We have had such a fantastic end to the summer term this year, with events happening every week for the last four weeks of term!
Friday 30th June was Founders’ Day and as is tradition, we joined together with the choir and brass group from HGS to put on a spectacular service to send off the Year 13 students and those Year 11s leaving HBS and HGS. The choir and brass group performed to an extremely high standard and there was a real sense of occasion. Year 11 student Isaac H played a voluntary on the organ at the end of the service, too. Our guest speaker - local performer and composer Iain Farrington - was full of praise for our Music department and the musicianship of our students.
On Sunday 2nd July, many of our students took part in this year’s Priory Picnic; a showcase event run by the North Herts branch of Hertfordshire Music Service. The HBS Jazz Band, led by Paul Woodin did a fantastic set.
On Thursday 6th July, we put on our Summer Concert, which featured everything from Bach to Black Sabbath and also showcased our new group Ukulele Dance Floor, run by Kit B in Year 8. The performances were really enjoyable and inspiring. Thank you to our generous audience, who raised some money for our department which we have spent on sheet music and a new guitar amp.
On Wednesday 12th July, we hosted a songwriting workshop, led by IEMusic. 24 students in Years 8-10 took part and over the course of a day, they were given tips on how to come up with lyrics and then set them to music. Many of the students hadn’t worked with each other before and the workshop leader was really impressed with how quickly everyone gelled together and created such a variety of different songs.
Monday 17th July saw the return of our community concerts in local care homes, something that we haven’t been able to do since before the pandemic. We did concerts at Elmside care home and the North Herts Day Service for Older People. The concerts were very well-received and we thoroughly enjoyed putting them on.
Dates for your diary
Wednesday 20th September - Open evening. If you play an instrument or sing and you would like to take part in our concert in the Music department on open evening, please let Mrs Strachan know.
Tuesday 14th November - Autumn Concert (note change of day).
Monday 18th December - Carol Service.
Exciting Music news!
Congratulations to Kit B in Year 8, who performed at this year’s Todd in the Hole festival.
We are delighted to announce that Isaac L in year 13 gained his ARSM diploma on piano with merit this term. This is a huge achievement.
Joe E in year 13 won this year’s Junior Guildhall Jazz Prize. This is highly prestigious and we are delighted for Joe, who is going on to study Jazz Piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in September.
Many of you will know that James Bay is an alumnus of HBS. He was delighted to open for Bruce Springsteen in Hyde Park earlier this month. What an incredible moment in his career!
We wish you a restful summer and we look forward to seeing you in September.
Mrs Strachan
The Summer Concert featured a variety of music
Students in Years 8 - 10 took part in a songwriting workshop
This week, students visited care homes to entertain residents