The letter to parents about tickets sales for this year’s Christmas Festival is currently being distributed in rehearsals (copy below:

The password for advance purchase tickets will appear here in the first half of the half-term break.

We have finally had time to put some of the recordings from the Marines concert in March online. Hope you all enjoy them, please feel free to share the links so we can get as many views as possible!

Below is the letter that went out to Wind Band during yesterday’s rehearsal (which was exceedingly good!). ParentPay is now live for the deposit payment – if your child’s account is not showing the Tour please let Mr Butler know and his/her name will be added.

We have just received the quotes for the proposed Wind Band tour to Belgium in July 2020 and therefore need to hold a meeting of the ‘ Friends’ as soon as possible. This will be held THIS Thursday (3rd October) from 6pm-7pm in the Meeting Room in A Block.  All interested parents/carers are more than welcome to attend.

Other items to be discussed (given time) will be finance, fundraising, bookings and a review of last year.

Cumbria Music Hub has secured a year’s partnership with the amazing National Youth Jazz Orchestra – those who have been lucky enough to go on workshops with them before will agree that the days are not only a great learning experience but great fun as well. I really recommend any player in the Swing Band should try and attend at least some of the sessions.

The days for the year are:  28 September, 2 November, 25 January, 14 March, 2 May & 20 June. And they take place at the North Lakes School (10am-4pm) in Penrith so car-sharing for participating students would be an idea!

To sign up (it’s free), go here: https://cumbriamusichub.com/2019/09/09/national-youth-jazz-orchestra-cumbria-academy/

All instrumental lessons start up again from Monday 16th September.  Times are posted on the Music noticeboard outside A14.

Please could all students check the day/time of their lesson and make sure they are on time, signing in at reception beforehand.

Mondays:   guitars, drums, piano & flute

Tuesdays:  strings, brass, piano & flute

Wednesdays:   singing, woodwind, piano & flute

Thursdays:   woodwind, brass, piano & flute

Fridays:  guitars, woodwind, piano & flute

Choir is back!!!!   This year led by our amazing singing teacher, Mrs Eccles.

All are welcome – no need to be shy!  We’re starting with a bit of Mamma Mia…so come and be a Super Trouper!

Tomorrow (Friday) lunchtime from 12.55-1.25pm in the Stoller Suite (A11). Early lunch passes are available from the Music Office.

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