Message from the Director of Music

A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

As I was preparing our final Music Staff Team Meeting of the year, I thought I would close it by saying ‘let’s hope for a better year next year’, but somehow that didn’t seem quite right. It soon dawned on me that, in actual fact, we have had an amazing year full of imagination, flair, adaptability and ultimately, many musical successes.

This Newsletter will focus on some of the many highlights that have taken place this term despite the challenges of all the various learning models to which we, and of course ‘ the students, have had to adapt. As you will see from some of the photos, the ever-changing circumstances have certainly had an affect on people’s sanity and it seems that some students have taken drastic measures to ensure they maintain their practice routines!

Throughout the year more and more students have elected to sit the online ABRSM and Trinity exams which have been designed to replace the examiner visits whilst travel remains restricted. Ranging from Initial Grades up to Grade 8 the exams have to be recorded in one take and then submitted online to the examination board. At the time of writing, around 40 students have received their results and a staggering 80% of these have been Merits or Distinctions. This is a phenomenal achievement for our students, and of course their inspirational teachers. Last week I also had the privilege of hosting our Internal Exams for those who preferred to have a face-to-face exam. I was bowled over by the standard of performance and I hope that the feedback given to those students proves to be beneficial for their long-term progress.

However it hasn’t only been the practical exams that have had to move online this year. The Theory exams have also been adapted to the current climate and are now hosted via specially-designed software. My thanks and congratulations go to Mrs Willson who has led the delivery of Theory lessons via Zoom and then invigilated the 5 exams that have taken place. This has been something new for everyone involved and will no doubt continue to develop in the future.

Earlier in the term we had a bumper number of students audition to become part of the Music Scholars Programme from September. With the gradual reintroduction of co-curricular activities which will hopefully take place next year, we thought it appropriate to relaunch the scheme after the enforced hiatus of the past 18 months or so. I am delighted that 25 students will join the 14 who are already on the Programme and we look forward to providing a range of new opportunities designed to stretch and challenge them as well as broaden their musical horizons.

We have continued to provide a wealth of opportunities for students to submit online performances to be included in Virtual Concerts, and I am delighted that no fewer than 10 concerts are released with this Newsletter. This is an exceptional achievement, particularly in a term which has been stop-start and where many students have been more focused on their academic studies, or have taken vital assessments and/or school exams. To also collaborate with the Drama Department in a Summer Showcase was awe-inspiring and brought home to me just how vital the Arts subjects are. I was very close to tears when we first rehearsed the band and I know that some of those involved in the brilliant Unplugged shared that feeling too. The breadth of provision at BSAK really is first-class and I am full of admiration for the students and staff; the staff provide the opportunities but the way in which the students not only accept, but throw their hearts and souls into them, is just wonderful to witness.

As ever as we approach the end of the school year, we have to say goodbye to students and colleagues. I would like to thank and pay tribute to all the children and young adults who are leaving for pastures new. Thank you for contributing so much to the musical life at BSAK and we wish you well for the future - please stay in touch!

Philip Townley, our dynamic Head of Singing is also sadly leaving us after two years. Having not lived in the UK for several years, he has decided it is time to move closer to family and friends back home. Phil has been a fantastic singer teacher and Head of Singing during his time with us and it is such a shame that he wasn’t able to build further on the fantastic choral work that had begun to take place pre-Covid. One of the many highlights of his short time with us was the incredible collaboration with the Al Khubairat Singers and String Orchestra in performing Schubert’s Mass in G, both in a concert setting but later, as part of a church service for which the music was originally composed. We will certainly miss his caring, warm approach and we wish him (and his beloved Ipswich Town FC) all the very best of luck for the future.

Returning to my opening statement and the wish for a ‘better’ year next year, I decided to settle upon a desire for a ‘less challenging year’ in which we can hopefully re-establish many of the activities that we all enjoy and that make our job as teachers so pleasurable. As ever I would like to thank all our incredible students, you as parents, our colleagues across both Primary and Secondary schools, the academic music teachers Sascha, Claire and Sarah and our amazing instrumental team, of whom there are simply too many to mention individually. My final word of thanks goes to Karen, our administrator, who does so much work behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of the department. Have a great summer and we hope to see you back safe and sound in September.

Rob Hall

Director of Music