Here is the rehearsal schedule for p1-5 on Wednesday 30th. Techies – please note that you’re needed to help set up after school on Monday.  Everything is in the Hall unless stated otherwise. Weekly rehearsals will continue as usual next Monday and Tuesday.

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 should be finished by 9pm. 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 for adults on the door. Senior citizens and under-18s are FREE!

Please continue to practise your parts carefully and use the following links to help you:

Choir: Click here to hear this term’s songs and practise your part.

Concert band: 

Click here for West Side Story

Click here for Pirates of the Caribbean.

Click here for Big Fun in the Sun.

HUB (Hayes Ukulele Band): PLEASE SEE THE RESOURCES ON SATCHEL ONE.

Musical Theatre: PLEASE SEE THE RESOURCES MISS W HAS BEEN PUTTING ON SATCHEL ONE FOR YOU.

Click here for One Day More. Lyrics here.

Click here for My Shot. Lyrics here.

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Reminder: The ET trip is next Thursday

ET film screening with live orchestra:
Thursday 31st March, 7.30pm, Royal Festival Hall, London. Please check your Satchel One for final arrangements.

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Musical Theatre choreography workshop

Thank you to all the students who took part. Keep practising the songs and moves so you are ready for next week’s concert. Please see Satchel One for the resources to help you learn the two songs.

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Oscars: How Encanto composer Germaine Franco is smashing the glass ceiling

Click here to read the article.

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This is a piece of music from what is widely acknowledged as one of the finest jazz records ever produced. Enjoy 🙂

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Typatone

Typatone is a free online tool that converts text to tones. 

Heardle: The new version of Wordle – but for music fans

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And finally ….

All our extra-curricular groups are performing at this event so please practise your parts carefully and use the following links to help you.

Choir: Click here to hear this term’s songs and practise your part.

Concert band: 

Click here for West Side Story

Click here for Pirates of the Caribbean.

Click here for Big Fun in the Sun.

HUB (Hayes Ukulele Band): PLEASE SEE THE RESOURCES ON SATCHEL ONE.

Musical Theatre: PLEASE SEE THE RESOURCES MISS W HAS BEEN PUTTING ON SATCHEL ONE FOR YOU.

Click here for One Day More. Lyrics here.

Click here for My Shot. Lyrics here.

Music colours will be awarded during the Easter Concert

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BYMT news

Well done to all of you who took part in the BYMT Festival of Wind last weekend – you were fab. It was great to see so many of you across the different bands.

Good luck to those of you performing in the Festival of Strings and Festival of Choirs this weekend.

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Music department trips
ET film screening with live orchestra:
Thursday 31st March, 7.30pm, Royal Festival Hall, London
Musical Theatre trip to see Les Mis:
Thursday 28th April, 7.30pm, Sondheim Theatre, London

ET trip meeting

We will be having a short meeting on Thursday 24th March 3.05-3.20pm in CGG to go through the final arrangements and reminders. All students going on the ET trip must attend this meeting. Please contact me if there’s a reason why you cannot attend.

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The award-winning LSO Play is a free interactive and immersive web app, allowing you to experience the LSO on stage at the Barbican – anytime, anywhere. Choose from six performances, all filmed in HD during the LSO’s Barbican season.

How to find the resources
Go to LSO Play and click the menu button in the top left-hand corner of each performance. 

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Something else to try: Chrome Music Lab

Chrome Music Lab is an fab project from Google that will get your creative juices flowing and your inner composer composing.

Find out more about it here.

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Another free online masterclass for percussionists

Click here to find out more.

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This video from Vox is well worth a watch

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And finally …

Well done to everyone who performed in MusicFest this week. There was such an incredible array of brilliantly performed, imaginative and creative music, from students in every single year group. Special thanks to our tech team and everyone else who helped on the night and behind the scenes.

Next up is our Easter Concert on Wednesday 30th March, 6.30pm, School Hall.

All our extra-curricular groups are performing in this.

Please make sure that you try to attend all rehearsals this term and remember to let the organiser know if you are going to be absent.

Choir: Click here to hear this term’s songs and practise your part.

Concert band: click here for West Side Story and here for Pirates of the Caribbean.

Click here for Big Fun in the Sun.

