2 minute read
Music
What a year we have had in the music department! Although public performances have been prohibited this year, we have had many opportunities to celebrate our wonderful Junior School musicians online. I am so proud to report that our children have risen to the challenges and changes of 2020/2021 ‘with bells on!’
We began Michaelmas term with a beautiful solo from a Year 6 singer in the virtual Junior School Harvest Festival, and a fabulous rendition of ‘Harvest Time’ sung by our newest Junior School class, 5H. In November we were able to watch a lovely Year 4 and 6 Instrumental Concert, recorded by the children at home. Performing in their uniforms to imaginary audiences, our players really replicated the grandeur of an ‘in-person’ concert from their homes; well done everybody! Our Christmas celebrations were also recorded and came with the year’s biggest challenge for our music department – how to sing safely within Government guidelines! We rehearsed in classrooms with all available windows and doors fully open – brrrr, it was cold! However, the rehearsals went well and when we recorded both the Pre-Prep Nativity and the Junior School Carol service in the large space of the Great Hall, the children’s singing had even more meaning and impact than usual. The same could be said for our Year 5 classes, who contributed superbly to the whole College Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Lent term saw another virtual Instrumental Concert, this time by Year 3 and 5 performers. Lockdown practice was clearly evident, and it was a privilege to watch the children perform in such a professional manner. Then finally, hooray, Trinity term brought us the thrill of being able to sing and make music together again as we began to ‘emerge’ from lockdown. Our Junior School contribution to Commemoration Day by way of a stunning Year 6 duet; the excitement involved in the various Showcase rehearsals; and the musical climax of our wonderful Junior School Summer Concert has brought joy to pupils, staff and very proud parents. A tremendous well done to all our musicians for their online performances, achievements in music exams and for keeping music alive during this unique time.
