OCTOBER 2020 BST Community Music Newsletter Using music to keep us connected.
MESSAGE FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
The month of October brought us our first major THIS WEEK: musical event of the term, the BST Concerto What are you listening to? 2 Competition. It was so wonderful to once again hear music resounding from every practice room. To listen Music TED Talk recommendation 4 to over three hours of exquisite music at the end of Music Department Covid-19 4 the school day was truly a joy. We are excited to share Restriction Update the results of the competition in this newsletter. BST Concerto Competition Winner 5 & Runner Up Music is still happening and bubbling away in the BST Music Interview - Wray Rogers 5 department, over Zoom, in practice rooms and the Ten Reasons to Play a Musical 7 homes of our students and BST peripatetic staff. Instrument Although we are disappointed that the events that Performances of the Month 8 form the cornerstones of our performance calendar in Term 1 such as the Christmas Carol Concert, Whole School Christmas Concert and Primary Winter Show are unable to go ahead, we will endeavour to end the term with some special performances to share with you. Please stay tuned! WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
Suggestions from Terumi Sugimoto Year 9
Avicii The Nights https://youtu.be/UtF6Jej8yb4 Wiz Khalifa ft. See You Again https://youtu.be/RgKAFK5djSk Charlie Puth FULL PLAYLIST HERE
Suggestions from Tessa Poland Year 9
Royal & the Serpent Overwhelmed https://youtu.be/kGn13Apz8Tg BTS Don’t Leave Me https://youtu.be/Cz6BUM4F2tY Britney Spears If U Seek Amy https://youtu.be/eyAJb4ItHA0 Kiiara L*** Is A Bad Word https://youtu.be/vItELeG9WIk Savages Adore https://youtu.be/Y7ZpPsaMNMM FULL PLAYLIST HERE
Suggestions from Jamie Perring Year 10
Sigala, James Arthur Lasting Lover https://youtu.be/wNMZRTROYuw Justin Bieber ft. Holy https://youtu.be/pvPsJFRGleA Chance The Rapper Sam Smith Diamonds https://youtu.be/8RvAKRoIDqU Billie Eilish When the Party's Over https://youtu.be/b6WNdcZpDhQ DJ B3LFAST Will Grigg’s on Fire https://youtu.be/fYznrXsBrjo FULL PLAYLIST HERE WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
Suggestions from Rossalyn Wilkinson Year 10
Elton John Crocodile Rock https://youtu.be/xw0EozkBWuI BØRNS Electric Love https://youtu.be/RYr96YYEaZY Queen Sail Away Sweet Sister https://youtu.be/kGXsIt4l1Tg The Beatles Here Comes The Sun https://youtu.be/KQetemT1sWc The Monkees I’m a Believer https://youtu.be/wB9YIsKIEbA FULL PLAYLIST HERE
Suggestions from Sophia Hristov Year 8
Kate Corbett How did I get here https://youtu.be/hgRC5n9Ewn8 Poppies Egghead https://youtu.be/oaWgplQ91dY The Orion Experience The Cult of Dionysus https://youtu.be/8ZcqaolcjUI Verzache Needs https://youtu.be/LsRkq5qtm7U Absofacto Dissolve https://youtu.be/xe2FPP4lX14 FULL PLAYLIST HERE WEEKLY MUSIC TED TALK
Between Music and Medicine, Robert Gupta
LINK
When Robert Gupta was caught between a career as a doctor and as a violinist, he realized his place was in the middle, with a bow in his hand and a sense of social justice in his heart. He tells a moving story of society's marginalized and the power of music therapy, which can succeed where conventional medicine fails.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT COVID-19 RESTRICTION UPDATE
Face to face peripatetic lessons will not resume after the half- term holiday on either campus.
Online lessons can be facilitated on the Showa Campus only. (*excluding woodwind / brass / singing)
All choirs across the school and ensembles involving brass and woodwind will not rehearse at school after the half-term. BST CONCERTO COMPETITION 2020 RESULTS We are pleased to reveal the results of this year’s Concerto Competition. The Winner’s prize was awarded to Wray Rogers, Year 12 (Piano) and the Runner Up prize to Ann Takashina, Year 7 (Cello). Many congratulations to Wray and Ann and we very much look forward to hearing and sharing performances by them in the near future. Wray will perform the first movement of Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No 1 (Op. 25) with the BST Secondary orchestra in Term 3.