HUB (Hayes Ukulele Band): please see Satchel One for lyrics and chords.

Musical Theatre: PLEASE SEE THE RESOURCES MISS W HAS BEEN PUTTING ON SATCHEL ONE FOR YOU.

Click here for One Day More. Lyrics here.

Click here for My Shot. Lyrics here.

MUSICAL THEATRE GROUP

CHOREOGRAPHY SESSION – SAVE THE DATE

Our next choreography session with Larissa will be held in CGD after school on Friday 18th March 3-5 pm. We need as many of you there as possible so that you are all ready to perform in the Easter concert on Wednesday 30th March, 6.30pm, School Hall.

Music department trips

ET film screening with live orchestra:

Thursday 31st March, 7.30pm, Royal Festival Hall, London

Musical Theatre trip to see Les Mis:

Thursday 28th April, 7.30pm, Sondheim Theatre, London

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Musical theatre opportunity this Easter

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BYSO & BYCO will be performing works by John Williams, Grainger, Beethoven & Brahms at their concert on Sun 20 March at Langley Boys. Fantastic evening, wonderful music. Please come along & support our talented young musicians. https://t.co/aGV9m8ng2g pic.twitter.com/rQLJPi8EUZ

— BYMT (@OfficialBYMT) February 25, 2022

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Find out … why we are all addicted to bass

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This is Google’s first-ever AI-powered interactive Doodle. The Doodle celebrates world-renowned German composer and musician, Johann Sebastian Bach. It is an interactive experience encouraging players to compose a two-bar melody of their choice. With the press of a button, the Doodle then uses machine learning to harmonize the custom melody into Bach’s signature music style (or a Bach 80’s rock style hybrid if you happen to find a very special easter egg in the Doodle…).

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And finally …

Well done to everyone who performed in MusicFest this week. There was such an incredible array of brilliantly performed, imaginative and creative music, from students in every single year group. Special thanks to our tech team and everyone else who helped on the night and behind the scenes.

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March is Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month is dedicated to honouring and learning about women’s contributions to history, culture and society.

Here are some listening suggestions celebrating the work of female composers:

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Concerts and trips this term:

Choir: Click here to hear this term’s songs and practise your part.

Musical Theatre:

Click here for One Day More. Lyrics here.

Click here for My Shot. Lyrics here.

Concert band: click here for West Side Story and here for Pirates of the Caribbean.

Click here for Big Fun in the Sun.

HUB (Hayes Ukulele Band): please see Satchel One for lyrics and chords.

Please make sure that you try to attend all rehearsals this term and remember to let the organiser know if you are going to be absent.

Music department trips

ET film screening with live orchestra:

Thursday 31st March, 7.30pm, Royal Festival Hall, London

Musical Theatre group:

Thursday 28th April, 7.30pm, Sondheim Theatre, London

MUSICAL THEATRE GROUP

CHOREOGRAPHY SESSION – SAVE THE DATE

Our next choreography session with Larissa will be held in CGD after school on Friday 18th March. We need as many of you there as possible so that you are all ready to perform in the Easter concert on Wednesday 30th March, 6.30pm, School Hall.

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Musical theatre opportunity this Easter

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Spotlight on … Beethoven

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FIND OUT ABOUT … The Eye Harp

According to an Arts Council England study, just 1.8 percent of professionals in the music industry identify as being disabled. This contrasts bleakly to the almost 19 percent of the UK workforce who are considered disabled under the 2010 Equality Act. This is unsurprising when a career in the music industry has historically been seen as inaccessible for disabled people.

The Eye Harp

Development of this groundbreaking modern music technology started in 2010, when Zacharías Vamvakousis, a musician and software developer, was studying for his Master’s degree in Sound and Music computing in Barcelona. A musician friend of Vamvakousis was involved in a serious motorcycle accident, and it was unclear if he would be able to play music ever again. Realising that there was no musical instrument accessible for quadriplegic people at this time, Vamvakousis began developing the EyeHarp.

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Did you know that the London Borough of Bromley is home to an iconic outdoor performance venue called the Crystal Palace Bowl?

From 1961 it hosted regular classical music performances by the likes of the London Symphony Orchestra and London Philharmonic Orchestra. From 1971 to the early 1990s the Bowl saw some of the most popular musical acts in the world across rock, pop, punk, blues, jazz, roots and reggae play the ‘Garden Party’ festivals and later Greater London Council organised events. 

