Another year has finished, and once again I find myself realising that I have been somewhat lax in updating my website, for which I offer heartfelt apologies! In many ways this is a good sign that life is returning to ‘normal’ after a rather odd period in my teaching. The regular concert and exam schedule has been back in place, and social distancing restrictions etc have gradually been removed over the year, meaning that ensemble rehearsals and individual lessons have all felt much more familiar. It has been so wonderful to see the students at school throwing themselves back into the programme of events, shows, concerts, exams etc with full enthusiasm – even whilst the staff in charge have been desperately trying to remember how to ‘run’ said events after a somewhat lengthy break!
So many of my students have achieved personal ‘wins’ this year. From those who have improved one specific area of technique, or grown in confidence, or performed in public for the first time ever – and survived(!) – to the outstanding exam results achieved by several, and success at the first Music Festival we have taken part in for over 2 years. It has been a joy to work with all students, and to celebrate the successes, small and large that each have achieved. I was very impressed with the level of dedication shown by several students to my ‘breathing challenge’ this term, and the prize winners should be suitably proud of themselves!
Below are a few highlights which stand out after a very busy year…
Bar 61 performed in a wide variety of concerts, including the Autumn Concert, Jazz Evening, Spring Concert, and Jazz Afternoon, as well as singing at Prize Giving. I think most people’s favourite performance was the arrangement of ‘Under the Sea’ from The Little Mermaid. I was slightly less fond of this, after my wonderful Alto 2 Millie had to withdraw from the concert with almost no notice after falling foul of Covid, leaving no option but for me to channel my inner Alto 2 and growl a lot of bottom Fs for the performance! And therein lies the risk of running consort groups with only one voice per part during a global pandemic…
Vocalizzi sang in the Spring and Summer Concerts and the Music Theatre Evening. Despite again being slightly short of the full octet, the girls produced a beautiful and moving performance in the Summer Concert, ably led by Amelie who sang the Soprano 1 line solo.
Junior Choir have been lots of fun, and have certainly brought energy and excitement to every rehearsal. They performed in the Winter and Summer concerts, bringing joy to everyone else with their beautiful singing and obvious enthusiasm. I especially enjoyed working with them on the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang / Mary Poppins arrangements and was so proud of how well they sang.
Shows were back again, and I was delighted to see Alice and Millie show their fabulous and mature dramatic skills in the Senior Production of ‘As You Like It’. Whilst not a musical, the production was set in the swinging 60s, and the music which enhanced the dramatic setting and took us all to Carnaby St was ably sung (and often accompanied) by Olivia Y.
Many girls have taken practical ABRSM exams this year, and again demonstrated real determination, ambition, and poise to receive some excellent results. A particular mention must go to Eliza R who achieved an outstanding Distinction at Grade 7 with 138 marks, having barely recovered from a horrible chest infection the week before, and to Alice T who has just received an incredible 145/150 marks for her Grade 8. This is one of the highest marks we have ever had for any ABRSM exam, and is particularly special (and impressive) to achieve at this level. I am so proud of each and every one of my exam candidates for their individual successes! All exam results are visible here.
Huge numbers of my students have taken part in solo performances this year. The majority have been within school, but a small handful of girls performed at the Wantage Music Festival. They deserve a special mention, as I was due to accompany them, but finally got Covid, after 2 1/2yrs of avoiding it, and so had to pull out. At the last minute, the official accompanist offered to play, but the girls had to perform with no practice beforehand, which is daunting even for professional singers! Congratulations to Rose N and Olivia S who both performed. Olivia was invited to perform her folk song in the Festival Concert. Special mentions go to the following girls who undertook their first ever solo vocal public performance this year: Polly J, Rose N, Chiara R, Olivia S, Sophia S, Lily W. The following girls all performed solo at least once this year: Naomi B, Ella C, Anneli G, Sophia H, Millie H, Amelie J, Susie J, Polly J, Marnie L, Rose L, Charlotte L, Isabella L, Isabella MK, Marta MQ, Rose N, Miriam P, Eliza R, Chiara R, Olivia S, Sophia S, Alice T, Lily W, Olivia Y.
I’m now looking forward to meeting new students in September, reconnecting with current pupils after exciting summer breaks, and continuing to work with each student on their personal singing journey. Have a well deserved rest everyone, and see you soon!
