Music

Music 2020-21 By Mr Robinson Director of Music

Music has felt the full force of the Covid-19 pandemic perhaps more keenly than many other areas of School life, given that the vast majority of our co-curricular activity relies on students from different year groups being able to mix with each other. The imposition of year group bubbles therefore has had a pretty devastating effect on what had been able to take place... in person, at least. However, as they say, the show must go on... and whilst it has certainly not been a ‘normal’ musical year, there have been numerous amazing achievements and some unexpected surprises here and there!

One of the most important areas of departmental life is our programme of instrumental and vocal tuition, and our thanks go to the entire team for the amazing way in which they adapted to the restrictions put in place during the periods of lockdown with lessons being delivered via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Apple FaceTime to hundreds of our students. We say goodbye and thank you to our cover flute teacher, Miss Jenna Thackray who has been with us since January, and a poignant farewell to singing teacher, Mrs Evgenia Petrenko, who moves to London with her family as her husband, Vasily, takes up the position of Music Director with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra after fifteen highly successful years as Chief Conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. We also send our best wishes and thanks to Mrs Carla Sousa and Mr David Price as they move away from the area.

We welcome to the team a new addition to the percussion staff, Mr Charlie Ashby, who covered a period of drum teaching last year, as well as new singing teacher, Mr Jon Christos. Mr Christos teaches at Trinity College, London, and is an extremely experienced and versatile performer and teacher, and Mr Ashby is an amazing drummer who has performed at the highest level all over the world and has a particular love of Samba music. Watch this space...!

Junior Royal Northern College of Music (JRNCM) We have a long history of our most able musicians spending their Saturdays studying at the Junior Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester but never before have we had three at the same time. Grace Harvey (cello and voice), Mary Cotton (voice) and Nat Ford (voice) have all been members of the junior conservatoire this past year, both in person and via Zoom, and you can read the thoughts of Grace and Nat below:

“I have spent most Saturdays of term time over the past two years at JRNCM in Manchester, where I study Cello and Voice. I leave this year, to go to university, but I have loved my time there and have made countless invaluable friendships with musicians old and young from all over the country. I would recommend auditioning for Junior Conservatoire to all aspiring musicians as there really is a whole world out there which it is easy to miss in traditional education. My only regret is not starting earlier there, so please if you are curious, take a leap of faith.” Grace (Upper Sixth).

“I have thoroughly enjoyed singing from the first lessons I took back in Year 5, and so I was delighted to receive a place at the Junior Royal School of Music in Manchester. Although Covid has had serious impacts on how we were able to practise and perform music this year, I have still been able to improve myself as a musician. Recently, as term has come to a close, I have recorded several songs with two vocal ensembles that I have been practising in throughout the year. JRNCM on a Saturday has been an uplifting event week in week out and has allowed me to flourish as a musician.” Nat (Year 10).

Above and Beyond – Student Successes In addition to the wide range of musical experiences offered in School, a growing number of our students are taking advantage of some of the amazing opportunities on offer, both regionally and nationally.

Early Music as Education (EMAE) You may have read in this publication over the past few years about the inception and expansion of the local charity, Early Music as Education, in which Birkenhead School students have played leading roles. Founder members, Dionne and Tasmin Lee, Armand Rabot, and Grace Harvey have paved the way for the next generation of young string players to work together in exciting ways with children from all over the region under the inspiring leadership of Dr Alberto Sanna. Tasmin and Grace have continued to play with the EMAE senior ensemble, the Early Music Youth Orchestra.

“A group I’ve been especially passionate about playing in has been EMAE, a baroque orchestra based in Liverpool run by Alberto Sanna. From September last year we have been able to rehearse together, which has led to a performance in December and a residency in the Scottish highlands in July. The musical highlight of my year so far, this residency was the most fulfilling end to music outside of school for me I could imagine, having been one of the first students in EMAE, when is was founded five years ago.

