18 September, 2020 News from NLCS Jeju
North London Collegiate School Jeju
WELCOME TO OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER Dear Parents, Students, Staff and Friends of NLCS Jeju “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.� Plato CLASSICAL GREEK PHILOSOPHER, MATHEMATICIAN
At NLCS Jeju music plays a central role in the life of the school. All Students up to the end of Year 9 have music lessons as part of the curriculum and often way beyond that as we have students who go on to choose and study Music at iGCSE and also in their IB Diploma Programme. But music plays a much bigger part than that, indeed it is in the soul of NLCS Jeju as so many students have music lessons with the peripatetic teachers. They learn to play a huge variety of instruments and then come together in ensembles, orchestra, bands, choirs and so forth as parts of the many CCAs and Bryant activities on offer. When I am in boarding houses I see many students practising in the individual music rooms found in each House or together in the House social areas. Our students communicate through music, and gain so much pleasure from music.
It is increasingly recognised that music helps us with overcoming stressful situations and enables all of us to relax better. Research has a l s o shown that music enhances our cognitive abilities, including language based reasoning, short term memory and planning. I wish you many hours of playing, listening to and enjoying music this weekend and always. Yours sincerely, Lynne Oldfield Principal
North London Collegiate School Jeju
MUSIC SPECIAL
STUDENTS
In the first of our department specials we shine a light on Music at NLCS Jeju. A big thank you to Mr John Herbison for all his help in producing this and to all the students and teachers who gave up their time for interviews and photoshoots!
Alice Oh Alice Oh, Year 12 student has had amazing news in her recent ABRSM Diploma. Beyond the heights of a Grade 8, she received a Distinction in her Diploma with her violin performance. Alice was presented with her Certificate in Monday’s Assembly. She has just been appointed as Leader of the Symphony Orchestra. Alice is an inspiration to the musicians in School including many who work assiduously through the ABRSM system. She tells us “ I’ve played the violin since I was six years old and it is an integral part of my life. I feel such emotions when I play and I am so happy to share these with my audience. I am not sure what I will do in the future and right now I am focusing on academics - but whatever I choose music will always be important to me. “ It’s very worthwhile to work hard in these exams as a Grade 8 Distinction counts for 30 UCAS points or is equivalent to an IB SL qualification! Please talk to Ms BoEun Kim for more details.
North London Collegiate School Jeju
MUSIC SPECIAL
STUDENTS
Na Young Son Whenever we look for someone who is dedicated to music a few names always pop up and we wish we could highlight them all! Na Young Son in Year 13 can be found at the heart of many of our performances and concerts in School. She has been a boarder here for six years - starting in Mulchat and now in Halla. Na Young cites boarding as facilitating her passion and her ability at all things musical. Na Young started piano at an early age - inspired by her mum - and has always been a singer. While she loves her classical repertoire pop has always enthralled her, too. She loves to sing and play and especially is in demand as an accompanist and playing in the orchestra or band for musicals such as Moby Dick and Dear Evan Hansen. She plays the piano, sings and composes and also wants to learn bass or guitar. After achieving the best marks in Korea at her Music IGCSE she is now studying Music as part of her IBDP. “ Doing Higher Level Music allows me to have even more of an excuse to love Music,” she says… I urge other students to take the opportunities that are offered to you here in School. Have the openness of diversity! Have the confidence to break from the norm. Even if there are obstacles - we can overcome them.” Na Young is currently listening to Jacob Collier - Sleeping on My Dreams. She loves this British singer as he takes a complex musical theory and makes it popular and accessible.
MUSIC SPECIAL
STUDENTS
North London Collegiate School Jeju
Mozart Competition Winners Our school has done very well in the recent 2020 Mozart Competition in Jeju. Students showed their unique style and attention to detail. Given how young these students are these results are very impressive. Their cello teacher, Ms SoJung Lee is one of many talented performers, composers and teachers who inspire our children daily. Well done Jejun Son, Sehyun Lee and Garam Son. We can’t wait to hear you play in School.