Nearly the end of Term
It’s been lovely to have a whole term of ‘normal’ face to face teaching and I am so proud of all my students and what they have achieved in individual lessons. We had our first ‘Singers’ Concert’ in which Vocalizzi, Ella C, Isabella MK, Susie J and Bar 61 all performed, and our first Ensembles concert, in which Bar 61 performed. We also managed Joint Choral Society, and I was so proud of Alice T and Millie H who performed as Edith and Ruth respectively in the concert performance of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance. We also had our first set of face to face ABRSM practical exams for 2 years, and I was delighted that both Marta M and Ella C achieved very good results in these, gaining merit marks. Sophia H and Sophia S have been involved in the school production of Animal Farm this week, and next week sees the final week of term, complete with Christingle Service sung by Lower School Choir, and 9 Lessons and Carols sung by Chapel Choir. These are always highlights of the musical calendar for me, and I can’t wait to see them back after 2 years! Congratulations to all for a very successful and musical term; looking forward to hearing what 2022 brings….
Half Term and more audition news
As the end of the half term has finally arrived there was more excitement in the Lower School as the casting for the Alice in Wonderland production was finally announced. Congratulations to the students who have gained these roles: Susie J (Alice), Rose L (White Rabbit), Polly J (Duchess Margaret), Isabella M (Duchess Madeleine), Eloise F (Tweedledee). It promises to be another exciting production.
In Middle School the year 10 vocal ensemble had their annual auditions, and I’m delighted to celebrate that Ella C and Amelie J both retained their places for this year, and are joined by new members Marnie L and Miriam P to form half of the octet. I’m looking forward to working with all of them after half term.
Congratulations to all students for a very busy and successful half term; see you all in November!
Almost half term already!
What a joy this half term has been! I’m back to teaching face to face lessons to everyone, every week, and that has made a huge difference to my working week and the feeling of life slowly returning to ‘normal.’ I think the girls at school have also enjoyed that regular interaction, as well as choir rehearsals feeling more like they used to. Whilst it has been busy, the rhythm of life in the music department is feeling much more familiar, and last night I had the real pleasure of watching the girls present the first Singers’ Concert of the academic year. I was so proud of them, not only for the high standard of performance offered, but also because for most of them this was the first live performance they have given in over 18 months – or ever. Every student sang with grace, poise and a level of professionalism which belied the inevitable nerves and ‘rusty’ performance skills. You would never have known that there had been a gap in music making to watch them. Congratulations to Ella C, Millie H, Amelie J, Susie J, Isabella M, Marta M, Isabelle T and Alice T for their performances as soloists and members of the two vocal ensembles ‘Vocalizzi’ and ‘Bar 61’.
As ever, the girls are excelling in all sorts of ways, and it has been a real pleasure to see each student make steps forward in technical confidence, personal expression, and musical enjoyment. Most of these successes will be celebrated by me on my half termly ‘Wall of Fame’, but congratulations are due to the following girls for these specific achievements:
For successful audition into Chapel Choir: Ella C and Olivia Y. They join Millie H and Alice T who are current members.
For their roles in the musical production of ‘As You Like It’:
Alice T (Rosalind), Millie H (Touchstone), Anneli G (Jacques de Boys), Olivia Y (Amiens)
For being cast in the Lower School production of ‘Alice in Wonderland’:
Eloise F, Isabelle M, Polly J, Rose L, Susie J.
Auditions for the year 10 Ensemble will happen this week – watch this space!
Have a great half term everyone.
End of the Academic Year!
It seems that this academic year has gone by both very quickly, and incredibly slowly… such is the life when so much of it is remote and online. It has been a pleasure to see students face to face when the situation has allowed, and despite all concerts being online, we have still achieved a number of exciting performances, including a collaborative online concert performance of Schumann’s ‘Frauenliebe und Leben’ by the Upper Sixth students, and a concert of Opera Scenes, largely achieved remotely. Both of these projects made me very proud of the resilience of my students, and their willingness to achieve a really high standard in the most difficult of circumstances. To top it all off, the latest set of ABRSM exam results arrived last week, and I am thrilled that between them my students achieved two excellent Grade 5 certificates, three brilliant Grade 7 certificates, and three Grade 8 certificates – all with Distinction marks over 137/150. These results are truly a representation of the hard work the girls have put in over the past months, and I am immensely proud of their achievements. Full details of the results can be seen here.