I would not be the same cellist I am today without them, and I wholeheartedly say I owe almost all my musical and instrumental development to them. They took a chance on me when I was just a beginner and gave me opportunities I wouldn’t have been given anywhere else, as a late starter at 14.” Grace Harvey (Upper Sixth) “To continue my musical experiences outside of school is something that is really special to me. Two years ago, I was given the opportunity to be a part of the junior ensemble at Early Music as Education, a charity that provides Merseyside students with the chance to play Baroque music authentically as part of an orchestra. This year, one to one lessons with the tutors have allowed me to develop my technical skills on the violin, learning new concepts of intonation, bow control and early stylistic playing that I can then incorporate into pieces at the weekly rehearsals. Whilst the programme this year may have been interrupted by a shift to sessions on Zoom, it has been incredible none the less, and concluded in a fantastic tour to Gairloch in Scotland in July. Here, I was given the opportunity to train with the senior Orchestra and perform in part of a concert, consisting of a programme of music by Purcell, Albinoni, William Corbett and Gregori. I am also currently applying for a place in the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Academy Orchestra.

My memories of making music both with EMAE and in school this past year have been nothing but fulfilling and immensely enjoyable, bringing positivity into what has been strange and uncertain times.” Sophia Campbell (Year 9)

“Outside of school, I’m in a programme called EMAE. We play baroque music with a variety of composers. On the 5th of July, we went on a trip to Gairloch, Scotland for a week. Being in the intermediate group, it was such an opportunity to be invited on this trip with the advanced orchestra.

In Gairloch, we went to the museum, swam in the sea on a picturesque beach and even went on a boat trip. We saw puffins, seals, sea urchins, and lots of marine wildlife, especially birds. We did the concert in the community hall, Sophia and I played for the first half, but for the second half, watching the advanced orchestra play was truly inspirational. I enjoy being part of the EMAE programme and it is so beneficial, from the musicianship sessions to the technique or playing with the orchestra. Being with EMAE has given me more knowledge with baroque music and improved my cello technique and my cello playing in general!” Storm Woodward (Year 7).

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and Choir (LPYO & LPYC) In addition to gaining her first violin diploma, continuing to play regularly with EMAE, leading the orchestra for Les Misérables, and being appointed the incoming Head of School, Tasmin Lee ARSM has also continued to lead the second violin section of the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Year 9 musician, Ben Cuthbertson, has also maintained his commitment to the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir, and you can read a little about how they have both kept very busy during the Covid-19 pandemic below:

“The past academic year has been a musically incredible and enriching one for me. Though challenging at times with numerous lockdowns and restrictions, I was fortunately able to continue with the majority of my extracurricular activities. This year marked the end of my time with the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Just one term after joining the orchestra, I was leading the 2nd violin section, an honour I’ve had for the past 3 years. A fulfilling experience, it has been a journey on which I made lifelong friends and gained a lot from. This year has also been my 4th year leading the 2nd violin section in a Baroque orchestra, Early Music As Education. We were fortunate enough to travel to Gairloch, Scotland for a week’s residency during the summer, and practised technique, musicianship and had daily orchestra rehearsals. An immensely enjoyable experience, EMAE has provided me with the opportunity to play with young, likeminded individuals, whilst developing my musical knowledge even further. Lastly, one of the greatest opportunities given to me this year was running the Birkenhead School Music

Music 2020-21 continued

Department’s Instagram account. It has been a fantastic learning experience that has combined an interest in marketing with my passion for music, and has allowed me to connect with musicians across the school community. I cannot wait for the opportunities the coming year brings!” Tasmin Lee (Lower Sixth)

“Over the past 12 months, despite the strict lockdown restrictions, music has kept me motivated throughout the year. Having been a member of the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir since Year 5, rehearsals have continued throughout the pandemic on live video calls before moving to face-to-face rehearsals after May half-term. Over the last month, I have been attending the ‘Cambiata Voices Group’ a collection of RLPYC members with changing/ changed voices, led by local composer & musician, Ian Stephens, with a focus of the transition from a treble voice to a tenor, baritone or bass range. This year’s work culminated last weekend in a performance of various numbers at our Covidfriendly sharing session, located in the great hall of the Liverpool Philharmonic. This included an adapted four-part version of Bridge Over Troubled Water, a Les Miserables medley and You Raise Me Up. Previously at LPYC, we have studied works of John Rutter, Benjamin Britten and attended other events such as the annual Spirit of Christmas concerts.” Ben Cuthbertson (Year 9)

National Ensembles We are extremely proud of two of our younger musicians, Emily Year 8 and Patrick Year 6, who have been offered places this year in two national youth music organisations: the National Youth Choirs (NYCGB) and National Children’s Orchestras (NCO).

