Autumn term 2015: the Brambletye way

With sincere apologies to Frank Sinatra......

Please take a minute to look at the finale of the Charity Concert: https://vimeo.com/148597683

 

And now the end is near     So I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear     I'll state my case of which I'm certain

This term, we've done it all    Performances across the board

And more, much more that this,     we did it our way.

Concerts, we had a few    but then again, too few to mention. 

We sung, we played and hummed,    and even used some old kazoos too. 

Each group, they did us proud,    and performed so well, by working hard. 

Oh, and more, much more than this.    we did it our way. 

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew   When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all when there was doubt   You rallied round and helped me out. 

We faced it all and we stood tall (!)   and did it our way. 

I've yelled, I've laughed and cried,   we've worked on scales and subtle bowing. 

We've tried to make it sound  more musical, not like cattle lowing. 

We've tuned and tuned some more   to make it sound far more pleasing. 

It worked! Well done to you!   You make my job so very easy.

And 'Angels' was great, it was so swell,   you made me smile, oh, and cry as well. 

The sound was fab, you did me proud,  you sang so well, and oh, so loud! 

We raised so much for our charity  and did it our way.

And now to St Swithun's   you were all so great, and did the school proud.
Rosie - you sang in tune, were musical   and brought the house down.
Pauline; you were a star! A beautiful sound,   diction and vowel sounds.
And Ben, such great playing;   you did it your way. 

The Juniors sang so sweet,   and musical, what great musicians. 

The Seniors did their part and learned their words  without much moaning. 

Their songs were fabulous and they behaved impeccably

To say thank you to them,   we're off to Thorpe Park (in May). 

 

This term has been such a triumph,   it's been a success and not too arduous.
We've had some fun and such a laugh,  the children have worked so jolly hard.
It's been a hoot, I feel so proud. We did it our way!

SAMBA!

Year 5 have started to learn about Samba music, the pulsating and exciting syncopated rhythms from Brazil! Here are some pictures from their first foray into group work on this wonderful music from Latin America!

Junior Orchestra - week 2!

Look what we have got!!! A whole new orchestra of enthusiastic players, the majority of whom have just joined us from the pre prep! It is truly wonderful and I am so excited about the prospects of these wonderful new players. I think that it is safe to say that the music department is in good hands...!

Welcome back!

Welcome back everybody! We've had a terrific start in the music department and even Year 8 have caught the singing bug, by learning new hymns for Sunday's Evensong. Pre prep have started working on material for their forthcoming harvest festival and Year 3 have knocked me sideways by learning a song for the charity concert already!
Our new music teacher, Colin Hughes has made his presence felt and the department seems as enthusiastic and buzzy as it was previously. It bodes well for continued high standards in the music department.
Looking ahead...dates for your diaries:  27th November, which are the Charity Concerts and 12th December, which is the Carol Service at St Swithun's.

Music Colours

Nothing like an end of term concert to focus the mind somewhat on our extraordinary bunch of musicians we have here at Brambletye.
This morning in assembly, Mr Westlake gave out Junior Music Colours to the following terrific musicians, all of whom are in Years 3 - 6:

Julia, Georgia, Florence, Arthur, Emma, Kit, Daisy, Tess, Ella, William, Rosie and Marnie.

Senior music colours were also awarded to a Yr 6 and Yr 5 pupil for their outstanding contribution to the music department:
Matthew and Savannah.

Well done to all of our talented and musical children.

100% AB success!

Well done to everyone who took AB music exams here at Brambletye last week! Yes..only taken last week and the results and certificates are already through! An amazing set of results with 7 distinctions and 12 merits! I am so pleased and proud of you all. Now to get cracking for the next exam day in December!

A typical Thursday's rehearsals at Brambletye!

Junior Chapel Choir rehearsing for a Chapel Service to be held on 21st June and also a performance at the Summer Concert on 26th June:

Then followed a Concert Band rehearsal preparing for its last performance on 26th June under Jo Westlake:

Oboes and clarinets

The percussion section rockin' it!

Jo Westlake, Assoc. Director of Music

Cheeky trumpet section selfie...minus Arthur......

Cello demo for Year 4

Felix Buser, one of our 'cello teachers giving 4B an excellent demonstration on the 'cello

4B thanking Mr Buser for his demonstration

Oboe trials

Year 3 have all had a very short trial lesson on the oboe, by our visiting music teacher, Helen Pye. Helen played a selection of pieces such as the theme from Harry Potter and the 'Hovis' them from Dvorak's New World symphony so that the children could hear the amazing range and versatility of this double reed instrument. Then they all took turns to have a go at making a sound. Some of the children were naturals and have been invited to have an extended session with Helen later on this term. The oboe is found in orchestras, wind bands as well as having a huge repertoire of chamber music available to it. It is also highly attractive to secondary schools as few children play it. If you are interested in finding out more about your child having oboe lessons at Brambletye with Helen Pye, then please do contact me. Here are just a small selection of the children having their trial lessons.

 

Internal music scholarship

Internal Music Scholarship Awarded

 

Many congratulations to Matthew for being awarded an Internal Music Scholarship at Brambletye!

Matthew recently passed his Grade 5 piano with a merit: in addition he also passed Grade 5 theory with a merit! AND he is only in Year 5! Clearly 5 is a favourite number of his!

 

For more information about our internal music scholarships, please contact Peta Andrews, the Director of Music, on 01342 321004 ext 245 or email: pandrews@brambletye.com

 

 

OLIVER!

