News from Elmhurst Patron HRH The Duchess of Cornwall Winter 2012-13

Welcome...

We have enjoyed an exciting start to the year, with a great sense of positivity flowing around the Elmhurst building. New students and staff have settled into school life extremely well. This year we held our first student conference day to start the year; it was a productive day during which students had the opportunity to take part in sessions on nutrition for dance, Loudmouth theatre performances based on relationships, healthier body for dance, stage make-up, child protection and e-safety, sports psychology, and relaxation. We will continue to develop these programmes throughout the year with feedback from students. These additional activities are an important aspect to the holistic approach to dance training and education Darcey is re-engaging with at Elmhurst. the Company where she We have enjoyed many press opportunities this term in started her career and wishes partnership with Birmingham Royal Ballet, including BBC West to strengthen her ties, prior Midlands, BBC One Show, Birmingham Post and Mail features. to a big announcement in I am delighted that these profile pieces are flying the Elmhurst flag; it is very rewarding to share the school with new visitors The Elmhurst Christmas activities were a little different this January next year who are always taken aback by the work ethic and abilities of year; Year 7 and 8 enjoyed Jack and the Bean Stalk at the Elmhurst students. One of the major highlights of the term for Wolverhampton Grand, Year 10 & 11 danced Salsa with Elmhurst was a visit to the school by Darcey Bussell, who is re- Thomas O’Flaherty, and Year 11 and Sixth Formers had time to engaging with Birmingham Royal Ballet where she started her enjoy the Christmas German Market in Birmingham city centre. career; when Mr Parker announced Ms Bussell’s visit to The Friends of Elmhurst very generously supported these students in assembly they took a sharp intake of breath! Dance activities for students. Royalty was in the building! The atmosphere was tinged with Thanks to parents and friends of the school for supporting our excitement, Ms Bussell was down to earth, extremely graceful annual Christmas Fayre, to Edgbaston Old Church, Mr Robson and appreciative of the students. Ms Bussell very kindly gifted and the choir for a wonderful Carol Service and to Mr Griffiths a signed copy of her new book to the school’s library, and for organising enrichment activities for students in the final enjoyed some impromptu coaching of two graduate year week of term. students – you can imagine! When Ms Bussell left for her book signing in the city centre she said she would love to return – I would like to take this opportunity to extend thanks to Mr and the students would love it if she did. Kevin Robson who is relinquishing the boarding aspect of his role to focus solely on the music department. The solos competition showcased some excellent dance performances this year. Matthew Lawrence and Elisha Willis, I am delighted to inform you that Mrs Angela Gartland will Birmingham Royal Ballet principals, judged the competition, remain in her role as Seconded Senior Leader with and reported they felt the standard was the highest yet! responsibility for the Academic Team until July 2013. We will Matthew Lawrence advised students that ‘it was about the be re-advertising for the role of Vice Principal again in January whole package, the linking steps are just as important, the use with a view to appointing for September 2013. of space, artistry and musicality’. Congratulations to this year’s I wish you and your families a very Happy Christmas, a special prize winners and thank you to the Friends of Elmhurst for time of year to be with friends and family. I look forward to organising the event. seeing you all in the New Year for even more hard work and This year’s Christmas Art competition was awarded to fun! Genevieve Heron in 6.1, you will be able to see her stunning Best wishes piece featured in this year’s Carol Service Programme. Other Jessica Ward, Principal entries were thoughtful and sophisticated with mixed media and 3D visual effect – well done to all students who put www.elmhurstdance.co.uk PAGE 1 of 6 forward their art work Dance Elmhurst Performances This second half of term proved to be a busy month for performing opportunities for the students of Elmhurst. This began on 28 October with the Molly Lake Awards which were held in Leeds and involved our Year 10 and 11 students. We are very proud to announce that six out of the ten finalists belonged to Elmhurst, and both Lucinda Strachan and Drew Jackson received runners-up prizes. It was our distinct pleasure to host a Solos Competition again to Elmhurst’s version of the special evening for the representatives of intricate Rapper Sword Dance, Jessica-Jo Coming just before Christmas, the 7th Barclay’s Wealth which took place at Marshall took us tapping through Omen, Elmhurst Solos Competition shared the Elmhurst on 15 November. The intimate and Caspar Stadler and Rebecca Jackson festive mood of the school. There was a audience consisting of Barclay’s most gave us a delightful performance of the marvellous response to the event with all important clients, were treated to a Grand pas de deux from The Nutcracker . 