Partrick writes: “In February I took part in an online workshop with Opera North working on the Waltz from the opera, The Merry Widow. It was run by members of the Opera North Education Department and led by members of the Orchestra of Opera North. I am really looking forward to August when I will be spending 4 days with Opera North at their Strings Academy.

I also took part in NCO Online during the summer term. This involved up to 3 online sessions a week covering lots of different activities such as improvisation, performance and even creating a soundtrack for a Wallace and Grommit scene. It included small group zoom sessions with our tutor, Matthew Lee, sub-Principal Cello with the BBC Concert Orchestra. We worked on a huge NCO multi-track piece specially commissioned for NCO Online 2021 called NCO On The Move, which premiered online on 1st July.

I am very fortunate to have a place in the EMAE programme. We have weekly rehearsals at Liverpool Parish Church playing early music using a baroque bow. Through EMAE, I have been able to continue through the lockdowns to make music with other people, something which I love.”

Emily writes: “I successfully auditioned for the National Youth Choir of Great Britain in November of last year. Normally there are two residential courses to attend each year but due to Covid restrictions, it was decided that it wouldn’t be possible to hold a residential course in the spring of this year. Instead I took part in the course remotely via Zoom.

The five day course that took place in April involved music rehearsals, vocal technique sessions, workshops with special guests, musicianship and social activities. A couple of the sessions were run by SK Shlomo who is an awardwinning singer-songwriter, beat-boxer and music producer. The guest artists also included the performer, composer and conductor Ken Burton who has worked on television programmes such as Songs Of Praise, The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent. Choirmaster, Gareth Malone, best known as presenter of the BAFTA award-winning BBC series ‘The Choir’, held a session on the Monday evening too which was really enjoyable.

I am very much looking forward to going on the summer residential course in August which takes place at Rossall School in Lancashire.”

Goodbye to our Upper Sixth The sense of loss felt as we say goodbye to our wonderful Upper Sixth form musicians happens every year, but perhaps particularly with this year’s cohort who have given such a huge amount of dedication and commitment to the musical life of the School over many years. They have been a vintage crop, and you can read the thoughts of our three outgoing A Level music students below. We thank them, together with the rest of their quite exceptional year group, for all they have done and wish them the very best for the future.

“I have found Birkenhead Music School to feel like a second home to me; a place which is open for creativity and to shelter when there are outside stresses. Due to the freedom which is given in the Sixth Form and the hours spent working in the recording studio at lunch times, the Music Department helped me find my passion for music composition and production which I will be studying at LIPA from September. I am thankful for the many opportunities it has given me and I am now really looking forward to the future.” Ben Keating

“Leaving Birkenhead School is really sad for me, my years here have truly shaped my life and allowed me to discover my love of music. I have fond memories of performing in many school concerts over the years, and of being a member of the Chapel Choir. In November 2019 I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to organise a school Jazz Night, something which provided me with experience in event planning and organisation. During the 2020 summer lockdown I started making multi-instrument videos of famous funk tunes. I have also been involved in the latest two musicals — West Side Story and Les Misérables, and this September I will begin a degree at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester where I’ve been offered a place to study composition.” Ted Ford

“Music has been such a big part of my life at School and I have so many fond memories of it going forward into my adult life. It was the Chapel Choir which was my first real involvement in School musical life. Little did I know that it would indeed form most of my life for the next nine years, having joined in Year 5. I am so thankful for both the musical enrichment that being in the Chapel Choir gave me, knowing many hymns and sacred music by heart, but also the company and friendship that it gave me, nothing as valuable as a group of friends who can be as geeky about music, especially choral, as you can. I feel so lucky to have such a strong sentimental connection to both a group of people but also the Chapel and Music School, where I spent most of my time, and I love knowing that just a visit will bring me back to all the joking in the vestry, whispering in the choir stalls and sleepy carols at the Midnight Eucharist.

When I started learning to play the cello in Year 9 I was also able to be part of the instrumental side of music at the school, playing with the orchestra, and also having the chance to join several quartets and trios. I am so thankful for this experience as nothing brings you closer to another musician than playing in a chamber ensemble with them. Many of my strong friendships were formed in this way and developed in ensembles that were both inside and outside school.