As I sit here in my kitchen...enjoying the tranquility and slightly more leisurely pace than a normal Friday morning at Brambles.....I find myself listening to the soundtrack from Oliver! I know, I know....how sad is that? But it helps to continue the dream, which has been the last couple of terms. The seniors worked so hard on this show...and I sincerely hope that they all benefitted from the experience. Most of them this week have appeared slightly bereft and experiencing 'cold turkey'following an incredible journey. When I started rehearsing the songs in September, it seemed an age away for them but as the weeks rolled on and it became nearer and nearer the enormity of what was expected became a reality. In essence though, they were fabulous..every single one of them delivered and the performance on Saturday night was just one of the most amazing experiences of my career. Thank you to all of them for making it a night to remember. I hope that they will treasure the memories for many years to come!
Just a few snapshots....unashamedly proud of all of the children, cast and crew. HUGE thanks for a great week!

Mrs A and Mr Brownlow (Tom)

Mrs A and the Artful Dodger (Archie)

Mrs A and Oliver (Oscar)

Mrs A and Mr Sowerberry (Aaron)

Mrs A and Mrs Bedwin (Imogen)

Bill Sykes (Will), Mrs A, Widow Corney (Ellie) and Mrs Bedwin (Imo)

Mrs A and Miles (Fagin's gang / workhouse boy)

Mrs A, Mrs Sowerberry (Lily) and Charlotte (Kitty) 

Mrs A and Bill Sykes (Will) 

Mrs A and Fagin (Tom)

AWARDS!

Congratulations to the following children for their awards at the end of term prize giving. They have all worked so hard and thoroughly deserve their accolades.

Junior Progress in Music:

• Anna
• Christopher
• Julia

Middle Progress in Music:

• Florence
• Kit

Senior Progress in Music:

• Alicia
• Lily
• Tom

Double Day Chapel Cup:

• Aaron
• Imogen

Most promising newcomer to the Music department:

• Daisy

Well done to all of them!

Running for Brazil

Dear all.
Lila Dixon (parent) and our own colleague Dave Holden are both running marathons in order to raise money for the school's chosen charity, the SOS Children's Village / Brazil. To even contemplate running is beyond me...let alone running 26 miles!!! They are amazing and also so generous of spirit.
Please...if you can.....do sponsor them.

Their details are as follows: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LilaDixonBrazil

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=DavidHolden61&faId=531267&isTeam=true

Every donation counts....however small....so thank you in advance.

Internal Music Scholarship Success

What a week for the music department! Not only has Thomas secured an Exhibition to Cranleigh, but Monet has now also achieved a Music Scholarship to Benenden, alongside her award to King's!
In addition, Brambletye has now implemented an Internal Music Scholarship award to children achieving Grade 5 on either an instrument or singing, where they are taught by one of own many fine visiting music teachers. An innovative and encouraging move, I think that you'll agree.(Please do see me if you would like any further information on this award.)
In assembly this morning, three children have now been awarded their internal music scholarship awards: Thomas (clarinet), Monet (piano and violin) and Savannah (piano).
Well done to them all.

Music scholarship successes

CONGRATULATIONS to Monet for her Music Scholarship to King's Canterbury and to Thomas for his Music Exhibition to Cranleigh.They have worked so hard and thoroughly deserved their successes. Well done to them and thank you to all of the music teachers involved: Sarah Price, Bill McEwen, Jo Westlake, Andrew Thurgood and Jane Panayai.

Not a music tale....but a 'tail'....with a happy ending....

Delighted to report that 'Salt' (formerly known as 'the cat, living in the Brambletye grounds') has now been returned to her rightful owner in Lingfield!
Congratulations to Harry, Oliver, Alex, Alec and Aran for catching her safely and being so resourceful in finding an appropriate container in which to transport her. She was taken to a local vet who confirmed that Salt had a microchip and from that was able to contact Salt's owner, who was thrilled to be reunited with her.
A very happy ending to this 'tail'.....!

Bramble Jam

Thought that you might like to see a small snippet of one of the 5.10pm activity groups in rehearsal....be warned....no cooking involved.....!

VERY LOUD SESSION

A chamber concert this Saturday and under 5 weeks until the show (ARRGH!) and yet still the music department keep thumping out great lessons and activities.
Yr 5 are working on a renassaiance piece with differentiated parts, Yr 4 are composing ostinati using unpitched instruments and with only a map of the London underground to help them (yes really) and Year 3 have been continuing their lessons on instruments of the orchestra with a lesson on the drumkit. It was very loud.... but great fun!

Sadly blogger is still not allowing me to upload photos...such a shame as they have all had great fun in lessons over the last couple of weeks.

Buzzing Brass!

Happy New Year to you all.
The new term has started apace...with ensemble rehearsals, music lessons and play rehearsals already in full swing. 'Oliver' is going to be just fab....make sure that you save the dates in your diaries! You do not want to miss out on this, trust me!

Year 3's music lessons yesterday concentrated on the brass family of the orchestra - not that I am biased in any way at all...but it is one of the best sections in the orchesta. In Year 3 a number of children already learn brass instruments, which really helped our class sessions yesterday: we have Edward on the baritone, Josh on the tenor horn and Eliza on the cornet. All three of them are in Brax and attend for rehearsals regularly. We had a lot of fun yesterday.....! And hopefully the children learnt something too!

NB: sadly I have been unable to upload any of the photos, which I took during the lessons....but some are on the boards in the theatre foyer entrance.