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Music
We emphasise enjoyment of music as well as excellence in performance and competition.
Music plays an integral role in the life of pupils at Sedbergh Junior School, from morning assembly, class lessons, practices at lunchtime and individual tuition through to concerts each half term, as well as performances with the various School choirs, ensemble groups and orchestra.
Tuition and encouragement
More than half of our pupils learn a musical instrument with our numerous specialist teachers. In addition, the Senior School’s Director of Music runs a very active and well-regarded School orchestra and various chamber groups, and Sedbergh Junior School’s Director of Music runs the prep school’s own samba, string and wind ensemble groups.
Every pupil is given the opportunity to perform regularly in the classroom, in our Exeat and End of Term Concerts. Details of music events and drama productions can be found on our Calendar.
Scholarships
A number of Music Scholarships are available at the Junior School and pupils also have the opportunity to apply for the Music Awards at the Senior School.
Encouragement and inspiration
To further inspire the pupils, Sedbergh frequently hosts concerts by international artists, and participates in Music and Literary Festivals.
As a result of the encouragement and inspiration they receive at Sedbergh Junior School, our pupils regularly secure regional and national awards in Music and Drama.
Music Lesson Timetable
Please see the attachment below for this week's music lesson timetable.
End of Term Christmas Concert 2011 Review
The Christmas Concert of 2011 was packed with quality. A mixture of fun and more serious items achieved the perfect blend which brought comments from some parents saying this was the finest SJS concert they had ever attended.
The Concert was book ended with the Junior and Senior Chamber Choirs singing two beautiful carols, one haunting, ‘Carol of the Bells’ and one uplifting, ‘Ding Dong’. This not only gave us the perfect beginning and Finale to the concert but also showcased the fabulous vocal talent we have at both ends of the school.
Sandwiched between we had performances from years 3-6, both orchestra and string orchestra and an array of tremendous soloists. Not to mention the whole school getting on stage to send out a message of Christmas cheer with the catchy Christmas number ‘Christmas Time’.
Year 3 and 4 delighted the audience with a re-run of three of the songs from their Christmas Production ‘The Bossy Christmas Fairy’. This included some audience participation in ‘Wrap Me Round the Christmas Tree’ where maybe a glass of sherry for one or two of the parents might have loosened up one or two of the moves!
This term Year 5 have learnt the rudiments of how to play the violin. Their performance of ‘Silent Night’ showed us how far they have come. Every performer stood with perfect posture and they surprised and delighted the audience with their beautiful sound. The violin can sound beautiful in the hands of beginners especially when you have such a dedicated and enthusiastic group as year 5!
Year 6 sang a traditional carol ‘Patapan’. Some of the class formed the percussion section which added a tight rhythmical accompaniment to enhance the beautiful singing from this year group.
The string orchestra was ably supported by our guest soloist Mr Gorst!!! Apart from wanting to steal the show Mr Gorst was brilliantly backed by the super sound of our talented string players. Mr Gorst where has this natural affinity for the stage come from? We are seeing a very different side to you!
The orchestra’s performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘The Lord High Executioner’ highlighted one of the main attributes we work very hard to instill into all our musicians – Ensemble. The ability to listen and blend within a group is a core skill that can benefit us all in so many different areas of life. Here was a really tight performance where everybody played in perfect harmony.
All the soloists performed superbly: We started with an atmospheric opening by Christopher Sanders and Edward Whitehouse on their saxophones, brilliant singing from Beatrice Livesey and Henrietta Cropper, a note perfect performance on the piano from Candice Dobson, angelic harp playing from Emilia Page, toe-tapping drumming from Kestrel Selby-Boddy, fabulous brass playing from Geordan Moss and Guy Hollins, a lovely violin duet by Emilia Lowe and Gabby Boothman and not forgetting James Carruthers singing his heart out for his lost love in Wham’s classic ‘Last Christmas’.
The penultimate item ‘Christmas Time’, a partner sung by the whole school, gave the children the opportunity to give their parents an early Christmas present with their lively festive performance. It left the parents with the opening words of the song ringing in their ears – ‘Christmas Time is here, just feel it in the air, feel the happiness it brings, just for us to share.’ Leaving us all with a smile on our face and looking forward to a well deserved Christmas break.
 ABRSM Exam Results Winter 2011.pdf | [ ] | 166 Kb |
| Music Timetable 20.2.12.pdf | [ ] | 209 Kb |