Swing Band’s first rehearsal of the year will be THIS Friday from 3.40-4.45pm.

Please could all current members make sure they are present as well as any other grade 6+ players who believe that they should also be in the band this year (check with Mr Butler beforehand if you are unsure).

Wind Band’s first rehearsal will be on Monday 9th from 3.40pm-5.00pm: again, all current players should be present. If you are playing beyond grade 3 standard and believe that you should be starting in the Wind Band please see Mr Butler beforehand.

A reminder of the summer homework that must be completed by Thursday morning (first lesson is p2).

Listen to excerpts of all the following and, if possible, do a small amount of background reading on each.

Benjamin Britten: excerpts from Peter Grimes (opera) & The War Requiem

Berlioz:   All of Symphonie Fantastique & excerpts from Harold in Italy

Debussy:  All of Prelude a l’Apres-midi d’un Faune

Jerry Goldsmith:  excerpts from Planet of the Apes (original)

The Beatles:  excerpts from Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band & any of The Beach Boys 

Stravinsky:   All of Firebird Suite & excerpts from  Petroushka

Please could all members of the Swing Band who are leaving school please return their band shirt to school?

Also, could all the A Level students please either return their Edexcel anthologies to the department (with all annotations rubbed out) or send a £30 payment for the book to school?

Many thanks to all yr11 and yr13 musicians who are leaving school – you have all been amazing and I wish you all the very best of luck in the future.

Mr B.

We will be back at school at 3pm. Should anyone be unable to be picked up then I will wait with them.

OK – so the run through Europe was so good we have now landed at Dover and are on our way ‘up North ‘. We may get back to school by 2.30 but will give an update once we are beyond Stafford.

We are currently enjoying a phenomenal run back from Italy – will possibly get the 5.45am ferry and be back to school mid afternoon

Just to report that all 100 of us are safe and well. An ‘interesting’ and very long journey over the last 2 days perfectly finished with a swim and great evening meal watching lightening over the Alps and the Dolomites.

Currently in Verona enjoying beautiful weather and food, as well as the amazing sights.

When dropping off students tomorrow morning (at 7.30pm), please do not park in the school carpark as staff will be needing to use it from 7.45pm onwards and we are very short of space,

Also, the actual school bus stop cannot be used as the buses will be using it. Please use the parking bays either side of the road on the station approach to school – the building contractors have now finished at Sandside School so all the bays should be clear.

See you all tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!