160 seats sold. The Christmas tree was a champagne reception followed by a focal point for Friends and guests to The judges, Elisha Willis and Matthew 60-minute dance performance, narrated catch up and mingle, prior to enjoying Lawrence, both principal dancers of by artistic director Robert Parker. The the show. Birmingham Royal Ballet, presented the programme was an eclectic mix of dance prizes to the winners. Matthew Lawrence genres and began with the show- The Friends were once again entertained said all the dancers had done an excellent stopping introduction to David Bintley’s by the students of Years 11, 6:1, 6:2 and job, pointing out to the audience how jazz ballet Orpheus , performed by the the Graduates with a wonderful display hard it is for a dancer to combine graduate-year male students. This was of virtuosity. Solos were performed from technique and artistry, and that he and followed by the dance of the cygnets Swan Lake , La Sylphide , Le Corsaire and Elisha had been impressed at the talent from Sir Peter Wright’s production of a number of other ballets and the whole on display which had made the judging Swan Lake , performed by our Year 10 event was charmingly introduced by very difficult. ladies, a jazz piece by resident jazz Robert Parker. teacher Jenny MacNamara entitled Body Copies of Darcey Bussell’s A Life in Robert commended the hard work of the Rockers , and a traditional English folk Pictures , donated by The Friends, were students and their teachers and welcomed dance from the pit villages of Tyneside presented to the winners. the special guests Desmond Kelly, David entitled Rapper Sword, set by ex-Royal Bintley, and Marco Batti (Director of Year 11 Paige Bestington, Drew Jackson Ballet soloist and original Bow Street Balletto Di Siena) saying that their Year 6:1 Rosanna Ely, Dean Ruston Rapper, Simon Rice. Other performances attendance would mean so much to the Year 6:2 Riho Majima, Yujin Muraishi included the Don Quixote and Bluebird students, in particular the return of Graduate year: Eri Nishibara, Taylor Clow pas de deux , and a sensational tap solo Desmond. choreographed and performed by Jessica- Jessica Ward thanked the audience of Jo Marshall. The show culminated with The first half of the programme Friends for their continuing support and the Flamenco piece seen at the 2012 comprised 12 solos danced by the Year 11 briefly detailed the various purchases Summer show entitled Café Garcia . The students and ten by Year 6:1. made possible in 2012 and how they had enhanced student life. With the help of a feedback from the audience members was The interval provided an opportunity for generous audience the raffle raised £470. extremely positive, all marvelling at the the judges to confer - the audience to The two winners left with a £100 token to talents and versatility of our students. We enjoy refreshments and gather their be spent at John Lewis/ Waitrose and a also invited local production company thoughts for the final part of the Balvenie Founders Reserve single malt Boiler House Media to the school to film competition. the event as part of a wider promotional whisky, courtesy of a wonderful Friend video for the school. The second half of the programme Mr Brian Warburton. comprised of eight solos danced by 6:2 The students were given an opportunity The evening ended in good spirits as it students and a final eight solos danced to repeat their success to an audience of had begun, having seen and appreciated by students of the graduate year. nearly 100 general practitioners on the development of these young artists Wednesday 5 December. This corporate Whilst the judges retired for their final competing in their own right for the event was also held at Elmhurst and considerations Abigail Baker and Lydia honour of winning a place in this hosted by the Priory hospital. Holt performed variations from the Molly prestigious Elmhurst event. Lake Award, Year 11 boys treated us once

