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.