Autumn Term Music Roundup

What a musical term!

ABRSM

We are an ABRSM centre and in December, ABRSM examiners visited the school to adjudicate practical exams in our choir room. Practical music exams are a fantastic way to motivate children to work from a progressive syllabus. Fifteen children from Years 2-6 took music exams in a range of instruments (piano, bassoon, clarinet, violin, voice and singing for musical theatre) from the Initial Grade to Grade 6. The results were outstanding with eight children receiving distinctions and four achieving merits.

Informal Concerts

We were delighted to be able to reinstate our autumn informal concert programme. Informal concerts take place in the wonderful Reigate Grammar recital studio and are open to all children in Years 3 to 6 who are learning a musical instrument. The concerts are designed to be relaxed to give the children invaluable experience of performing in front of an audience. Two concerts took place on one evening as we had so many children who were keen to play. The standard was extremely high, a wonderful reflection of the children’s hard work and resilience by continuing their musicianship during lockdown.

Choirs and Ensembles

Our school choirs are always extremely popular and there is always space for anyone who would like to sing. In the autumn term the weekly rehearsals for the Years 1&2 and Years 3&4 choirs took place after school and the Year 5&6 choir rehearsed at lunchtime. Ensembles are a really enjoyable way for children to develop their instrumental skills. 

Christmas Performances

It was a wonderfully musical Christmas at RSM with every child taking part in a performance. Although parents were unable to watch in person due to COVID restrictions, films of the shows enabled them to enjoy the festive cheer from home instead.

Green Shoots Singalong – our littlest children in Green Shoots sang a lovely medley of Christmas songs. They worked very hard to learn all the words.

Snowman at Sunset – the Kindergarten and Reception children performed fantastically in their very first nativity. They spoke clearly and sang beautifully, it was a festive treat to watch!

Little Angel Gets her Wings – Year 1&2 put on a dazzling show about a little angel’s journey to Bethlehem. All the children had worked extremely hard to learn the words and songs and their performances were outstanding.

The Upper School Christmas Concert was a delightful mix of singing and dancing. The individual and group performances were of an extremely high standard and the children were excited to be back on stage again.