This year the school loses a huge cohort of very talented singers, and as ever I will miss them very much as they go on to the next stage of their lives. They have been wonderful ambassadors for music, and especially singing, and I believe that each of them offers the world a unique and brilliant set of talents and skills. I shall follow their progress with interest and much fondness. In this year’s ‘Celebration of Music’ the leavers offered some thoughts about their musical experiences at school, and some words of thanks to each of the teachers. This was – as it always is – both a lovely and humbling thing to listen to. I was particularly struck by one sentence offered by C, who said that she leaves school with a love of singing. What a wonderful summation of all a teacher can ever hope for – that students grow to love their subject, appreciate its worth, and develop their own passion for it to carry forward. Thank you to all these girls for very happy (and funny!) memories which I will treasure in years to come.
Spring Term News Update
Another term has gone by, and despite most of my teaching remaining online students have participated in online concerts, exams, and continued to develop their technique and repertoire knowledge with enthusiasm and good humour.
I’m delighted to report some specific successes:
6 students took ABRSM Performance Grade exams this term, and the results are in. Details can be viewed here. Congratulations to Naomi B, Isabella H, Tim K, Miriam P, Eliza R and Olivia Y for taking on this challenge and even having to record exams at home. A special mention goes to Eliza, who achieved a stunning 143/150 for her Grade 6 exam!
The annual Senior Music Festival at school took place online, with over 35 recitals at Grade 7 and above performed by the students. I’m hugely proud of Giulia A, Millie H and Alice T (Open Class) and Claudia H, Lottie H, Caitlin S and Jasmine S (Recital Class) for the programmes which they presented, and was delighted that Millie and Alice were awarded joint 3rd Place in the Open Class. Well done all of you!
Outside school, Giulia A, Millie H and Sophia H all auditioned for NYMT (National Youth Music Theatre), and all three girls were invited for a call back audition. Places in this National organisation are hugely competitive, and to receive a call back is in itself a huge achievement.
Girls also had the opportunity to sign up for Masterclasses with world renowned actors, directors, singers and creatives from the world of Music Theatre this term. Giulia A, Isabella H, Caitlin S and Alice T all took this opportunity, and came back with some useful insights into the world of professional Music Theatre.
Another of my students auditioned for Garsington Youth Opera this term, and I’m delighted that Isabella M will be taking part in their activities and performances this summer. Great news!
These achievements are obviously worth celebrating, but alongside that are the smaller, but still significant strides forward in individual lessons where students can hear and feel their technique solidifying and developing. I am so proud of each and everyone of my students for the progress they have made this year so far, especially with so much learning taking place online. Keep it up, but enjoy the holiday ahead – you all deserve it!
Autumn Term 2020
Another term has gone by, with a mix of face to face and online teaching. It has been lovely to see students face to face, albeit not as often as I would like, and whilst online teaching is infinitely preferable to no teaching (!) I have appreciated the face to face time all the more when the opportunity has arisen. The return of students to school has also enabled some limited options for ensemble singing to return to my weekly schedule, and it has been a real joy to have both weekly rehearsals with these girls, and online concerts featuring live recordings of the vocal groups, as well as some performances which have been edited together from individual recordings when live recordings haven’t been possible. Admittedly it has taken some getting used to rehearsing ensembles ‘remotely’ (so they are in a room together, and I’m at home coaching via a screen) and I’ve particularly enjoyed watching the girls decide where to ‘put’ me (the screen) at the start of each rehearsal so I am best positioned for them to hear whilst also ensuring I can still see as many of them as possible whilst they maintain the required social distancing in the rehearsal space!