www.elmhurstdance.co.uk PAGE 2 of 6 Forthcoming events Concerto , Las Hermanas and Requiem . It was inspiring to watch 2010 graduate On 10 January Sixth Form male students Nicol Edmonds performing in Requiem in will be performing a section from David his first season with the company. Bintley’s The Orpheus Suite at the Birmingham Cathedral: On Saturday 17 International Convention Centre November, lower school students were Birmingham in front of an invited invited to a special one-off performance audience performing alongside dancers featuring the Royal Ballet Sinfonia and the from Birmingham Royal Ballet. Birmingham Cathedral Choir. Held at Furthermore, on 26 January Sixth Form Birmingham Cathedral, the programme students will perform the Humboldt’s consisted of Tchaikovsky’s Fantasy Birmingham Royal Ballet, the company Hognosed Skunk Flea section from David Overture Romeo and Juliet , Symphony No. with whom she started her career, and she Bintley’s ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café at 5 in E minor, and John Rutter’s Gloria . spent time at Elmhurst giving press and Symphony Hall as part of Birmingham Conducted by Koen Kessels and Marcus television interviews. Two of our graduate Royal Ballet’s and the Royal Ballet Huxley, the event was enjoyed immensely students, Rebecca Jackson and Casper Sinfonia’s Evening of Music and Dance. by all who attended. Stadler, were extremely fortunate to Tickets can be purchased directly from Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Cinderella: On receive an impromptu coaching session on Symphony Hall. Wednesday 21 November, the school was the Nutcracker pas de deux they were treated to an evening at Birmingham rehearsing for an outreach event in Athens Careers planning Hippodrome to watch David Bintley’s over Christmas. Rebecca reflected on her popular Cinderella . The performance was As part of the Careers programme for the experience, ‘Darcey walked into the studio extra special as it included students from spring term, we will be hosting meetings and it was very surreal, we weren't the school. Some of our 6:2 and graduate for parents of Year 9, 10 and 6:1 students expecting to see her! She was so lovely. men have been working with the company tied into the dates for Parent Teacher We introduced ourselves and she asked us for the run of performances, as have some Consultations: what we were rehearsing. When we told of our Year 7 and 8 girls. All have enjoyed her it was Nutcracker she got very excited Year 9: Transition to Key Stage 4 – Friday their time working with the company and and asked to see some of it. I was really 25 January were extremely grateful for the nervous, it's not every day Darcey Bussell Year 10: Planning your Futures – Friday opportunity. asks you to dance for her! She gave me 15 February some really useful corrections which I can 6:1: Preparation for Auditions – Thursday Visit by Mikaela Polley apply to my dancing. I hope she comes 28 March The school was extremely fortunate to again. That would be fantastic!’ The Year 10 students will also be invited to receive a visit by Rambert Dance attend the Move It event at London Company’s Mikaela Polley. An ex-dancer ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café Olympia on Friday 8 March. This is an with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Mikaela We are delighted to announce that we informative exhibition about the range of joined Rambert in 2001 as a dancer and have been given permission for our Upper vocational schools, companies and options choreographer. In 2008 she made the School students to perform David Bintley’s for careers, which should hopefully enrich transition to full-time Rehearsal Director, celebrated masterpiece ‘Still Life’ at the their understanding of the dance industry. yet has found time to choreograph works Penguin Café for our 2013 Summer show. for the ROH2 and Ballet Central. She Choreographed and first performed for the delivered a 90-minute workshop with our Theatre visits Royal Ballet at Covent Garden in 1988, graduate students and introduced them to this innovative ballet with its foot-tapping Bathsheva Company: On 13 November, her method of choreography; this required score by Simon Jeffes raises awareness of our Year 11 and Upper School students their own creative input, which the environment and conservational issues had the great pleasure of watching a students found both stimulating and through the depiction of endangered performance by the Bathsheva Ensemble rewarding. We are hoping that Mikaela species from the animal kingdom. The dance company. In their first-ever visit to will return to the school to choreograph a ballet was filmed for television in 1991 the UK, this younger wing of the piece for our 2013 Summer show. internationally acclaimed Israeli and featured narration by Jeremy Irons. It has been a GCSE resource for critical contemporary company, described by the Visit by Darcey Bussell San Francisco Chronicle as ‘Acrobats of appreciation on the National Curriculum God’, featured choreography by the 22 November was a very special day for for years and this provides us with the internationally renowned choreographer, Elmhurst. Retired Royal Ballet Principal opportunity for cross-faculty engagement Ohad Naharin. Delivering a jaw-dropping and star of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and scope to engage with the subject performance, this unique company had