Bournville Junior School
Music News
Choir
Year 3/4 choir is continuing on Monday lunchtimes and numbers are healthy. We are currently learning a number of songs, one of which we hope to perform in assembly shortly after half term.
The year 4, 5, and 6 Choir, is flourishing. The children are getting to grips with some harmony in our Mary Poppins Medley and coming up with some great ideas for actions. We will be concentrating on our music for the St George’s Association Competition after half term, as well as introducing the songs we have to learn for our CBSO project.
Choir will finish at 4.30 p.m. on Fridays, unless we feel that we need more time. We will of course let you know of any changes.
CBSO Project
Last Monday, Choir members in years 4, 5 and 6, attended a workshop run by Matt Beckingham from the CBSO and author Mandy Ross. This was the first of a series of workshops in this project.
Led by Mandy, the children were asked to write poems and thoughts around the theme of a dove. She actually bought in a dove, for the children to observe! The children worked mainly in pairs and their ideas were collated by Mandy and will form the basis of the lyrics for a song which the children will write.
The children really seemed to enjoy the experience and came up with some wonderful ideas and images.
Orchestra
This continues on Friday lunchtimes 12.40-1.30 p.m. in the Old Library. Mark and Helen are running sectional rehearsals for a while and both are impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication of the children. Last Friday’s rehearsal was for full orchestra and we were delighted to be joined by our Year 3 cellists – we hope you enjoyed your first experience of playing in an orchestra.
Music Lessons
These continue after half term and last for 6 weeks. If you do have fees outstanding for the term, we will be sending reminders out via book bags. The fees for next half term will be £36.
Woodwind Chamber Concert
20 children represented the school at the Music Service Chamber Concert on Thursday 26th January at Edgbaston High School. All played brilliantly and we were commended by the Head of Woodwind for the Music Service on the thriving music community we have in our school and the standard of playing that the children have achieved.
Flute Day
A number of Laura Philips’s flute students attended a flute day on Sunday 5th February at the Birmingham Conservatoire. All had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“On Sunday 5th February we went to the Birmingham Conservatoire for a flute extravaganza project organised by Ciaran O’Donnell, the Head of Woodwind for the Music Service. Gareth McLearnon a professional flautist (from Pearl Flutes) taught us some useful tips such as posture and how to make a good tone. He also performed some excellent pieces for us. At the end of the day we did a big performance to our parents which included, ‘Can you feel the love tonight’, ‘Flute Medley’, ‘Flute Study’ and ‘La Bamba’. It was a brilliant experience”.
Gabby Dickson 5S, Katie Wallace, Victoria Meddings 6S and Freya Mason 6T
A number of other instrument days are planned by the Music Service. Please watch this space for reports.
Noye’s Fludde
We have had a great response from both the Junior and Infant School for children to take part in this community project. In fact the schools will be represented by over 60 children, which is fantastic. We have held our first joint rehearsal and will get together again in half term.
If you would like to come to see the opera – performances are on 25th and 26th February at Kings Norton Parish Church – St Nicholas’s Church, and start at 4.00 p m. Tickets are £6 for adults, £3 for children and a family ticket is £15. If you would like to reserve a ticket, do let me know via email, otherwise they can be bought on the door.
Naturally if you have any music queries at all please don’t hesitate to contact me via the school office or on vaughan3@blueyonder.co.uk. I am in school all day Monday and Friday mornings. Many thanks.
Claire Vaughan
