On Friday 23^rd November, Mrs Chong took the Year 10 GCSE Music group to Chapel Arts in Cheltenham. Chapel Arts, in collaboration with the Cheltenham Music Festival Society, run a Young Musician series of concerts on a Friday lunchtime to which various schools were invited to perform on a specific lunchtime. There is no cost to the school and there is no admission charge for the audience. Most of the group performed a solo or duet and then the whole group came together for the final piece – their own version of Hey Soul Sister by Train. Everyone performed superbly and were an absolute credit to Balcarras. Mrs Chong was immensely proud and delighted to have given them this opportunity. The students themselves also really enjoyed the experience:

“I thought we all worked very well as a group. We learnt from each other through the songs we played. We all supported and appreciated each other’s efforts” (Rosie Brooks)

“People were very welcoming. It was great to play in such a lovely venue surrounded by beautiful artwork” (Ben Bradley-Croft)

“It was an enjoyable experience and really nice to play at the venue” (Lucy Knight)

“It was a good performance opportunity” (Robbie McElroy)

“It helped our musical ear and taught us group work skills. It also helped improve our confidence” (Ellie Bee-Stephens)

The whole group also thanked Mrs Chong for arranging such an opportunity at such an early stage in their GCSE course.

Balcarras will be taking up this performance opportunity again on Friday 8^th February, 1pm-1.40pm at Chapel Arts. This time it is hoped it will give AS and A-Level Music students a chance to perform pieces they will have prepared for their recitals later that term.