End of the academic year (again!)

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!