They all won in different categories 1st Prize (Category Pre-School) Jejun Son NLCS Year 2 https://youtu.be/6MGhFBU87Hc
1st Prize (Category Junior Department Y1-Y2) Sehyun Lee NLCS Year 3 (Highest Scorer) https://youtu.be/NPGYneSK04w
1st Prize (Category Junior Department Y3-Y4) Garam Son NLCS Year 4 https://youtu.be/FJ2PC-TA26A
Sehyun Lee
MUSIC SPECIAL
Jejun Son
STUDENTS
North London Collegiate School Jeju
Garam Son
North London Collegiate School Jeju
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STUDENTS
Oscar (Dabin) Kim Well done to Year 7 student, Dabin (Oscar ) Kim who has taken Third Prize for his violin playing in a National music competition - Jeju heat. He tells us that the Third Prize is very special as no First and second was awarded in this round. Oscar was keen to compete as so many competitions have been cancelled in the last few months and this was an opportunity not to pass up. He played his favourite piece - Symphony Espagnole by Lalo. Oscar is already studying for his ABRSM Grade 6 having passed his Grade 5 with a Merit.
Philharmonic Goes West
North London Collegiate School Jeju
MUSIC SPECIAL
STUDENTS
On Tuesdays, the 70 strong Philharmonic Orchestra meets in the Recital Room under the direction of Assistant Conductor Jun Choi - Year 12. He is directing this talented group in a special Western and Film odyssey including Shallow from A Star is Born - Magnificent Seven - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, etc. They are currently looking for vocalists - so if you want to follow in Lady Gaga’s footsteps contact Mr. John Herbison or Ms. Chan Mi Joo
Musical Alumni Nicholas Park - Class of 2017 and Cambridge - First Violin in the Cambridge University Orchestra Steven Seo - Class of 2014 and Berklee Alumni - Freelance Jazz Musician in Seoul Matt Kim Class of 2015 and Berklee Alumni - Freelance drummer Min Sung - Class of 2015 and Berklee Alumni - Korean Army Band Guitarist
MUSIC SPECIAL
Meet The Teacher
North London Collegiate School Jeju
Harry Thorrington The attraction of NLCS Jeju is a strong one - and this year we are delighted to welcome back Music teacher, Mr. Harry Thorrington. A graduate of Magdalen College, Oxford, Harry taught here from 2013 - 2018 and cherishes the memories of his time here. He left us to undertake extensive PD (Professional Development) by studying for his Masters in Belgium and then moving to Dakkar, Bangladesh on a scholarship to study the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There he studied issues such as education for all and gender equality. He feels his eyes were opened to the real world. He had a chance to reflect on all he had done and all he wanted to do in future. After his studies were brought to an abrupt halt by the COVID-19 outbreak and he took the last commercial flight out, Harry felt it was fate that an opportunity arose back at NLCS Jeju. His priorities are to show that Music is wider than just a curriculum subject. Music is part of life - especially in Korea where it is truly part of the cultural profile of the whole nation. Harry says “The Three Pillars of NLCS Jeju are what attract me. Enrichment is central to the whole School.There is a true love for learning itself. There are many things that we do here at NLCS Jeju which are not done elsewhere - we have recitals and lectures and musical assemblies. There is so much opportunity. “ This year Harry aims to truly demonstrate that music is more than just “dead white men!” This Christmas the Symphony Orchestra will perform a piece by a female composer, Ms Vivian Fine - and Harry hopes to do more of the unexpected. Harry is listening to - Steve Reich - an acknowledged leader of Minimalism in Music
MUSIC SPECIAL
Meet The Teacher
North London Collegiate School Jeju
Cristyn Draper
Our new Junior School Head of Music, Ms. Cristyn Draper joined us last month and is already making a big impact on both curricular and non curricular Music. Cristyn has a fascinating background. Originally from Wales, her family is very musical - her uncle is a famous choirmaster - and she took up the harp aged 7 and has been playing ever since. Her degree at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama is in Harp Performance and she followed this up with a Masters at Trinity College, London. The next step was a decade of performing - from being onstage at the House of Lords and Westminster Abbey to weddings and other events. After a tour of schools with a theatre company Cristyn saw the power that Music had in the classroom and wanted to share her love of Music and performing with children. Previously she has lived and taught in New York, Dubai, Hong Kong and Thailand and feels very lucky to have had such experiences. Her