16th November 2023Musical Excellence
Summer 2023 update
The summer term has been busy for the music department, with GCSE and A level students recording their final performances and submitting their compositions. The A level group held a performance recital at the end of March which was warmly received by both friends and family that attended. Fingers crossed for the results! A level and Y9 students were also involved in local community coronation celebrations, with a small group playing at the Kent MS Centre Coronation Afternoon Tea.
https://www.bartoncourt.org/238/latest-news/post/557/kent-ms-centre-coronation-tea
The music and drama departments have also been working closely together over the last few terms on this year’s school production (‘The Addams Family’). This production is featuring students across all year groups, including Y7s from Barton Manor. Please click on the link below for information about the production and how to purchase tickets.
https://www.bartoncourt.org/238/latest-news/post/579/the-addams-family-production
Spring 2023 update
As the dust settled after a successful (and busy!) Christmas period for the department, we went straight into preparing for February’s BCAT Young Musician of the Year competition, featuring students in Y7 and Y8 from Barton Court, alongside Y7s students from Barton Manor. This was a well attended event, with a total of 19 students performing, some in public for the very first time! The judges had a difficult time choosing the winners, but congratulations go to Francisk (3rd place, Y7), Martha (2nd place, Y8) and Charles (1st place, Y8). A special mention should also go to Fraser (Barton Manor), who played his trombone in public for the first time, after only having lessons for three months – what bravery!
At the end of March, the department hosted the annual Spring Concert, showcasing ensembles, small groups and soloists from across the school community. All of the performances were warmly received by parents and featured ensembles such as the orchestra, choir, jazz band, string group and the inaugural performance of the Barton Manor band. A special mention should go to the music department prefects (Ruby and Reuben) who helped throughout the entire evening and were very positive role models for the younger students.
Winter 2022 update
The winter term is always busy for the music department and this year was no exception! The highlight of the music calendar is the annual carol service in Canterbury Cathedral, which is attended by the whole school and parents. The ensembles featured were the orchestra, string group, choir (including Barton Manor students), chamber choir, brass ensemble, chamber ensemble and woodwind ensemble. All groups contained students from across the school and their performances were thoughtful and very well executed. We were also pleased to welcome the Lord Mayor of Canterbury to this event and she was very impressed with the event as a whole. Please click on the link below for some musical highlights of the service:
After the carol service, the department also hosted the annual winter concert, which alongside repertoire from the carol service, featured several of our popular music ensembles including Y9 band, Y10 band, jazz band and a 6th form/staff band (Feliz Navidad!). This was another sold out event; please click the link below to listen to some selected highlights:
In February, the department was pleased to welcome a class of Y5 students for a G+T session. The students were incredibly enthusiastic and demonstrated excellent levels of instrumental and vocal skills. We ended the session with a spirited rendition of Tequila! We hope to see these students again for more transition events in 2023.
Autumn 2022 update
The department stepped back into music making with a bang in September, with the start of all extra curricular activities. We were also pleased to welcome our new Y7 cohort, many of whom are commencing instrumental or vocal lessons in term 1. We were also delighted with the arrival of our new (old!) Bechstein grand piano, which is being well used (and well loved) by students and staff alike.
https://www.bartoncourt.org/238/latest-news/post/518/bechstein-grand-piano
The department was also very pleased to be involved in the Canterbury Festival again this year, firstly with Y13 and Y9 students performing on the Beautiful Noise busking stage on a Saturday morning as Westgate Hall. Then, we returned to Westgate Hall the following Monday, to perform in the school’s lunchtime series of concerts. As always, this featured our flagship ensembles and students from across all year groups, including Y7s from Barton Manor. The department was very proud of their achievements, especially considering how early in the year the concert took place.
https://www.bartoncourt.org/238/latest-news/post/519/canterbury-festival-2022
At the end of Term 1, Y11 students put on a performance recital for friends and family, in order to get them into ‘GCSE performance mode’. This was a really successful event and the students performed very well.
https://www.bartoncourt.org/238/latest-news/post/526/y11-gcse-music-recital
The department also commemorated Remembrance Day, with one of our Y10 cornet players offering to play a poignant Last Post.
www.bartoncourt.org/238/latest-news/post/523/remembrance-at-bcgs
Documents
| Musical Excellence |
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| Moana final performance |
