Hayes Music blog

This tango was originally written as a song in 1935 by Carlos Gardel. The original lyrics are about horse racing – but this is an analogy and it is really about relationships. The tango is the national music (and dance) style of Argentina; Argentinians think of tango as the blood that runs through their veins – it is very much a part of their national identity.

This version was recorded by Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti in 2012. In the video you can see some tango dancing, and also the accordion being played – although the accordion in the video is not a traditional Argentinian one. Argentinian accordions are called bandoneons, and have buttons on both sides. They are notoriously difficult to play, as you get different notes depending on whether you are pushing or pulling! Here is a version of Por una cabeza played on a banoneon:

This piece has been used in the films True Lies, Scent of a Woman, and Schindler’s List. 

Sona Jobarteh is a Gambian/British Griot – Griots are West African storytellers and musicians with a rich tradition passed down through families. Sona is the first professional female kora player. A kora is a 21-string harp-like instrument. Here she performs a traditional song from Mali.

Written for the 1962 Bond film Dr No, this has become a truly iconic film theme. Although here it is credited to John Barry, who actually wrote it has been a matter of debate. It is usually credited to Monty Norman, who won a court case establishing that it was he who actually wrote the theme.

Things to notice:

• the guitarist playing in this performance is playing a left-handed guitar
• there is a split note in the trumpet at 0:52 – this is incredibly high, and extremely demanding for the trumpet players, and just goes to show that even top professionals make mistakes sometimes! The ‘Bond sound’ of the trumpet was originally created by legendary trumpeter Derek Watkins, who played the original theme for Dr No in 1962 and then on every single Bond soundtrack until Skyfall in 2012

Sabre Dance is part of a ballet composed by Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian in 1942. The middle section of the piece is based on an Armenian folk tune.

Armenia was part of the Soviet Union at the time. It is to the east of Turkey, south of Georgia, and north of Iran:

This song was originally recorded in 1971 and was a response to police brutality during an anti-war protest (this was the time of the Vietnam War, and a lot of people were protesting against American involvement in the war). Here are the lyrics:

Every day we will bring you some listening to broaden your cultural horizons and introduce you to lots of different music. Here’s our first piece:

Written by American composer George Gershwin in 1924, Rhapsody in Blue is a concerto-like piece with a piano solo, which brings jazz and classical styles together. Gershwin wrote the first draft on a train journey, and wanted the piece to be a ‘kaleidoscope of all America’.

Listen out for:

• the clarinet solo at the start, with a rapid scale (glissando) followed by a slide (portamento) that the clarinettist does with their embouchure (tightening the lips around the mouthpiece)
• the interplay between the piano and the orchestra
• all the jazzy touches in the music

Here is a clip of (a reduced) Concert Band rehearsing today, so you can get a little taster of what you would have heard in the concert.

There will be more news on here as the situation unfolds.

In the meantime, keep playing and singing, even if you’re only doing it at home! Listen to lots of fabulous new music. We will put some suggestions on here of listening to broaden your musical horizons. 

Stay safe and keep well everyone!

We are so sorry that we have had to cancel our tour to the Netherlands following Boris Johnson’s announcement yesterday. Parents have all been emailed by Mr Whittle. It will take us a while to sort out refunds (and we don’t know yet how much everyone will get back), but we are working on it and will let everyone know as soon as we can.

Your pink tour wristbands will now be a collector’s item for The Tour That Never Was.

We will be back on tour in 2021!

In the meantime, keep singing:

(love how the dog joins in)

The cast, band, and tech crew are all working their socks off to bring you a truly fabulous show next week! Make sure you get your tickets as soon as possible, because Hayes shows ALWAYS sell out! Don’t miss it!

Jazz day at BYMT

This is a tremendous opportunity for anyone interested in learning to play jazz. It says grade 3 minimum, but there really is no upper limit – the fab jazzers organising this will make sure that more advanced players are suitably challenged. It’s only £5 and includes food and a performance – this is an opportunity that is definitely too good to miss!

After half term everything starts to warm up, in every sense:

• Guys & Dolls 12-14 March – if you are in the cast, band, or tech team, you know who you are and what rehearsals are involved! You need to get learning everything over half term…
• Easter Concert 1st April – this involves all choirs, bands etc. We really need EVERYONE at all rehearsals after half term to make the concert a success
• Tour!! 5-9 April – this is another reason we need everyone at rehearsals! There will be a parents’ meeting in the last week of term at some point, to give out all the final details, collect passports and so on (there will be a letter about this)

Jazz at BYMT: opportunities for you