SCHOOL LIFE Music
schools. The AGS Jazz Band did
music, dancing, singing, and drinks
another excellent job at the Malawi
later and all became quiet once more
Party in the last week of the summer
in the halls and corridors of AGS as
The Music department at AGS never sleeps. Whatever time of
term, saying goodbye and thank
everyone made their way home in
you to our friends from Malawi who
the early hours of Saturday morning.
year it is, there is always another
had spent two weeks with us. Other
Huge congratulations and thanks to
event for students to be working
events such as the PTA Ball and a
all musicians, teachers, and prefects
towards, whether it’s a huge event
private 60th birthday function have
who made it such an incredible night
like Cabaret Night or a small soloists’
helped expand the positive reputation
once again.
evening. Throughout the year,
of the Jazz Band and the wider
students from all years have stepped
music department.
up to the mark and performed to
The other primary musical highlight every year is House Music: without
One event that always outshines all
a doubt one of the most competitive
others in the AGS musical calendar
house events on the school calendar.
is Cabaret Night. Every year on the
There was not a free practice room
first May Bank Holiday weekend,
in sight from November 2016 all the
The variety of events we have
students, parents, and teachers
way through to February 2017 as the
performed at this year has once
alike gather to enjoy the incredible
houses prepared for the big day. It
again been commendable,
display that Aylesburians of all
was an honour this year to have Old
performing at venues such as the
ages and standards have to offer.
Aylesburian Jules Buckley as our
AGS Hall, Pitstone Green, St Mary’s
Kicking off at 7 o’clock with some
adjudicator, a very well-respected
Church, Tyringham Hall, and the
quiet background music and a few
musician, composer, arranger, and
Waterside Theatre. One event it was
drinks, the evening built through
conductor. Some students were
a particular pleasure to perform at
student-led bands to Junior Jazz
lucky enough to talk musical careers
again was the Stocklake Park School
Band, reaching a huge climax of the
with him face-to-face, an incredible
Christmas Party, helping to establish
evening in the form of the Jazz and
opportunity to get professional advice
a great connection between our two
Funktion Bands. Two hours of great
on the industry. The competition
an extremely high level, with styles ranging from choral music to big band jazz to psychedelic rock.
was incredibly tight, as always, but ultimately Paterson House came out on top, with Joe Kearney and Ayush Rodriguez heading up the side. From Blues Brothers to Madness to One Direction, House Music 2017 was certainly a night to remember. Many thanks to all the music staff, particularly to Mr Nathan and Mr Dallas, for all the time and effort they put into producing the great standard of music here at AGS. Tom Roberston – Hampden 12
The Aylesburian 2016/2017
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