Chiltern Music Academy Student Council Meeting

Chiltern Music Academy Student Council Meeting 23.09.16 at RGS, Junior Block 3rd Floor Room, 4:45 pm

Minutes

1. Those present

Megan Y12: String Orch, Chamber Music, YC, CC, ShowC Becky Y12: SO, CB, YC, ChC, ShCh, WW Chamber Music, helper for Springers Anna Y12: SO, CB, YC, CC, WW Chamber Music Hugh Y11: SymO, CB, YC, Perc Ensemble Alastair Y10: SO, YC, SC, String Orch Tilly Y8: JO, IC, Recorders Charlotte Y7: JO, IC Heidi Y8: SenO, IC, Recorders Matthew Y13: Dectet, SymO, CB, YCh Ben Y12: SymO, CB, YCh, ShCh Harry Y10: SWB, SenO, YCh, ww Chamber Music Cameron Y13: YCh, ChCh, ShCh, SymO, StrO, Guitars Rock, Senior Jazz Band Andrew Y10: SenO, SWB

2. Apologies for absence Phoebe

3. Welcome and revisiting purpose of Student Council: Sally

4. Appointment of Student Officers Matt Clark, Cameron Lamming and Anna Foo appointed as Chairs, Becky as secretary.

5. Suggestions from members - Matt: greater integration between ages in ensembles, and more student leaders in junior ensembles (Sally would like help with Junior Orchestra strings) - Cam: student led ensembles with student compositions - Anna: Youth Choir Christmas carolling, which was suggested by alumni and keep an alumni email list too - Discussed about soloists competition, but it has been replaced by a solo concert so more people will participate - Harry: get chamber music on a rota to play in the Space each week, and have opportunities for duets, and Harry has volunteered to organise this. He is going to write to the ensemble leaders, and liaise with them to establish a rota, for perhaps the 2nd and 4th weeks and create a form which he needs to email to Sally - Charlotte: could younger students sign up to play on a rota. Sally would like a CMA tutor to vet each potential performance ensemble - Potential rearranging the layout of the Space, but this could be difficult - Tilly is going to make a Student Council box for suggestions and forms for performance in the Space - Sally suggested that the first Space performance would be on Friday 14th October, the last week before we break up for half term, and then the 11th and 25th November (but existing concerts to be considered) - Harry: could an email system be established? Sally says herself, Andy, Mr & Mrs V, Alex King, The Laughtons, Mrs Novicka, Anne-Marie and Mr Tagg already all have emails. The best way to contact other staff is to email via Sally - Becky: for future tours could we change the girls’ dress code as long black shirts are really hot! - Heidi: older students could lead the younger groups; it has already started being established with front desks taking smaller string sectionals during Symphony Orchestra - We need to avoid timetable clashes, and currently it is not possible to expand our hiring times as it would involve extra cost. Sally’s inclination is to try to increase membership, rather than the number of groups to ensure it is cost viable but all suggestions will be considered! - The Student Council can help by promoting the ‘Find Your Forte’ programme to younger children to ensure we cover the rarer instruments for future orchestras and bands - Cameron: send out groups to primary schools as an outreach programme. However, Sally pointed out it can be difficult to get permission for leave of absence from schools. RGS sixth formers may be able to get out on Thursday afternoons, and maybe Fridays. It would also require a CMA member of staff. Year 13s at Wycombe High have Wednesdays completely off. Study leave would be an ideal time for us to do this, and ensure it is done professionally! - Everything is ready with the stickers, Hugh is going to liaise with Andy and hopefully they will be done in a fortnight! - Meg: have themed mufti days (e.g. Halloween, Jeans for Genes, Christmas Jumpers) - Becky: senior students volunteering on the junior tour - Harry: a band-a-thon fundraiser, but maybe not 24 hours?

6. Review of ensembles represented See above. New members to be encouraged from any ensemble not represented. We have nobody from Junior Wind Band, Junior Jazz Band, Junior Choir Harry and Anna are going to go to Junior Wind Band tomorrow to recruit new members (Year 6+) An older member can act as a representative for younger groups Tilly and Charlotte are prepared to cover Junior Strings, String Stars, Springers and Recorders (walk along D301-D306) Please would all Student Council Members to report back to their ensembles outlining ideas discussed and ask if students have any additional ideas to discuss at the next meeting.

7. Date of next meetings this academic year:

Spring Term: Friday 13th January 2017, 4:45-5:45 RGS Junior Block 3rd Floor Room

Summer Term: Saturday 29th April 2017, 11:00-12:00 WHS Music Block, Music Technology Room