Find out more about the history of the venue and plans for its renewal here.

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And finally …

SIGN UP FOR MUSICFEST HERE

The last day for entries is Wednesday 2nd March

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Concerts and trips this term:

Choir: Click here to hear this term’s songs and practise your part.

Musical Theatre:

Click here for One Day More. Lyrics here.

Click here for My Shot. Lyrics here.

Concert band: click here for West Side Story and here for Pirates of the Caribbean.

HUB (Hayes Ukulele Band): please see Satchel One for lyrics and chords.

Please make sure that you try to attend all rehearsals this term and remember to let the organiser know if you are going to be absent.

Music department trips

ET film screening with live orchestra:

Thursday 31st March, 7.30pm, Royal Festival Hall, London

Musical Theatre group:

Thursday 28th April, 7.30pm, Sondheim Theatre, London

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Brooke and the NYO

Well done to Brooke for a fab performance with the National Youth Orchestra at the Warwick Arts Centre last month. You can watch the full concert (including her conducting debut for Meredith Monk’s 1984 piece, Panda Chant II at 1 hour, 23 mins and 40 seconds) here:

Concert review:

Watch the NYO live this April for FREE:

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BYMT news:

Click here for more details.

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Architecture in Music

In his Architecture of Music Series, Charles Brooks uses Special Probe lenses and High Resolution Lumix cameras to capture the inside of instruments in a way that makes them appear vast and cavernous. Each photo is made up of dozens to hundreds of individual frames, carefully combined to give the sensation of space and depth.

See if you can work out which instruments are photographed below:

Answers and more photos here

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Exciting opportunity for composers in years 10-13

Future Makers is an exciting new opportunity for young London-based musicians. Taking place on 9 November 2022, this main stage event at the Royal Albert Hall will feature young creatives from across the capital performing their original works to a stellar industry panel, invited guests and an audience of young people.

Submissions to take part in the event will be open from 21 February – 9 May 2022. Entrants must be submitted via a London Music Hub. Please see the ‘Criteria’ tab for more information.

A shortlist of acts will be invited to a live audition in the Hall’s Elgar Room in July, and entrants will be informed by the end of July if they will be taking part in the live show.

A cross-genre industry panel will give feedback and advice to all performers following the concert, and the winning act will receive a bespoke package of support and opportunities from the Hall and its partners to continue their development as an artist.

Find out more here.

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And finally …

Join us on our Music Department trip – there are a few places still available

THE LAST DAY TO SIGN UP FOR THIS TRIP IS MONDAY 21ST FEBRUARY (THAT’S THE FIRST MONDAY BACK AFTER HALF TERM)

The parents/guardians of our GCSE, A Level music/music tech students and members of all our music clubs, should have received the trip letter via email on Monday 24th January. Please let us know if your parent/guardian did not receive this email.

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Looking for something to do during half term?

Click here to find out more.

Can’t visit? Watch this walkthrough video instead:

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Watch West Side Story at the cinema

(rating 12A)

A new adaptation of the beloved stage musical (and a loving tribute to its 1961 big-screen iteration) from director Steven Spielberg and Pulitzer Prize-winning screenwriter Tony Kushner, West Side Story follows two teenagers from different ethnic backgrounds who fall in love in 1950s New York City.

As their romance intensifies, they find themselves drawn into the heart of a conflict between two warring gangs.

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For those of you who have Disney Plus at home, this documentary about the making of the new film is worth a watch:

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MUSICFEST

SIGN UP FOR MUSICFEST HERE

The last day for entries is Wednesday 2nd March

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Concerts this term:

Choir: Click here to hear this term’s songs and practise your part.

Musical Theatre:

Click here for One Day More. Lyrics here.

Click here for My Shot. Lyrics here.

Concert band: click here for West Side Story and here for Pirates of the Caribbean.

HUB (Hayes Ukulele Band): Please start learning the lyrics for these songs too:

click here for I’m Yours  

click here for How Far I’ll Go

click here for Stand By Me

click here for Rocket Man

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Another fab FREE opportunity from PercWorks:

Find out more and sign up here.

