AUTUMN 2020/2021
THE BRITISH SCHOOL AL KHUBAIRAT
MUSIC NEWSLETTER britishschool.sch.ae
CONTENT MUSIC NEWSLETTER 2020/2021 Term 1
A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC Where have these past 15 weeks or so gone? It seems only a matter of weeks since we were organising Chromebooks, webcams and suchlike for instrumental staff and now we’ve finished filming festive songs to release as part of our online concert series! Once again, I must start by paying tribute and thanking the amazing team of teachers in the Music Department - both academic and instrumental - as well as the incredible support we each receive from our administrator Karen.
A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Robert Hall
PRIMARY CURRICULUM CLAIRE DODDS This term has seen the move from online Music learning, to musical activities in the classroom. Rhythm games, body percussion, listening and appreciating activities have been enjoyed by all the children
Claire Dodds
HEAD OF SECONDARY ACADEMIC MUSIC SASCHA DALLAS STUDYING MUSIC AT KS4 and 5 ● GCSE ● A LEVEL ● BTEC Music Production
GCSE MUSIC
The Edexcel GCSE Music course is divided into the following three components: Performance (30%)
Composition (30%)
Listening exam (40%)
Skills Required
HEAD OF SECONDARY ACADEMIC MUSIC SASCHA DALLAS A LEVEL MUSIC
The AQA A Level Music course is a two year linear course consisting of three components:
Component 1: Appraising Music (40% of the A Level marks)
Component 2: Performance (35% of the A Level marks)
Component 3: Composition (25% of the A Level marks) ● ● SKILLS REQUIRED
HEAD OF SECONDARY ACADEMIC MUSIC SASCHA DALLAS BTEC MUSIC PRODUCTION
There are two learning modules:
MODULE B: Music Production Skills Development (choose 2 of the following):
MODULE C: The Global Music Industry (Mandatory)
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Sascha Dallas
Music is such a powerful tool, we shouldn’t underestimate its importance in our lives, especially during challenging times such as these
Back to school | TERM 1
MRS ALISON BRYCE HEAD OF BRASS Well, we’ve had a very different first term of the year to normal but as ever, our wonderful brass players have ‘stepped up to the plate’ and have been working really hard! We lost 15 members of our brass team at the end of the last academic year due to moving schools or moving overseas, so I have had a fantastic time this term giving Brass demos and we have now welcomed many new students to the department. I am really looking forward to teaching them and hope they enjoy playing as much as our established brass players do!
Ali Bryce
KALANA DE SILVA HEAD OF GUITAR We are delighted that the guitar department had a fairly high number of students continuing lessons even during these difďŹ cult times. It was great to teach pupils face to face after such a long time! Moreover, we are very proud of the students in Years 7 - 9 who did not have the privilege of attending lessons in person, due to current regulations; they have been absolutely brilliant in their approach to online lessons and we cannot wait to see them again in person from January.
Farewell to our leaver this term.
Kalana De Silva
ALEX TCHOBANOV HEAD OF PIANO In spite of numerous challenges related to the global pandemic, we have had a productive term in our Piano Department. Piano students have shown real enthusiasm, determination, and progress during their zoom or face-to-face lessons.
Alex Tchobanov
PHILIP TOWNLEY HEAD OF SINGING It has been absolutely fantastic to see so many students back this term with the sound of music once again ďŹ lling the Music Department. Additionally, it has been wonderful to welcome new students to the Singing Department. Just how it should be!
Philip Townley
ROGER NORKIE HEAD OF STRINGS With the covid pandemic still in full swing, we had a very different start to the academic year. The String Department lost many talented students due to families returning to their home countries, but we also gained some new students from other schools in Abu Dhabi. We welcome them and look forward to them joining our ensembles, when we are allowed to rehearse again.
Roger Norkie
CLAIRE DAY HEAD OF WOODWIND Firstly I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all our new Woodwind and Flute students who have taken up ‘their’ instrument this term.
Away in a Manger - Elite Flutes
SPOTLIGHT ON A LEAVER
Why did you choose to play the ute Eva?
Do you enjoy performing for an audience?
Do you have a favourite piece that you’ve played so far?
You also play the piano - are there any other instruments you would like to learn?
Claire Day
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