a Darcey Bussell paid a visit to the school. matter on various whole-school projects. profound effect on the students. Arguably one of the greatest ballerinas of Royal Opera House: On Friday 16 all time and now TV celebrity, Darcey was November the 6:1 and 6:2 students visited in Birmingham for a book signing event at the Royal Opera House to watch the Royal the Burlington Hotel to promote the Ballet rehearsing a triple bill of ballets launch of her photographic book. Darcey PAGE 3 of 6 choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan: is currently strengthening her ties with underground mine. The mine highlighted Carols around the tree Learn the conditions that had to be endured by Carols around the tree is a very informal those who worked there. It is always but festive part of the last week of term. It Year 9 trip to the Black Country striking just how dark it is and how low provides a great opportunity to present some of the working areas were. There was Living Museum some of the items that will be included in also a fair amount of water on the day we the carol service as a kind of performance On a very wet Wednesday 21 November visited! Next we went inside to the Cradley rehearsal and allows many of the school’s Year 9 visited the Black Country Living Heath Workers’ Institute to find out about junior ensembles and performers to present Museum. The museum tells the story of the Mary MacArthur, who campaigned for their work to the school and guests. life-styles, cultures, traditions and industry equal pay for women. Then we headed of the people living in the Black Country down into the centre of the re-created village to enter Gregory’s general store. Robson Piano Duo Performance We all just about managed to get inside 12 February 2013 the shop and the shopkeeper told us about The Robson Piano Duo will be performing her products. It was just like stepping back again at the school on 12 February at in time and certainly very different from 7.30pm in the school theatre. The modern-day supermarkets! After this we performance will be to raise funds for the made our way to the chainmaker’s guest artist programme that has seen workshop. After lunch we took a canal international artists like Victor Sangiorgio, boat ride on the Dudley canal and into the and Philip Martin perform at the school. caverns. Once inside the caverns there was The programme will last around an hour a spectacular display with lights and and will include preludes by George music. On the return journey two of the Gershwin and excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s students were responsible for successfully famous ballet, The Sleeping Beauty (arr. legging the boat through part of the Rachmaninoff). Tickets will be £5.00. tunnel. After visiting several other attractions in the village we entered the school room for a typical Edwardian Philip Martin: Piano Recital school lesson – the year was now 1912! 20 November 2012, report by It is interesting to see how many changes Mr Kevin Robson have been made in the past 100 years. The music department at Elmhurst School After a very well-behaved class was was delighted to welcome international dismissed, we headed back to the visitor concert pianist and composer Philip Martin centre ready to leave. on 20 November for a piano recital in the theatre. Despite recent serious illness, Carol Service, report by Mr Kevin Robson Philip was determined to continue with his All the school’s larger ensembles extremely busy schedule of concerts in the performed at this year’s Carol Service at UK and Europe. Edgbaston Old Church. The Elmhurst The recital began with three Waltzes by School Choir, made up of over half of the Chopin and two Impromptu, the second school student body, led the singing, being the famous Fantasy Impromptu. performing music by the famous English These master salon pieces provided a composer John Rutter. Other familiar delightful opening and flashes of the ensembles presented a range of other pyrotechnical display that was to follow. musical items by composers such as Coccini, Handel and Mozart. A selection of the wonderfully evocative from 1850 to 1950. It is the story of things and colourful second book of preludes by Many of the school’s instrumental teachers being made as well as lives being led. Debussy was to follow, including ‘La again led the way with ensemble Historically, the Black Country played a Puerta del vino’, ‘General Lavine, rehearsals, supported by myself and Mr vital role in the nation’s industrial history. eccentric’, ‘Bruyeres’ and ‘Feux d'artifice’, John Robson, and I am extremely grateful This was the world’s first industrial the latter very much living up to its title of for the free time and effort they give to landscape and one of the most intensely fireworks! Philip chose these preludes as he support this event. I am also extremely industrialised regions of the UK. The