Music at WGS

Music to our ears

The Music Tour to Jersey was one of the first overseas trips to be reinstated postpandemic. Lucy and Beth share some of their memories:

“What a way to start the summer holidays! 26 WGS musicians packed their suitcases full of sheet music, put on their matching blue tour hoodies and boarded the coach mid-heatwave to travel to Heathrow airport.

We arrived at Château Vermont, which is home to the Jersey School of Music and was our base for the week. Following a busy travel day getting saxophones and violins through Heathrow airport security, we spent our first evening playing football and relaxing, preparing for the busy week of rehearsals and performances ahead.

After a morning rehearsal on Wednesday, we all headed to the Howard Davis Park where we performed our first concert in the bandstand. Strings, Big Band and Flute Choir were just some of the ensembles –a particular highlight was Chamber Choir’s highly appropriate performance of We’re All Going on a Summer Holiday We spent the afternoon at Jersey Zoo then headed back to the Château, clutching our gift shop purchases including Jersey fudge, flamingo key rings and several fluffy gorillas. We spent Thursday at Mont Orgueil Castle exploring the castle and climbing a lot of spiral staircases. We replaced our horses, swords and princess dresses with instruments for the afternoon as we performed our second concert in the castle. That evening at the Chateau was the ‘Jersey themed dinner experience’.

There were definitely mixed opinions on the nettle soup and Jersey crock (bean stew), but everyone enjoyed the Black Butter cheesecake!

Friday was our big concert day which was a huge success. We were joined by members of the Jersey Music School and live streamed the concert to friends and family at home.”

Back at WGS, this term we have been treated to some wonderful evenings of music. On Wednesday 5th October, our incredibly talented Music Scholars and Award Holders took to the Big School stage for a magnificent showcase of talent. This was followed by Junior and Senior Teatime concerts; both lovely occasions to celebrate the developing musical skills of our talented young musicians.

Sixth Form Music Scholar, Dharam Sangha, has been sharing his musical passion with younger students. Dharam leads a weekly Dhol club for students in Years 7 and 8, and alongside Gurjot Kular (Year 8), paid a visit to Reception to put on a fantastic Dhol demonstration to assist with their Diwali celebrations.

The Autumn term was brought to a festive conclusion with the annual Christmas concerts performed by Junior and Senior musicians. Christmas cheer was also spread as students went carol singing to Engleberg and Arbour Lodge Care Homes.