Of course, it goes without saying that my experience in the musicals at the School really formed me into the musician I am today. Meeting older students who were passionate about music made me excited about music, forming friendships with them and singing with them really establishing music as a core part of my personality and making me learn that music was something to be shared. Furthermore it was Mrs Howard, a former member of the English faculty, that urged me to start writing songs, something which gave me the confidence to develop as an artist even to this day, hoping to record my first EP this summer.

I am planning to continue my studies in cello at Durham university as well as auditioning for the university orchestra and forming a string quartet or trio. I will try and get involved in choral singing and musical theatre as much as I can, but in particular I am keen to continue writing songs and getting more into the folk scene at university, both folk cello and singing a big passion of mine.” Grace Harvey

Music 2020-21 continued

A Virtual Christmas Christmas was certainly different this year as we embraced the wonders of video editing and the Birkenhead School Music YouTube channel. Four Prep Christmas Celebration Services, a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, Christmas Concert, and finally the Christmas Eucharist on Christmas Eve kept us all exceptionally busy. Although not able to make live music, the response to the video content was remarkable, reaching a much wider audience via the internet than is ever possible through live events in Bushell Hall or Chapel.

Each year group in Junior Prep prepared the usual selection of seasonal poetry and songs, and these were recorded in Chapel and then stitched together and given a YouTube ‘premiere’ during the final week of term. Each class performed their own poem, and the pupils were spread out in the now all-too-familiar ‘diamond configuration’ to sing safely within Covid guidelines.

The Christmas Concert was another huge success, with a range of performances from a socially distanced Prep Orchestra – recorded in separate year group bubbles, the combined voices of Years 3-6 (with cello soloist), and even the entire Year 8 playing ukuleles! In addition, there were contributions from Prep soloists, the massed upper strings, Year 6 Flute Ensemble, Year 7 and 8 members of Senior Choir, Year 8 Bubble Band, Year 9 Piano Trio and Bubble Band, Year 10 Horn Ensemble, Piano Duo, and Oboe Duo, Year 11 Brass Trio and Vocal Ensemble, Sixth Form Choir, a Prep/Seniors String Duo, and a beautiful performance from Year 2 pupil, Anya Petrenko singing a Russian Christmas song with her mother! The concert finished with more from the Sixth Form Choir, the Sixth Form Saxophone Quartet (plus Henry!), a wonderful duet from Soyra Bhagwat and OB sister, Mallika, and the grand finale: staff and students from across the whole campus joining together in Sir Paul McCartney's Wonderful Christmastime! The video is still available to watch on YouTube if you missed it!

Our flagship ensemble, the Chapel Choir, was hit particularly hard by the need to keep students within year group bubbles, but that didn’t stop us from celebrating Christmas in Chapel. This year’s Nine Lessons and Carols was recorded separately in year groups, with the wonderful Sixth Form Choir taking the lead. Once they had recorded a carol, as many other years as possible recorded their voices singing in time with the Sixth Form, with these being mixed together as part of the (lengthy!) editing process. The different format this year did allow for one lovely ‘extra’ — the massed voices of Years 3-6 sang Away in a manger as Father Mark blessed the crib, together with a beautiful cello solo from Patrick MulveyFanneran.

The same format was used for the traditional Christmas Eucharist, which went ‘live’ on the Birkenhead School Music YouTube channel shortly after 11pm on Christmas Eve. One of the surprising positives to come out of the last challenging period has been the feedback from Old Birkonians and friends of the School who no longer live locally. The two main Christmas services, together with the Christmas Concert have been watched over 2,500 views on YouTube, with lovely comments being received from OBs as far away as Germany and Canada. As a direct result of this, we are having cameras and streaming technology installed in Chapel over this summer break to allow us to record, edit, and hopefully even livestream future services and events. Watch this space for further exciting developments!

Festival of Music

In these challenging times, a normal Festival of Music was impossible and so this year our celebration moved online and both students and staff were invited to submit performances which were then added to the Music YouTube channel.