felt they demonstrated extreme contrasts grateful to the Elmhurst graduate-year museum has relocated buildings from and this was indeed the case, a mixture of students that continue to support the across many small towns in the region into exquisite sonorities and breathtaking school’s extra-curricular activities despite the canal-side village. virtuosity. their extremely busy schedules. The day tour took in a lot of the sites and Louis Moreau Gottschalk was next on the we started off by visiting the replica programme. The colourful 19th-century www.elmhurstdance.co.uk PAGE 4 of 6 composer was the first American pianist/composer to rival the great European composers of the day. Hardly a surprise inclusion in Philip’s programme as he is the only pianist in the world to have recorded Gottschalk’s complete works for piano. Again, contrast was the order of the day with the very lyrical miniature ‘solitude’ again demonstrating extreme sensitivity and dynamic grading being juxtaposed with the transcendental Op. 5 piece ‘The Banana Tree’. Philip is not only internationally regarded as a pianist, he has many hundreds of his own pieces published in several countries including three piano concertos and larger scale works and a collection of some three hundred songs. It was with five of his most recent creations, ‘Five Nocturnes’ Live (2012) that brought calm and contemplative relief from the bravura of Deck the Halls with stalls of jolly… the Gottschalk. These were from a similar Saturday 8 December saw the third sound world to the Debussy preludes with annual Elmhurst Christmas Fayre take a hint of the jazz harmony to come in the place, and it proved to be the most Gershwin song transcriptions. Philip’s successful to date. The Fayre was held in programme of activities each Sunday, to final composition to be presented was the the main school foyer where many include an on-site activity, a local option bombastic New York Nights (2006). Philip Elmhurst Associate students and parents and, on most weekends, a trip. Students explained his love of New York and his were able to join in the fun. One of the will then be able to choose from a variety penchant for the stereotypical view of this most popular stalls was the student-run of options to suit their tastes and great non-stop city and the work’s café, where students sold hot drinks and preferences. Houseparents will be in touch perpetual speed, blaring accents and bi- homemade cakes, there was also a very regarding the programme of activities tonal harmony perfectly captured the popular chocolate fountain. All the money available and to alert you when a trip is feeling of a ‘city that never sleeps’. raised at the café will be used to help fund forthcoming. You should already have Finally, with such a great exponent and a variety of whole-school entertainments, heard about the trip to Star City on 20 champion of American music, it was such as the start-of-term whole-school January. As you have already consented hardly surprising that Philip chose disco. There were also several other new to weekend activities via the Annual arguably the most symbolic American stalls this year, including a book and CD Agreement to School’s Policies and composer of all time, George Gershwin, to stall run by Mortimer boys, three Procedures booklet which you should bring the recital to its conclusion. A handmade jewellery and craft items and have completed and returned at the start quick-fire selection of greatest hits Tom’s Tombola. As well as these new of the academic year, there will be no included famous tunes like ‘The Man I stalls many of the regular stalls were also need for consent forms for trips unless Love’, ‘Somebody Loves Me’, ’Sweet Low there, including Hetherington’s nail bar deemed higher risk activities (e.g. Down’, ‘Liza’ and ‘I Got Rhythm’. Again, and face painting, and Fisher’s bric-a-brac paintballing). Students will continue to there was wonderful contrast here and stall and raffle. All proved very popular as have the option of going home at the magnificent shaping of melody and evidenced by the long lines of people weekend following RAD classes. We hope phrasing. At times the sound world queuing up to buy items. All in all it was this will offer a wider variety of activities created resembled that of a big band a great day, and remember there’s fewer for students to enjoy and enable students rather than a stand-alone piano. than 361 days until the next one, so start to mix with peers outside their friendship preparing now! groups who share common interests. The recital was extremely well supported by students, staff and guests, and it was a great honour to welcome such an Weekend Activities – Spring Term Thank you Friends of Elmhurst internationally respected artist to perform 2012 The Friends of Elmhurst continue to be a for us at Elmhurst School. In order to improve the variety of great source of