Music Department Update

09 Sep Music Department Update

Over the past academic year, the Music Department has been busy getting things back in place, with instrumental lessons continuing to be rolled out to students from Years 7-13 and extra-curricular clubs returning to the school week, at JRCS. Well done to all our musicians who participated in the activities on offer in the department.

GCSE Exam Success

We are delighted to see that 80% of our Year 11 music GCSE cohort successfully passed their music qualification this summer at grades 9-4. Students rose to the challenges faced during a time of much change, and went on to perform, compose and analyse music to a high standard.

We are extremely pleased for our students and thanks to the fantastic Music Team for putting in every effort in supporting JRCS students.

Music Year 9 ACHIEVE Days

Students across Year 9 had the opportunity last term to work with leading UK musicians to develop their musicianship, confidence and group work skills.

Students and JRCS staff participated in Beatbox, with Kimmy from the Beatbox Collective; Western African Djembe Drumming, with Akosua Boyake BEM, and her team from Akoma Asa Arts; Brazilian Samba with Afúa from Beat Goes On; Becoming a Band with Reuben, Jerry, Sean, Jeremy, and JRCS’s Mr Jenner, Miss Harris and Mr Barquilla; and Musical Theatre Vocal Work with Nav and his team from MD Brunch.

The feedback from the day was really positive and it was fantastic to see students and staff enjoying themselves through music! Thank you to all staff who supported us throughout the day!

Winter Music Sharing Concerts

In December of 2021, students participated in two nights of music-making. KS3 and KS5 students impressed us with their high-quality performances, followed closely by an evening of performances from GCSE Music students in Years 10 & 11.

Standout performances included a vocal duo performing Rise Up – Venessa (Y13) and Kwame (former student in Y13), Josnah’s vocal solo (Y9) and another vocal performance from Daniels (Y11).

Thank you to everyone who participated and attended. The standard of performance across the two evenings far exceeded anything we had hoped for, and you all left your audience awaiting more in the summer!

Summer Music Night

JRCS students from Years 7-12 wowed the audience of family, friends and staff with the final public performances of the year at our outdoor Summer Music Night. It was wonderful to hear the culmination of a year of hard work and to see students supported by their music teachers. Thank you to everyone who performed, all who attended to support the students and the department, and we look forward to continuing to provide high quality entertainment for the school community.

Stand out performances amongst many came from Elio (Y11) performing the violin solo with the school orchestra, conducted by Mr Jenner, the KS3 Jazz Band, led by Miss Hurst, Drum Kit performances from our fantastic KS3 students and Abigail’s beautiful rendition of Hallelujah, originally performed by Leonard Cohen.

Projects

We are delighted to have JRCS students from Years 7-11 participating in projects run by the Royal Academy of Music. Elio (Y11) participated last academic year in several projects, working on composition with composition tutor from the Royal Academy.

Over the summer holiday, Sophia (Y8) and Naima ((Y11) participated in the Inner Ear programme, and next week we will have students attending a masterclass by Alexis Ffrench, Sony Music pianist, alumnus of the Royal Academy and Artistic Director of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

We are so pleased to see increasing numbers of JRCS students demonstrating the confidence and aspiration to attend these events. Keep up the excellent work everyone!

A reminder to our returning students that instrumental lessons begin on Monday 12th September.

Miss Hurst

Head of Music