move to Korea was inspired by the prestige of NLCS Jeju and the knowledge of the cultural value placed on Music by Korea and Koreans. Her vision is to have every Junior school child love Music - in whichever way works for them. She says to all of her students - “Think big! Think outside of the box. Music should be visible and inclusive and not necessarily traditional. Music is so important for wellbeing - let it help and inspire you.” She urges all parents to support their children’s musical ambitions - as Music has a positive effect on the brain and the ability to study in many other areas. Ms. Draper’s Top Tips Listen to music every day, from as many varied styles as possible. Try to create your own music for fun, just like you would create a drawing or a poem. Don’t worry about creating something ‘good’ - just explore. To make practice more fun, try playing your piece back-to-front, from the last line to the first line. Ms. Draper is currently listening to Toumani Diabaté, A Kora (African Harp) player from Mali, since I am teaching African Music to Year 3 and find his playing so captivating. Moana Soundtrack - my children ask to listen to it every morning! Une Châtelaine en sa tour, Op. 110 (for Harp) by Gabriel Fauré - the next piece on my list to learn to play on the harp, by one of my favourite composers.
MUSIC SPECIAL
North London Collegiate School Jeju
New Musical Opportunities We are always adding to the Musical offering around School.This term some of the new and refreshed opportunities include the new Junior School World Percussion Ensemble led by Laz Rodriguez who is from Texas, US but based in Jeju City! Sign up for this exciting CCA - contact Ms. Draper. We also have a Senior School Rock Band CCA led by Mr. Cho. He is a legend amongst his students - all our aspiring guitarists and bassists study with him - and this will be fun for all involved. Finally, we have the new NLCS Choir led by the lovely Ms. Joo. The choir is open to all from Years 7 to 13. Teachers are also welcome and the repertoire is extensive and varied - including traditional and modern. They practise on a Tuesday from 16.20-17.20
Ellington Studio Have you visited the Ellington Studio yet? Named after Duke Ellington this is a new addition to the extensive Senior School Music department. We are making a big investment and lots of great new equipment is being ordered. It will be used for exam classes - IGCSE and IB and Music Technology classes with Mr. Cho. KS3 students will also benefit from it in the near future‌ Last term we produced an amazing ensemble performance of Sunny. Watch it HERE and why not take part in the next offering. Rumour has it Lionel Ritchie will be involved!
MUSIC SPECIAL
North London Collegiate School Jeju
Alice In Wonderland - Musical Production We are excited to announce that the school musical production this year is Alice in Wonderland. There is a fabulous team of talented teachers working on the project this year from all areas of the Performing Arts. Mr. James Hamilton-Scott from the Drama department is directing the show and he will be joined by two Musical Directors in Mr. Harry Thorrington and Ms. Katie De Carteret. Ms. Paula Johnson from Dance is leading the choreography. The students have already auditioned and there is a cast of almost 60 performers from Year 7 to Year 13. But the collaboration doesn’t stop there. Mr. Ian Peirson, our Head of Drama, is leading a group of students in design and costume and Mr. Dex Masrey is forming a tech team. This is truly a whole School effort! Rehearsals are underway during CCA and Bryant time and the students are currently having a lot of fun creating the rabbit hole that Alice falls down and learning the first song. We are still casting lead characters - it is, as always, such a difficult task considering the wealth of talent we have here at NLCS Jeju. Stay tuned for more information and promotional material for the performance. We can’t wait to hear more about this amazing production. Dates - Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 March at 19.30
MUSIC SPECIAL
North London Collegiate School Jeju
Music on the Curriculum There are many ways you can access Music at NLCS Jeju. Within the curriculum, the Junior School and Senior School Years 7-9 offer weekly Music lessons where you explore a variety of topics such as Voice, Pop Music, Latin, The Blues, Film Music, Minimalism and so much more! In Years 10 -11 students can opt for IGCSE Music. This involves a deeper understanding of all forms of western and World Music as well as a chance to compose and perform. It mixes 60% practical and 40% listening and understanding. Last year an NLCS Jeju student gained the highest score in Korea.