support to the School. We weekend activities on offer for your son / would particularly like to thank them for daughter we have changed the way in their recent donations of a variety of which these will be organised slightly. All equipment to support the training and houses will be offered the same education of students. They were recently PAGE 5 of 6 generous enough to fund portable barres to reduced and we look to expand student enable us to create ‘pop-up’ training spaces in numbers. We are, therefore, looking for the school theatre and when students are additional funding to assist some 30 Sixth training or performing away from the school. Form students each year to be the most They were also able to offer funding to support versatile and employable of performers and Library developments, including new choreographers on their graduation. The equipment and iPads to assist dance training annual cost of this support will be (through filming rehearsals and to access film approximately £150,000. of relevant repertoire), as well as to fund If you would like to support Elmhurst's Christmas and New Year celebrations for the commitment to providing outstanding dance students. 2012-13 DIARY and academic programmes to students, based on their talent and regardless of their personal SPRING TERM 2013 Fundraising and circumstances, please contact Guy Oddy Boarders return: 6 January Term begins: 7 January ([email protected]) for further Development Leave Out: 26 & 27 January Guy Oddy, our new Fundraising and details of our Corps Support and Artistic Half Term: 16 – 24 February Development Officer, joined us at the Support programmes. Your support will be Boarders return: 24 February beginning of November and has already been gratefully received, as will your commitment Leave Out: 8 (midday) – 10 March End of Term: 28 March (midday) working on funding proposals to support the to the future of classical ballet in Birmingham and the UK. Elmhurst Associate Programme, bursaries for SUMMER TERM 2013 Sixth Form students and the construction of a Boarders return: 16 April Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) on the Easy Support! Term begins: 17 April Elmhurst campus. If you haven’t done so already, please sign up Leave Out: 4 – 6 May Half Term: 25 May – 2 June to EasyFundraising and EasySearch to support The Associate Programme is looking to Boarders return: 2 June develop Elmhurst’s weekend, classical ballet Elmhurst. We’ve already raised over £100, with Leave Out: 22 & 23 June (Lower training for young people (aged 8-11 years) in no real effort at all! It’s an incredibly easy way School only) End of Term: 12 July Birmingham, Manchester, Sunderland and to raise money for the school, simply by Plymouth. We are keen to continue to use this shopping online in your usual stores, but initiative to identify exceptional, local talent accessing these stores through the To keep up to date with and to encourage talented young ballet EasyFundraising site. Elmhurst news and events dancers (many of whom would not be 1. Simply go to www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/elmhurstd during term-time, visit otherwise identified) to audition for full-time, www.elmhurstdance.co.uk vocational training in Elmhurst School at age ance and sign up. Then use EasyFundraising to 11. As part of the programme, students are shop with over 2000 well-known retailers, offered the opportunity to purchase subsidised including Amazon, Argos, eBay and John tickets for Birmingham Royal Ballet Lewis. It won't cost you any more, but performances in their home cities and also to whenever you buy something the retailer will attend a weekend-long gathering in donate money to Elmhurst via Birmingham. We have already attracted EasyFundraising. You just need to remember £59,447 from the Department for Education to enter the shopping sites via the but need a further £10,000 to fully fund this EasyFundraising site. programme for 2013/14. 2. go to elmhurstdance.easysearch.org.uk and bookmark the page for when you want to The Multi-Use Games Area will offer our search on-line. Every time you use EasySearch students an outdoor space where they can you will raise money for Elmhurst. develop the individual stamina and fitness levels required by modern dance choreographers, in a safe environment, while encouraging team-building and leadership- The Elmhurst Way development opportunities. It will also give them a space where they can relax and have fun after the rigours of a day of classical ballet training! To date we have raised £5,000 towards this project but need a further £65,000 before construction can start. The Elmhurst Bursary Fund presently helps a number of students who struggle with the costs of their training and we are keen to be able to increase this support as we are aware The Elmhurst Way: pictures by Annika Amos that government funding is likely to be PAGE 6 of 6