The term also saw the introduction of ABRSM Performance Grades. As the name suggests, the new exams focus on performance only and so don’t feature the traditional aural and sight reading tests. Whilst I still believe the ‘old style’ practical grade exams to be a more rigorous test of all round musical ability, the new grades are examined online from a live recording, and therefore are much more possible under COVID restrictions. Despite my initial scepticism, once mark schemes became available for the new exams it was clear that they presented interesting and alternative challenges for candidates. A whole 30 marks from a possible 150 have been allocated for this overall performance, which includes programme choice, appropriate communication during the performance of each piece and how candidates manage the gaps between each song, and communicate with their accompanist. These are important skills which I am always encouraging my students to develop, and it was interesting to see how the first two of my exam candidates fared. I’m delighted that both girls achieved Distinction marks for their exams, despite general feedback from this first session highlighting some issues with the overall marking consistency from the exam board. Congratulations to Giulia and Arabella for this achievement. I have no doubt that some other students will be taking these exams in the coming terms, especially whilst covid is still affecting school life, but I will be interested to see how the Performance grades sit alongside Practical grades when both options are fully back in operation at the school. I am sure that the lack of supporting tests will appeal to many students, but I have been heartened that some students at least are holding out for face to face examinations to resume, or at least only planning on using the performance grades for now.
I’d also like to congratulate Olivia Y for gaining a Music Scholarship for 6th form! She has worked very hard for this, and I know she will be an asset to the whole department in this role next year.
Teaching in the Covid-19 era
Gosh, I realise that I haven’t posted anything on my blog since 2016. Perhaps its because I had my daughter in the interim, and there never seems to be much time any more?! Still, I must do better, and with the launch of my new website it seems appropriate to make an effort to post something more recent. Perhaps unsurprisingly the current global situation seems a rather apt subject.
Back in the early months of the year I would have been totally amazed at the idea of teaching online, and would have sworn it couldn’t be done (along with the vast majority of my colleagues). Whilst my sister regularly teaches English online to students across the globe, it is much less common to have offered music lessons online – at least until March 2020…
As the inevitability of lockdown loomed large, I was fortunate that the school where I work ensured we were equipped with the necessary technology and resources to enable us to teach online. I was also able to maintain my private teaching practice online. All well and good in theory, but then lockdown came into force and the hypothetical became a reality. Admittedly the first week was more challenging than I think either I or my students had anticipated. Early issues with webcams not working left me literally teaching blind for a day, and I quickly realised how much I rely on my ability to see my students to assess what they are doing and what they need to work on! The limitations of technology also meant that I was unable to accompany my students as normal, as computers on both ends just couldn’t cope with audio input and output simultaneously. It was a certainly a steep learning curve, and frustrations with poor sound quality and technology ‘blips’ in the middle of lessons left everyone feeling pretty exhausted. Choral rehearsals seemed an impossibility, and whilst the idea of ‘virtual concerts’ was floated this also seemed a pipe dream!
Fortunately the Easter holidays gave us an opportunity to regroup and plan for the summer term, and it quickly became apparent that lockdown was going to continue for a good while yet.
So, what has changed?
I found that some aspects of my teaching could continue as normal, and in fact the limitations of teaching online forced me to focus on some areas of learning which I struggle to find time for when everyone is constantly preparing for performances and examinations. My personal interest in the Kodàly Method came to the fore, and all students spent some of their lessons working on these skills which are so valuable for all round musical development. I was delighted that all students responded positively to this focus, and many admitted to enjoying the time spent on musicianship each week, despite generally panicking if asked to spend time on sight singing in an average lesson!
In order to work on song repertoire I had to rely on recording backing tracks of the accompaniments. Obviously this impacted on my own time, and much more forethought and planning was necessary for each individual lesson. Backing tracks are no substitute for ‘live’ accompaniment, but students have generally adapted well to this and have gained an alternative but useful skill for their futures.
It was an unpleasant revelation to me to discover that some of my students struggled to stay in tune without accompaniment even in basic warm up exercises, and this led me to a natural desire to encourage them to learn and work on some unaccompanied repertoire. Each student sourced a folk song with guidance, and then learned and recorded themselves singing it. Of course traditional ABRSM singing examinations require students to perform an unaccompanied song, and whilst many of them have now got a folk song ready for their next exam, I actually wanted them to appreciate how beautiful this repertoire is, and to gain confidence in singing without accompaniment, regardless of any examination intention. It was really lovely to see so many of them embrace this opportunity and to include several of these performances in our virtual Singers’ Concert in May.
