Music Highlights This Half Term

What an extraordinary half term it has been for our Music Department!  

Masterclasses, Mozart, a Musical and much, much more… 

 Renowned as having the best acoustics in the country, the term began with a Music Department trip to Symphony Hall, Birmingham to watch the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra perform Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto. As one of the current AQA GCSE Music set works, the pupils not only listened intently to the graceful, sweeping melodies, but several found that it brought new insights into their studies. 

Our valued partnership with Bath Philharmonia delivered the first two of our five annual Masterclasses in November. Firstly, principal Oboist, Victoria Brawn, provided her invaluable insight and advice to a selection of our Woodwind players. Later in the month, we were joined by renowned Percussionist, Catherine Ring, who supplied lots of helpful instruction and inspiration, and who very much enjoyed seeing our young percussionists make instant improvements in their playing.  

The contemporary surroundings of The Rose Drama Studio played host to our inaugural Musical Theatre Showcase/ Workshop. Featuring outstanding performances of songs from some of the nation’s favourite musicals, we are grateful to our singing teacher, Mrs Donovan for a wonderful evening of dramatic music.  

Many of KES’ regular Autumn Colours concert goers commented that if this year’s concert wasn’t the best ever, it was certainly a superb vintage! Featuring pupils from Year 7 right through to top role models from Year 13, we witnessed a succession of truly outstanding musical performances that clearly demonstrated KES musicians’ impressive confidence and skill in communication and performance etiquette.  

At the Christmas Fair, KES Wind, bedecked in their Christmas jumpers, provided a fabulously festive accompaniment to the event. Playing a selection of Christmas favourites, they were a real hit with the festive shoppers! 

Continuing with the Christmas theme, our Middle and Lower School pupils were treated to some heart-warming performances from our musical ensembles. The Clarinet Ensemble, under the leadership of our Clarinet teacher, Mrs Cheshire, performed a captivating rendition of ‘The Snowman’, while our ever expanding intermediate orchestra, INTER-KES, under the direction of our Music Specialist Support, Michael Riordan, delivered wonderfully jolly performances of the ‘Star Wars Main Theme’ and, of course, ‘Winter Wonderland’.  

The absolute highlight of the term though has to be our long-awaited return - after a 4-year hiatus due to the Abbey’s renovation and the pandemic - to Bath Abbey for our Service of Nine Readings and Carols. Bathed in the most remarkable lighting, Bath’s historic building, filled with some truly exceptional singing and playing from our KES 24 and KES Senior Singers choirs, KES Baroque Group and KES Contemporary Ensemble, delivered a truly magical evening. Our deepest thanks go to all of the KES Music Team involved, but we would especially like to thank our Resident KES Composer, Mark Boden, for writing an uplifting new work as a musical centrepiece for the evening, and the Director of Music, Rupert Drury, for delivering an immensely moving and memorable service, all whilst working tirelessly as the Musical Director of the school musical, ‘We Will Rock You!’ 

Wrapping up the term and braving the freezing temperatures, the fantastic KES Steel brought a touch of the Caribbean to our Christmas festivities outside the Willett Dining Hall, and we eagerly await our Final Assembly, where we will be treated to exciting performances from our KES Senior Singers and the KES Senior Orchestra, who have even got some choreography planned!

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