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Happy Birthday to John Williams

Legendary film composer, John Williams, turned 90 this week.

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Discover instruments from around the world and closer to home in this mini series from the orchestra’s Principal Percussionist.

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And finally …

“I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” is a song written and performed by Scottish duo the Proclaimers, and first released as the lead single from their 1988 album Sunshine on Leith. The song reached number 11 in the UK Singles Chart on its initial release and has since become their most popular song worldwide.

Karaoke time – enjoy!

Join us to hear John Williams’ Academy Award-winning score performed live by the 80+ players of the Philharmonia, as we watch the film on the Royal Festival Hall’s huge screen. We are really looking forward to it. It will be a fantastic night of music and film.

This clip of John Williams discussing the process of composing the score for ET is well worth a watch:

The parents/guardians of our GCSE, A Level music/music tech students and members of all our music clubs, should have received the trip letter via email on Monday 24th January. Please let us know if your parent/guardian did not receive this email.

The final date for signing up and payment is Monday 21st February.

Concerts this term:

Choir & Musical Theatre singers: click here to hear this term’s songs and practise your part.

Musical Theatre: click here for One Day More

Concert band: click here for West Side Story and here for Pirates of the Caribbean.

HUB (Hayes Ukulele Band): Please start learning the lyrics for these songs too:

click here for I’m Yours  

click here for How Far I’ll Go

click here for Stand By Me

click here for Rocket Man

New MusicFest date:

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 is the video from last term’s MusicFest so you can get a flavour of what it’s like:

SIGN UP FOR MUSICFEST HERE

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Competitions:

Click here to find out more.

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Compose Yourself! is an annual online composition festival open to all young pianists resident in the UK. We aim to offer young pianists the opportunity to develop their musicianship, creativity and self-expression through composition.

There are two main categories: competitive and non-competitive, with classes for different age groups in the competitive category.  Each entrant will receive an encouraging comment sheet from one of our expert adjudicators, a certificate and a piece of music from a leading educational composer. Find out more here.

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Fab opportunity during half term:

Virtual sessions

Click here to find out more.

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For the puzzle lovers:

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And finally …

And here’s one for Miss Werry …

I expect to see photos of your own musical snowman when we finally get a snow day!

Monday 7th March, School Hall, 6pm

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 is the video from last term’s MusicFest so you can get a flavour of what it’s like:

SIGN UP FOR MUSICFEST HERE

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Please make sure you attend all rehearsals this term and remember to let the organiser know if you are unable to attend.

Choir & Musical Theatre singers: click here to hear this term’s songs and practise your part.

Musical Theatre: click here for One Day More

Concert band: click here for West Side Story and here for Pirates of the Caribbean.

HUB (Hayes Ukulele Band): click here for I’m Yours and here for How Far I’ll Go

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Volunteers needed

If anyone is interested in helping me create a regular #MusicAndMe feature for the blog (and perhaps the school newsletter) then please come and see me in CGG or email me. It would involve interviewing members of staff about the role of music in their life. Thank you. From Mrs Foster

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What would you like to see on the blog or happening in the music department?

Let me know your ideas via email. Thank you.

From Mrs Foster

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MUSIC DEPARTMENT TRIP – PLACES ARE GOING FAST. HAVE YOU RESERVED YOUR PLACE YET?

We have arranged a trip to take students up to London on the train to hear John Williams’ Academy Award-winning score performed live by the 80+ players of the Philharmonia, as we watch the film on the Royal Festival Hall’s huge screen. It will be a fab concert!

Filled with unparalleled magic and imagination, ET The Extra-Terrestrial tells the moving story of a lost little alien who befriends a 10-year-old boy named Elliott.

Experience all the mystery and fun of their unforgettable adventure in the beloved movie that has captivated audiences around the world since it was first released in 1982.

Enjoy John Williams’ Academy Award-winning score performed live by the 80+ players of the Philharmonia, as you watch the film on the Royal Festival Hall’s huge screen.

The parents/guardians of our GCSE, A Level music/music tech students and members of all our music clubs, should have received the trip letter via email on Monday 24th January. Please let us know if your parent/guardian did not receive this email.

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Fab opportunity for 11-14 year olds, grade 4-8 standard

Please note: the deadline for completing the application form is Monday 31st January

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Have a look at …

What is Experience Classical?