Concerts are not quite what they used to be, and have thrown up their own challenges and opportunities. School opted to transfer our planned programme of concerts to the online platform, and so my colleagues and I all had to learn to edit and collate pre recorded performances for these events. Learning to use editing software has been useful for me, but even though I am relatively ‘tech-savvy’ I still needed help and advice whilst I got to grips with it (thanks, Alice!) I was delighted to be able to include so many of the department’s singers in our virtual concert, and to share another 30 or so performances via Twitter in the weeks following. The option of lengthening concerts, knowing that the audience can dip in and out, or watch it in stages was really lovely, and nearly 75% of the department singers took part in some form or other. Our usual format would normally only allow about 20% of singers to take part, and the inclusivity of the online concert was a real bonus. It has also opened up the audiences to the concerts, and I was delighted to know that far flung Grandparents, or parents who often miss their students’ performances due to work commitments were able to watch the concerts in their own time.
The area of my teaching I have missed most is that of the ensembles. Whilst I asked my choirs to learn repertoire which I sent them, and record their individual parts which I could then edit together for concerts, this is not what being part of a choir is about! I miss the interaction of the girls as they work together and learn to listen, breathe and feel the music as a single entity. They too have missed that experience, and I know that they and I all benefit from the social interaction that the rehearsals provide.
Many of my students have been preparing for a performance of staged opera scenes. These rehearsals which would normally have been focused on ensemble singing and acting skills have all been transferred online, and instead of ensemble rehearsals everyone has been learning their parts in isolation. This has been a very bizarre experience, and I can’t wait to get the girls together and be able to work on these scenes properly…
So, what’s next? Well, who knows! Singing is still considered to be pretty ‘dangerous’ in the current climate, and I fear that it will be some time before ensemble singing can take place again. I very much hope that I can find a more meaningful way to work with my ensembles until singing in the same room becomes a viable option, and that it won’t be too long before we can work together on the opera scenes and choral repertoire.
There have been some positive things to come out of the situation though, and I want to try and take some things forward, even when I am able to start teaching in person again. These include continuing to include musicianship work into every lesson with every student, and making a concerted effort to encourage working on unaccompanied repertoire even when students aren’t working towards exams which require it. I am also keen to continue to try and broadcast performances online in some format so that distant friends and relations can also enjoy the music which is made by the students.
One thing is certain: none of us will take working with students in person, or the joy of making music together for granted again. I can’t wait to have that opportunity as soon as is safe, and I will be so delighted to hear and see my students ‘live’ again!
New Website!
Welcome to my updated website. More content will be added in due course! Whilst I have transferred much of the content from my old website which remains relevant, I will only post some of the more recent news items.
End of Term and Exam Result
It’s hard to believe, but a very peculiar term ended on Friday last week. I have been so inspired by how my students have all risen to the challenge of remote lessons, and have coped with minor technical glitches, and with limited access to piano accompaniment. Everyone has made progress, and hopefully had fun along the way. Whilst it has certainly been an interesting challenge, and has highlighted new and varied ways of working, I do miss seeing my students in person each week. I hope that it won’t be too long before I can teach and rehearse my ensembles with everyone able to hear each other ‘live’.
Right at the end of term on of the leaving 6th formers had the opportunity to take a remote singing exam with the ABRSM, as the outcome of the exam was relevant to her University applications. I’m so pleased to say that she achieved a brilliant Distinction, which was especially noteworthy due to the much more complex and novel system surrounding taking the exam, as well as the uncertainty from not having had an ‘in person’ lesson since the end of March. Huge congratulations Ella; I am so thrilled for you. It is a real recognition of all your endeavours and efforts over the past 7 years. (I would also mention that Ella also gained her Grade 8 piano after taking both exams on the same day… and this is on top of two existing Grade 8 certificates in clarinet and violin. I can’t think of anyone who is more suited to her chosen degree course (music, obviously!).
Saying goodbye to the leavers was especially hard this year. It’s always sad to see students you’ve worked with for years leave to move on to the next stage of their lives, but also incredibly exciting. These young women often start lessons with me when they are small, lost looking and at the start of their secondary education, but they leave with fabulous qualifications, broad experience and the confidence and diverse range of skills which will open doors of opportunity, and allow them to excel as they move into the big wide world. This year’s cohort of Upper Sixth singers were small in number, but powerful! I shall very much miss Ella F, Ella J and Sarah L, two of whom I have taught throughout their time at the school. It was really sad not to be able to say goodbye in person, but I hope that they will enjoy every minute of their next steps, and I look forward to hearing all about their adventures in the future. Thanks for a lot of wonderful and fun memories, girls.