The Spring Concert

On Tuesday I attended the Annual Spring Concert which is a showcase of GCSE and A level work. I sat at the back with a bag of Wine Gums for company and just let myself be immersed in the music. It was exceptional. The level of the performances was incredible and it was just a genuine joy to be there. At the end I stood at the door and one parent said to me: “This just gets better and better.” She is right. It’s not just the standard either—it’s the whole culture and ethos around music which just seems to build year on year. The department is living out the values of the school as expressed in our motto: form strength to strength.

I’d like to thank everyone involved…the site team, the tech team so ably led by Caleb Horne, the instrumental teachers and Mr Howell, Mrs Watts and Mr Armstrong. Special shout out to Mrs Watts who spent most of the evening on the piano accompanying pupils. How she does it I’ll never know.

It was a joy!

Welcome to the KAWAI GX6

On Wednesday we held a special welcome event for our new grand piano. It also served as an opportunity to thank those people who had sponsored it. It was very informal and included about 8 performances from students and staff. The standard was incredibly high although it did dip somewhat when I took to the keys.

I made the point in my talk that we strive here to give our pupils the very best facilities in the spirit of always wanting to engineer social mobility. I think we are doing a good job on that. I’ve never been to a state school with better facilities for music.

But I also made the point that whilst it is nice to have such lovely things our most crucial asset is the staff, who day in and day out inspire young people onto great things.

I love music and I have always believed that it should play a central role in the life of a school. It certainly does at Balcarras.

DLB