It’s a new way to discover classical music from the BBC, featuring hundreds of unique audio recordings all performed by the BBC Orchestras, Choirs and New Generation Artists. And alongside these tracks you’ll find radio programmes and podcasts that give you background and insight, so you can get even more out of the music.

Search by categories including Composers, Instruments, Popular Classics, Cutting Edge, Discovery and Moods like Energise, Focus and Wind Down.

Young Musician Podcast

Fab saxophonist, Jess Gillam, hosts this podcast about young musicians, for young musicians.

Here’s an example of the topics covered:

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Weekly Recitals

And finally…

Concerts at school this term

Please make sure you attend all rehearsals this term and remember to let the organiser know if you are unable to attend.

Choir & Musical Theatre singers: click here to hear this term’s songs and practise your part.

Musical Theatre: click here for One Day More

Concert band: click here for West Side Story and here for Pirates of the Caribbean.

HUB (Hayes Ukulele Band): click here for I’m Yours

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MUSIC DEPARTMENT TRIP – SAVE THE DATE!

We are in the process of arranging a trip to take students up to London on the train to hear John Williams’ Academy Award-winning score performed live by the 80+ players of the Philharmonia, as we watch the film on the Royal Festival Hall’s huge screen. It will be a fab concert!

Filled with unparalleled magic and imagination, ET The Extra-Terrestrial tells the moving story of a lost little alien who befriends a 10-year-old boy named Elliott.

Experience all the mystery and fun of their unforgettable adventure in the beloved movie that has captivated audiences around the world since it was first released in 1982.

Enjoy John Williams’ Academy Award-winning score performed live by the 80+ players of the Philharmonia, as you watch the film on the Royal Festival Hall’s huge screen.

The parents/guardians of our GCSE, A Level music/music tech students and members of all our music clubs, should have received the trip letter via email on Monday 24th January.

Please let us know if your parent/guardian did not receive this email.

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Practise sight-reading rhythms with the LPO

Can you follow along? 🤯

Tchaikovsky wrote a smashing part for the cymbals in his Fourth Symphony, but we wonder why they don’t play the final note 🤔

What do you think? pic.twitter.com/la2US3Gvyv

— London Philharmonic Orchestra (@LPOrchestra) January 18, 2022

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Electronic music fans

Find out about the history of electronic music and play a synth at home using AR by clicking here.

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The LPO Soundworks Studio is an online space to inspire young people to create and share their own music. Hear from top industry professionals across a range of disciplines, explore resources and find out how you can get involved in LPO Soundworks projects.

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And finally …

Concerts at school this term:

Please make a note of the change of date for the Easter Concert. It will now be held on Wednesday 30th March instead of Thursday 31st March.

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Concert Band

Here’s another band playing the same arrangement of West Side Story that we will be performing in the Easter Concert. Use this to help you practise your part at home:

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Musical Theatre

Here’s the Hayes School assembly flash mob from 2014 that we were telling you about!

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HUB

Hayes Ukulele Band is back! Come along to CGG every Friday lunch to strum, sing and have fun. Bring your lunch and your friends 🙂

Here’s a clip of the original HUB from way back in 2012!

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Local opportunities for song writers

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Reading recommendations

Classical music for everyone – an inspirational piece of music for every day of the year, celebrating composers from the medieval era to the present day, written by award-winning violinist and BBC Radio 3 presenter Clemency Burton-Hill.

Clemency chooses one piece of music for each day of the year, with a short explanation about the composer to put it into context, and brings the music alive in a modern and playful way, while also extolling the positive mindfulness element of giving yourself some time every day to listen to something uplifting or beautiful. Thoughtfully curated and expertly researched, this is a book of classical music to keep you company: whoever you are, wherever you’re from. Playlists are available on most streaming music platforms including Apple Music and Spotify.

waterstones.com

Clemency Burton-Hill is an English broadcaster, author, novelist, journalist and violinist. She  suffered a major brain haemorrhage at the start of 2020 and music played a key role in her recovery. You can read more about her here, and listen to her chat about her music-filled recovery here (from 26 mins).

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Click here to find out what musical things happened on today’s date since the 1960s.

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And finally …