The end of the summer term saw the culmination of the Lower School Music Tasters Programme with 16 students taking either their ABRSM Grade 1 or Preparatory test. The results were a testament to their hard work with every single pupil passing the exam. The students had been learning their instruments for two years with the exams taking place at the end of Year 8.
Music teacher, Mr Slade said “Special credit must go to E Pratt, who achieved a merit on the notoriously tricky violin, and to A Steel, a then Year 7 student who not only took his clarinet Preparatory exam after just one year, but also achieved a merit in his Grade 1 singing on the same day!”
Pupil, A Steel added: "I was a bit nervous to be doing two exams but felt really excited when I went into the exam room. It was a great feeling to get a merit and I feel the experience was really worth it!"
The Lower School Music Taster Programme started when Year 7 was first introduced at the College ten years ago and the initiative has proved hugely successful. All pupils, on joining Year 7, are given an orchestral instrument on which they are then taught in small groups with specialist teachers. Current options this year include the cello, trumpet, clarinet and French horn.
There were further musical successes in other years in the ABRSM exams with H Johnston, H Wood and L Slowikowski achieving excellent merits in their singing, violin and clarinet examinations.