Our guest judge, Mr Nishitani, was incredibly impressed by the musical talent across the school at BST.
Well done to all students who worked so hard to prepare their pieces and auditioned in the process.
BST MUSIC INTERVIEW WRAY ROGERS, (BST SECONDARY STUDENT AND CONCERTO COMPETITION WINNER 2020)
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE INTERVIEW! BST MUSIC INTERVIEW WRAY ROGERS, (BST SECONDARY STUDENT AND CONCERTO COMPETITION WINNER 2020)
Music Ambassadors: So you won the Concerto Competition, could you tell us a little bit about what that is and how it works? Wray: The Concerto Competition is a competition we have every year where people can audition to play as a soloist with the Orchestra.
Music Ambassadors: How long have you played the Piano for? Wray: I have played piano for about 10 years, almost 11 years.
Music Ambassadors: What sorts of music do you like? Wray: In terms of music preference I don’t have a specific genre that I particularly like but I tend to stay away from jazz.
Music Ambassadors: Which song have you chosen to share with us today? Wray: I have chosen the song, La Campanella by Liszt. I would say this is probably my favourite classical song as it’s kind of like a variation song but more structured. I really like the song and I’m playing it right now and I like that you can express yourself in both technical ways and also through myself.
Music Ambassadors: Have these songs helped you through any hard times? Wray: In music in general I think it’s really good for everyone. It helps them take their mind off stress. Maybe these songs specifically, they haven’t helped me personally but I know of people that when they’re studying, they listen to music to make it easier and if they’re going through a hard time they listen to their favourite songs or favourite band. I think that it’s really important.
Music Ambassadors: When did you first discover these songs? Wray: Well I first found these songs when I was quite young, my mum used to play the piano and I would overhear her playing and I think that personally inspired me a bit to play the piano. And I first heard these songs when I was about 8.
Music Ambassadors: Is this song your favourite song or is there another song you prefer to listen to? Wray: In terms of playing I think that’s my favourite song but listening I don’t really have a specific preference, I just listen to whatever I can.
Music Ambassadors: Why did you want to share this song with us? Wray: I think it’s one of those songs where even if you're not much of a music person, I think it’s important to know about this song and it’s one of those songs that you can overhear and you’ll kind of recognise it from somewhere. It’s a really iconic song. TEN REASONS TO PLAY A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
An interesting article from Classic FM discussing the benefits of playing a musical instrument (not that we need much convincing!)
1. Playing an instrument makes you smarter
2. Your social life will improve
3. Playing an instrument relieves stress
4. Playing an instrument gives you a sense of achievement
5. It builds your confidence
6. Practising a musical instrument improves patience
7. It helps improve your memory
8. It increases discipline and time management skills
9. Playing music makes you more creative
10. Playing music is fun!
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE! PERFORMANCES OF THE MONTH
Kai Fujimoto (6G) gives a stately performance of the Baroque favourite ‘La Follia’ by Corelli
Click here to watch!
Arno Van Cauteren (Year 12) confidently performs Bach’s Violin Concerto No.2 in E Major BWV1042 3rd Movement. Arno recently finished all 10 Suzuki books and is now on to the 11th level. Congratulations! Click here to listen!
We are loving Kei Ueda’s (1P) spirited performance of the ‘Twinkle Variations’ from the Suzuki repertoire. Click here to watch!
Maki Ueda (5P) gives a lyrical and expressive performance of ‘Romance’ by O. Rieding Click here to watch!
Baxter McCallum (Year 13) shares his atmospheric composition ‘City of Flowers’ Click here to listen!
Year 12 A Level Music students Nadya Ismail, Ken McParland and James Tonkin were given the task of aurally transcribing and performing the classic Beatles song ‘In My Life’ in one double lesson. We think they did rather well! Click here to watch! Do you have any musical news to share?
Please send information to Ms Danmeri ([email protected]).
Please also forward on any musical performances of any level to share with the BST community.