On the 16th January a group of 46 students headed out to Manchester’s stunning Bridgewater Hall to experience a unique concert experience alongside students from all around the North West and beyond. The Halle orchestra’s ‘The Orchestra Through the Ages’ concert took pupils on a guided tour of music from the Renaissance period right through to the twenty first century. The concert featured soloists from the Royal Northern College of Music which really gave the students something to aspire towards. Our students were particularly blown away by the performance of Steven Schwarz’s ‘Defying Gravity’. This was a unique opportunity to see and hear it and was not only performed by a fabulous vocal student but was accompanied by the full symphony orchestra. One of the memories that will stay with me was when the concert presenter, Tom Redmond demonstrated a musical idea using a 9 foot Alpine horn!

It was a fantastic opportunity for our year 10 and 11 GCSE students to hear pieces performed live that they are currently studying as well as hearing some of the tricky concepts broken down with the help of the full orchestra.

“I thought the concert was fantastic! It was incredibly interesting and engaging. All the music was brilliant but I particularly loved Berlioz’s ‘March to the Scaffold’ and ‘Defying Gravity’ from Wicked.”  Sea B Year 10

Mrs Little

Music Department

On Monday 18^th October, we held our very first ‘Music and Verse’ evening. The purpose of this concert was to provide our GCSE cohorts with the opportunity to perform to an audience in preparation for their future coursework submissions.  It also gave our Year 8 students the opportunity to perform their LAMDA pieces and provided a small number of ensembles the chance to perform to an audience. The evening was a tremendous success with all our students performing superbly. It was also fantastic to hear our Year 8 LAMDA students reciting their verse and prose in preparation for their upcoming assessments.

Each year, the Year 11 cohort choose the charity they would like to support on the evening with all proceeds going to the designated charity. This year was no exception, with students choosing to support The Stroke Association. The Stroke Association are the UK’s largest charity dedicated to helping with the emotional, practical and financial cost of stroke.  They fund research into ongoing rehabilitation that could help stroke survivors live fuller and happier lives. They provide specialist support and campaign to make sure people affected by stroke get the very best care. The evening raised a total of £70.61. A fantastic evening, raising money for a very worthy cause. Well done, everyone!

Mrs Cattanach

Associate Assistant Headteacher

& Curriculum Leader for Music

48 students had an absolutely fantastic night at The Lion King in Manchester on Wednesday, 9^th November. We had superb seats in the circle and the performance mesmerised both students and staff alike. The musicians were amazing and the acting and dancing were sublime. The costumes and puppetry were so outstanding, you almost forgot the characters were real people! 

Here’s what some of our students thought:

“I was completely in awe at such a creative and artistic performance.” Grace T

“Great costumes, set and excellent voices.” Katie K

“I didn’t realise my cousin was in it but he did an amazing job, along with everyone else!”  Brenda C

“The young Simba was very good at acting his scenes and included numerous modern-day lines.”  Skye H-M

“It was great.  Five stars!” Lily-Anna J

Mrs Cattanach

Associate Assistant Headteacher and Curriculum Leader for Music

We would like to invite you to our Music and Verse Evening on Monday 17th October from 6pm in the School Hall. All proceeds will go to the Stroke Association as chosen by our Y11 GCSE Music students. Tickets are available on ParentPay and we hope you will be able to join us. 

Mrs Cattanach

Associate Assistant Headteacher and Curriculum Leader for Music