We were absolutely delighted with the response, with students from Year 2 to Upper Sixth taking part, together with a terrific number of our talented team of music teachers. As a result, the festival week was extended to a fortnight, and you can still enjoy the performances by visiting the Co-curricular Music section of Firefly. Our huge thanks to all who recorded performances and made this year's festival such a wonderful success.

Sunday 8 November

On Friday 6th November, our Sixth Form Choir recorded a service of Choral Evensong for Remembrance Sunday, which was broadcast on Sunday evening. The music sung includes a brand new setting by our very own Ted Ford of Laurence Binyon's poignant words, “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.”

Monday 9 November

Monday’s staff performances were submitted by two of our visiting music tutors: piano teacher, Miss Bell and saxophone teacher, Mr Fazakerley. Miss Bell played Debussy's beautiful Arabesque No. 1, and Mr Fazakerley was the saxophone soloist in a gorgeous performance of Imagine by the Band of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment. The first student performances of the week were submitted by Ted Ford (on one of his YouTube channels), Sam Gregory, and brothers, Ralph and Alistair Burgess.

Tuesday 10 November

Two more excellent staff offerings were published on Tuesday in the form of some beautiful Corelli from Mrs Coleman and Mr Barton, and a pointer in the direction of guitar teacher, Mr Gaskell’s YouTube channel, where he posts an eclectic mix of recordings, covers, and original material.

The featured track from Mr Gaskell is based on a piece of art by Southport based artist, John Corcoran, entitled Liverpool Waterfront, and is an original composition played on a nylon strung guitar. The music is named Memories of Loch Etive and was put together on holiday one Summer whilst staying in a crofters cottage on the banks of Loch Etive, Scotland. Please do explore more of Mr Gaskell's music via his YouTube channel – well worth a visit!

In addition, there were further student performances from Sixth Form musicians, Grace Harvey and Tasmin Lee, Year 9 pianist Leo Sampson, and Year 8 vocalist Jack Vicars.

Wednesday 11 November

Our Infants music teacher, Mr Shannon, played and sang a song from The Greatest Showman, and horn teacher, Mr Gibson, performed the beautiful Nocturno by Franz Strauss.

We also had several more brave students who submitted recordings, including a selection of original tracks from Ben Keating, plus videos from Han Khoo (Year 10), Seb Richmond (Year 9), and Patrick Mulvey-Fanneran (Year 6).

Thursday 12 November

Two more staff offerings appeared on Thursday, with a beautiful performance of Eva Cassidy's version of Over the Rainbow by our violin and viola teacher, Mr Glossop, and Panis Angelicus from Mrs Keating and her daughter, Emily. You can hear much more from Mr Glossop by visiting his website and YouTube channel: https://mattglossop.com

Even more fantastic student performances came from the mighty Year 10 bubble band (!), Gene (Year 5) & Miles (Year 3) Coleman, and Anthony MulveyFanneran (Year 4).

Friday 13 November

Our Friday playlist began with a couple of duets from Year 11 trumpeter, Tom Molloy, and his teacher, Miss Baker, and was followed by Soyra Bhagwat (Lower Sixth), who sent in a beautiful video of her singing Fauré’s Clair de Lune (not the more famous Debussy piano piece of the same name), with Mrs Petrenko playing piano. Sophia Campbell (Year 9) sent in a terrific performance, and Grace Harvey and Ted Ford had already submitted videos earlier in the week in other musical styles, but showed their versatility by sending in yet more!

With the week coming to a close, we had two compilation videos of yet more students who managed to get performances recorded and sent in. Performances were by Olivia Parfect (Year 7), Alice Khoo (Year 7), Han Khoo (Year 10), Jemima Blair (Year 7), Ava Noor (Year 8), and Jack Vicars (Year 8), Anya Petrenko (Year 2, and the youngest performer of the week!), Holly (Year 6), Samuel (Year 3), Alice Jones (Year 3), Thomas Huxley (Year 5), and Jake Thistlewood (Year 4).

And finally... a light-hearted end to a busy week came from Mr Robinson, with a little something he felt inspired to write when (at a time without Lockdown!) he spotted an inquisitive badger whilst on holiday in the Lake District!

Music 2020-21 continued

Festival Extra! Though the original plan was for a week of performances, the recordings just kept coming in, and so the following week started with flute teacher, Mrs Sousa, playing a piece called Sunstreams by Ian Clarke. There were further staff performances from cello teacher, Mrs Dennerly, and three more songs from Mr Shannon.

