished by 9.30pm. If you are a good musician and good member of our music community, you will stick around at the end to help clear away
Tickets are £5. Under-18s are FREE!
Listen to the pieces at home and try playing your part along with them:
Please note -we will not be playing Mambo in the summer concert.
You can view the videos from the session on Satchel One. Please let Miss W know if you haven’t received the task. Keep practising the songs and moves so you are ready for next week’s concert.
Everyone Matters music projects aim to take live music and music-making to people of all ages who cannot readily access it themselves. Thank you to those of you who are involved and …
Everything you need to know about this event is on Satchel One.
Our next choreography session with Larissa will be held in CGD after school on Wednesday 29th June 3-5 pm. We need as many of you there as possible so that you are all ready to perform in the Summer Concert.
Listen to the pieces at home and try playing your part along with them:
We will not be playing Mambo in the summer concert.
Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper Thornton (born 1953) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and activist. Her career has spanned over 40 years. She is known for her distinctive image and for her powerful and distinctive four-octave singing range. She has been celebrated for her humanitarian work, particularly as an advocate for LGBT rights in the USA.
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognises excellence in live Broadway theatre. Broadway is the name of New York City’s theatre district.
MUSICAL THEATRE GROUP
CHOREOGRAPHY SESSION – SAVE THE DATE
Our next choreography session with Larissa will be held in CGD after school on Wednesday 29th June 3-5 pm. We need as many of you there as possible so that you are all ready to perform in the Summer Concert:
This talent show will be for open to anyone in years 7-10. If you would like to take part, you will need to submit a video of your performance – which can be anything as long as lyrics etc. are clean and appropriate.
Look out for more details coming soon. In the meantime, start planning!
BYMT news
There are lots of BYMT events being held over the next few weeks. Find out more here: https://www.bymt.co.uk/
A free online youth conference for young musicians aged 10-18 designed by young people, for young people
We welcome young people aged 10-18 years old from around the country to join us online for an activity-filled afternoon! We have exciting workshops on body percussion, improvisation & beatboxing, as well as musical games, survey and discussion on YOUR views of music education today. Multi Award-winning artist Moses Boyd will be joining us as guest speaker, and we hope you will too!
TIMETABLE
Welcome & Introduction
Body Percussion Workshop – Inspire-Works
Musical Game!
“What are music hubs doing across the UK?” Presentations and films by different youth forums
Survey – What’s happening in your area?
Jazz Improvisation Workshop – Matt Holborn & Beatboxing Workshop – Shamime Ibrahim
In conversation with Moses Boyd
Open discussion – have your say on Music Education in the UK today
Review of Liam Gallagher’s concert at Knebworth Park, Saturday 4th June 2022
We started the day looking around the wide variety of food places which we could buy lunch from whilst the DJ at this point was playing some very good songs for example Fools Gold by The Stone Roses. The atmosphere was already very lively and excited as everyone couldn’t wait for the big acts to come on later. An early highlight would be the supporting act of Michael Kiwanuka who was really talented and enjoyable to listen to. After him Kasabian came on, this is when the crowd surged forward. Kasabian were really good and it was very fun being in the crowd whilst everyone was jumping up and down to their fast rock songs. Later in the evening Liam Gallagher came on with a cool intro shown on the massive screens whilst the crowd roared. He started with Slide Away which the crowd loved as everyone was singing along, after playing a few of his very good new songs he ended the first half with one of his newer songs Once which had some massive fireworks to finish it off. The next half was made up of some of the greatest Oasis hits like Some might say, Supersonic and Wonderwall. At the end Liam Gallagher finished with Champagne Supernova which was brilliant and also had the biggest firework display we’d ever seen.
“Running Up That Hill” is a song by English singer and songwriter Kate Bush from her fifth studio album, Hounds of Love (1985). Written and produced by Bush, the song was released in the United Kingdom as the lead single from Hounds of Love on 5 August 1985 through EMI Records. This was her first 12-inch single and her most successful 1980s release, entering the UK Singles Chart at number nine and eventually peaking at number three, her second-highest single peak.
Catherine Bush CBE (born 30 July 1958) is an English singer, songwriter, pianist and record producer. In 1978, aged 19, she topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks with her debut single “Wuthering Heights”, becoming the first female artist to achieve a UK number one with a self-written song.
Listen to the pieces at home and try playing your part along with them:
SAVE THE DATE AND MAKE SURE YOU HAVE LET YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS KNOWABOUT IT TOO!
Interview with Harry – Year 13
List all the music clubs you’ve been involved with since you started at Hayes.
Main Choir, Concert Band, Boyvox, Hayes Ukulele Band, Simply Strings, Jamsesh, Chamber Choir, Skiffle Group, Wind Band and Jazz Band!
Chamber Choir, 2017
Where have you been on music tour? Do you have a favourite tour, and if so, why?
I went to Madrid, Germany, and Budapest. My favourite tour was Madrid as it was my first ever tour and I got to make so many new friends in the music department through that tour. I remember so many amazing memories such as my first experience of playing music abroad and getting audiences building up. I also got my roadie skills on, including lugging the kick drum where there is that classic photo of little me and Ben.
Also great memories of going to places such as the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the escape room, and other locations from other tours such as St. Thomas’ Church which was associated with J.S. Bach.
Madrid, 2017
Playing the percussion part for concert band, Madrid tour, 2017
I was also especially happy when my shirt design was chosen for the Budapest tour!
Budapest, 2019
Favourite music/songs that you’ve performed at school over the years?
Mambo Number 5, The Simpsons, ‘Music’ (the piece we’re playing at the moment) in Concert Band.
Mamma Mia Medley, Let it Shine and Make Your Own Kind Of Music in Choir.
Best memories of your time in the music department?
I remember my first time ever joining a music club, which was main choir when it was a lot bigger than it is now, and being so oblivious as to what part to sing and what to do. The sixth formers back then seemed like giants to year 7 me but they always looked out for me. I remember when choir was so big that we couldn’t fit into the music classrooms and we had to use the main hall, which had mixed opinions across the choir. I was always the soprano in boyvox because I could sing the high notes and would always belt them out. I remember when I was a music leader and I challenged myself to lead and conduct concert band and boyvox which was so much fun and I loved the power at the time aha! I remember being asked to take over the glockenspiel part and always overplaying it, and still do! I always have fond memories of all the amazing music tours as well!
MusicFest, 2017
MusicFest, 2019
Playing the bass guitar for Wind Band, 2021
MusicFest, 2021
What are your plans once you leave Hayes and how are you planning to continue your involvement with music?
I am going to the University of Bath to study Computer Science. I have some friends from BYMT in their final year there and they have told me how great the music is so I’m expecting it to be as good as the Hayes music. I am hoping to audition for a music scholarship so that I can continue my lessons there. I hope to join the orchestras at the university too.
Easter Concert, 2022
ToHarry and ALL our Year 13 Musos …
Good luck for your exams and beyond. The Music Department will miss you!
Keep in touch🙂
FREE opportunity to play alongside members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra!
Lilian – Year 7 Music Ambassador
Lilian interview Ms Larbi to find out about music she is enjoying listening to.
The following two songs were chosen as they remind her of good times from her childhood:
The next song was chosen as it makes her feel amazing, despite it being quite a sad song:
Hayes Music blog 