General News
Music – End of Term Report
As this first term comes to an end, all of the pupils involved in music, once the final notes are delivered on Friday afternoon, can look back on the period since September and reflect on some remarkable achievements so far this year.
From the opening ‘Alleluia’ from the choir at the start of term, the bar was set very high. As is always the case, can this year’s Wrekinians match the achievements of last year and how much would the changes, that inevitably take place at the start of a new school year, affect what the musicians could achieve both individually and as part of the various bands and choirs that run here at Wrekin?
Whilst there is still lots to do and plenty of improvements that can be striven for, the first term of the year has been hugely impressive. Some groups have faced over a third of their personnel being replaced but, as ever, the baton has been grasped well and truly run with.
There have been a multitude of events and sadly not all can be mentioned (sorry); they are all very much valued events. However, whether you are an experienced Wrekin musician or someone who has played your first ever piece at the debut recital concert you can be very proud of your efforts musically this term.
The highlights this term have to be:
The Debut Recital Concert: Where nearly 41 pupils performed a solo, some after just five weeks of lessons.
Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day: Thank you to the Choir, Buglers and Prefects for their part in both the events. These were made all the more special by all in school who attended and contributed.
The Charity Concert: This raised over £1300 for Cancer Research UK and the Midlands Air Ambulance. Over 100 Wrekin pupils gave up last Saturday night to help others in what was a night to remember.
Whilst they are sure to get a mention in other reports the rehearsals for Sister Act have been a true collaborative effort and with two nights already at single figure seat availability, please do get your seats before you miss out!
On the competition front the successes have also been forthcoming.
Well done to both the Concert Band and Jazz Band for reaching the national final of NCBF, which will be held in March. It is the Jazz Band’s fifth consecutive year of qualification and the Concert Band’s third consecutive year. A real tribute to the consistent effort the bands put in year on year.
It is also with great pride that we recently learnt that the choir have qualified for the National Final of the Barnardo’s Youth Choir of the Year competition. This will be held also in March, at Symphony Hall in Birmingham. The choir are one of only six senior choirs to be selected. Sadly, like last year, only 40 of the choir can sing at the competition but hopefully it will spur those younger members on to emulate this achievement in the future and get their place at one of Britain’s finest concert halls.
Finally, on the competition front, well done to the whole school on an epic House Singing competition, displaying Wrekin at its finest. Lancaster were worthy winners but the evening was one to remember for a whole host of brilliant reasons.
Individually, well done to all the pupils who took musical exams this term. Lots of high grades were passed with excellent marks. Those certificates will be handed when they arrive in the new year.
The department would like to thank everyone who plays their part in making music happen here at Wrekin. Whether they are someone who cooks the performers’ tea on concert nights, teaches an instrument at post diploma level or carries the percussion kit from music school to Chapel, we are most grateful to them all.
Finally, we wish all Wrekinians a happy Christmas and all the very best for 2024. If you are sitting there wondering whether you should try something musical, the department urges you to give it a try in the New Year, you would be most welcome.
Mr Platford
