Singing

HEAD OF SINGING

Mr Philip Townley

This year, the singing students have shown just how resilient they are. It was wonderful to welcome so many of them back and I must say how impressed I was with their constant, focussed attitude to singing lessons whether face to face or on Zoom.

The big project for this term has been the departmental-wide “You will be found” project. Ten of our singers took part and the recording is available for viewing via the link at the back of the Newsletter. This was only possible due to the hard work and dedication of so many members of staff within the department.

It has been wonderful that three of our singers have been accepted onto the Music Scholars Programme and they will benefit hugely from this. Congratulations to Ava, Maya and Zain. This term there have also been numerous exam successes. Congratulations to Ava, Maya and Seren. In the final week of term Adele, Eva, Jac, Rose and Zain will record their online exams with us. We wish them all the very best.

The end of an academic year marks the moment when students venture to pastures new. Adele, Amelie and Rose (Year 13) are off to university where they will be able to experience singing in Europe and the huge benefits that brings. We also say goodbye to Jac, who is off to one of the most prestigious boarding schools in the US. In the lower years Maggie and Saoirse, who have just started their promising musical journey, are leaving the UAE. Another star of the department, Silvie, is also sadly leaving the UAE. We wish you all the best for what is to come.

As this is my last term at BSAK, I would like to thank all my students and parents for all the support that has been given to me over the past two years. It has been an absolute pleasure to teach this wonderful group of students and I wish them all the very best for the next chapter. I would also like to thank Briana Corrigan for all of her hard work, humour and dedication to the Singing Department. It has been wonderful being able to work with you.