Strings

from BSAK Music Newsletter - Summer Term | 2020/2021

by BSAK Abu Dhabi

Singing

A MESSAGE FROM THE STRINGS DEPARTMENT

Mr Roger Norkie | HEAD OF STRINGS

Mr Milan Jankovic |

CELLO TEACHER

Mrs Hanneke Willson |

STRINGS TEACHER

Another year is coming to a close and despite its many challenges, our students managed to make incredible progress on their instruments. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them.

Participation in our virtual concerts this year received a huge uptake each term in which students demonstrated and showcased their hard work. I really hoped you enjoyed listening to them as much as we enjoyed putting them together.

Many of our students completed internal examinations with Mr Hall and Mr Townsley acting as our examiners. They clearly impressed the examiners as we had many students pass with merits and distinctions. A special mention goes to Jiaming Lu who passed his ABRSM Grade 8 examination with a distinction.

The string team continued their recruitment drive at the start of the academic year and needless to say, it was a great success. We got a huge uptake of students learning the violin and cello in year 2, 3 and 4. We wish these young learners well on their journey to become proficient players in the future. We hope they will be able to join our beginner groups, ‘Violin time’ and ‘Cello time’ when we resume co-curricular activities, hopefully sometime in the first term, next academic year.

As our ensembles were not allowed to rehearse during the pandemic, we formed a number of smaller groups to play chamber music. For the first time in over a year, our students were able to play some live music in groups, allowing them to enjoy the social aspect of learning an instrument. This did give them that extra incentive to practise, having something to work towards.

A special mention to those students who will leave us at the end of the academic year. Some of you joined BSAK in Primary School and spent your entire school career with us. Thank you for the countless concerts, rehearsals and fond memories we have made together. Continue making music and all the best for your futures. We say goodbye to William Hargreaves, Cora Bridgeman, Amelie Popplewell, Katie Popplewell, Savanna Stewart and Jemima Meah.

The link to our Virtual Summer Concert is towards the back of the Newsletter. As I’m sure you'll all agree, the progress is evident across the year, so please sit back and enjoy.