Our last student submissions began with our Sixth Form Saxophone Quartet, playing Ain't misbehavin', followed by lyrical piano playing by Head of School, Lizzy Hyatt. The very last word went to our wonderful Prep pupils, with a compilation of fantastic performances sent in by Hannah Washington (Year 4), Eliza Robertson (Year 2), Nathaniel Glascott-Tull (Year 5), Scarlett Lloyd (Year 6), Cayden Barker (Year 4), Lloyd Owen-Jones (Year 6), Imogen Holmes (Year 6), Anthony Mulvey-Fanneran (Year 4), and Patrick Mulvey-Fanneran (Year 6). Individual achievements The Chapel Choir Prefect for the next academic year is Mary Cotton, Co-Cantors will be Soyra Bhagwat and Samuel Jones, and Librarian is Natasha Keeling. The new Senior Musicians, awarded to our leading Upper Sixth form musicians, are Soyra Bhagwat (voice), Tasmin Lee (strings), Natasha Keeling (brass) and Edward Wells (woodwind). They will help to lead the rebuilding of the co-curricular programme in September.

Exam update This year’s high flyers, reaching the heights of Grade 8, are Grace Harvey (cello, with Distinction), Simon Lawrence (flute), David Turner (tenor saxophone), Beth Hitchen (pop vocals), and Sam Gregory Y10 (oboe). Sam’s achievement, with Distinction, was also his second Grade 8 after he passed his Grade 8 piano two years ago! Going even further were Elizabeth Hyatt (piano) and Tasmin Lee (violin), both of whom gained their ARSM Diploma and with it the elusive Full Colours in Music with Distinction. Congratulations to all students who passed exams this year.

Alumni news Our congratulations to Alexander Van Ingen OB who, after three years as Chief Executive of leading baroque orchestra, the Academy of Ancient Music, took over as Chief Executive of the London-based Philharmonia Orchestra in September 2020. Prior to his work in Cambridge with AAM he was an Executive Producer and A&R lead at Decca Classics for five years, working with artists including Daniel Barenboim, Nicola Benedetti, Janine Jansen and Leonidas Kavakos.

After originally being offered a place to study composition, Armand Rabot OB is currently a second-year undergraduate vocal student at the Royal Northern College of Music studying under Quentin Hayes. Armand recently won the prestigious Junior Kathleen Ferrier Bursary award and last summer was highly commended in the Elsie Thurston Prize. He has also recently won the Charles Wood Junior Song Competition and the Junior Charles Wood Song Prize and placed second in the inaugural Flat Pack Music Opera Competition.

Finally, it is with immense sadness that we report the death of Sir Graham Vick CBE OB, who passed away from Covid-19 complications on 17 July 2021. Sir Graham was the Artistic Director of Birmingham Opera Company, and had worked extensively in the world’s major opera houses with the world’s leading conductors, including Muti, Levine, Haitink, Gergiev, Runnicles, Ozawa and Mehta. After receiving his CBE some years ago he was knighted in the 2021 New Year’s Honours list. Some further interesting background from the Old Birkonian Society:

“Graham entered Birkenhead School from Well Lane Primary. He studied singing and conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester but dropped out of the course after two years although in later years he returned and held an international chair in opera. He joined Scottish Opera to run their Opera Go Round offshoot taking small scale performances to remote parts of the country before being appointed Director of Operations in 1984 for three years. Following his vision of connecting opera with the community he co-founded the City of Birmingham Touring Opera which eventually became the Birmingham Opera Company. In 1994 he joined Glyndebourne leaving in 2000. Outside Britain he directed at the Metropolitan Opera, New York, but he mainly enjoyed working in Italy including La Scala, Milan. He was fluent in Italian.

He has been described as a brilliant but provocative opera director who took the art form into uncharted territory. He was knighted in the 2021 New Year’s Honours’ List.”

Did you know that the Music Department is on Social Media?

You can follow them on YouTube: /BSMusicSchool You can follow them on Facebook: /birkenheadschoolmusic You can follow them on Instagram: birkenheadschoolmusic You can follow them on Twitter: @BSMusicSchool