MUSIC SPECIAL
North London Collegiate School Jeju
Peripatetic Music Lessons Our 24 teachers are waiting to help all students of all ages and staff take their next steps towards success. They teach all instruments as well as Music Technology and Music Theory. Sign Up is termly. Mr. Herbison shares details well in advance. Lessons are very popular so be sure to sign up in advance!
MUSIC SPECIAL CCA - Drumline
North London Collegiate School Jeju
Introduced last term, we have 17 students taking advantage of our brand new System Blue kit. System Blue recently performed with BTS at New York Central Station. They are looking forward to their first live performance at the Winter Concert.
MUSIC SPECIAL CCA - Drumline
North London Collegiate School Jeju
MUSIC SPECIAL
North London Collegiate School Jeju
Important Dates for the Diary There are always lots of musical performances coming up. It’s hard for us not to be able to invite parents in to support the students - but anything that we need to keep within the school community only we will Livestream and share. Some key ones over the next few months are The Magic Flute - Year 8 Opera - Plus Presto Strings and Special Guests - November 13 Winter Concert - December 4 AND… Don’t forget Sonitas Busking - on September 23 at breaktime and/or lunchtime they’ll be popping up in the Boys School!
Musical Baby Congratulations to Head of Music - Ms. Mindy Ruskovich and Mr. John Gilbertson (Head of Science - Junior School) who have welcomed the beautiful Ivy Irene into their world. Born on September 1, she weighed 4.01kg and arrived along with a typhoon! We look forward to seeing her follow in her mother’s musical footsteps!
MUSIC SPECIAL
North London Collegiate School Jeju
LECTURES Mr. Neil Tamlyn has organised a series of Wednesday morning Sejong lectures as part of our academic enrichment programme.Throughout the year every subject has a special week to present the finer details and wider thoughts of their department. These are to inspire the students and support applications to elite universities around the world. Our students are renowned for thinking broadly and these staffled lectures are always well received. We welcome students’ participation and Societies have already contributed. See link HERE to the programme Last week saw the Music department present on such diverse subjects as the History of Music in Wales by Ms. Cristyn Draper and the Medieval Background to Twentieth Century Music by Mr. Harry Thorrington.
North London Collegiate School Jeju
TowerAid - Mufti Days Our first Mufti Day of the School year will be held on Friday September 25. Please bring in 2,000 KRW and wear your own clothes for a great cause! Mufti Day coordinator, Clara Kim explains why Mufti Days are so important and why 2,000 KRW is a small price to pay! “It’s a perfect way to raise money as a foundation for doing good throughout the School year. It’s an affordable price and every single penny is money well spent as we support several diverse, great causes nominated by students. In a year like 2020 doing the right thing is even more important. Wear your own clothes, donate this small fee and consider donating your time and energy, too, next time. Please make the right choice next Friday.”
LITERATURE IS FUN English Crime Writer , Agatha Christie, is one of the world’s most popular writers. Her novels are often used by English language learners to become more fluent. But did you know - Agatha Christie is the best selling author of all time! - Her books have been translated into over 100 languages - Agatha Christie became a real life mystery when she disappeared in 1925 - She was born in 1890 - Her best selling novel is And Then There Were None about a string of mysterious deaths at an island house party - Her play The Mousetrap holds the record for the most continuous performances in London’s West End - more than 26,000 since 1952 - Her two most famous detectives are Miss Jane Marple and M. Hercule Poirot - both are amongst the most played characters on screen
North London Collegiate School Jeju
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AMAZING PICTURES Rachel Donaldson, Art teacher shared this pic of her Outdoor Drawing and Painting Bryant. It’s definitely our winner for picture of the week! Follow Us! Don’t forget that you can follow us on social media and see more stories daily. Just click on the links below.
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North London Collegiate School Jeju