Charlotte Nisbet

Recently i have been listening to a variety of music, from all kinds of pop music, musicals, rock to classic. The other day i had a quick listen of a few clarinet pieces which i will be learning in September. Listening to a variety of music will help me to study music and understand it better. Also it will help with performing because it will show me how other people have shown their abilites in that genre.

Jonny watson

Over the summer holidays I have practiced hard for the English championships solo piping competion which will take place on the 3rd September 2011 at Chatsworth house. I played and spectated at the World Pipe Band Championships on the 13th August at Glasgow Green. I also stayed in Glasgow for that week for the International piping festival.

Alice Bickerdike

Still preparing for my cello exam I have been spending more and more time learning the pieces that I have been given. I have now learn two of them off by heart ( Seranade and Accuratley Accented Accidental Accident ) which I am quite proud of. I have also been going through the songs that I may be doing for a possible singing exam ( His Name - Piece the musical , Everything Else - Next to Normal , My Party Dress - Henry and Mudge and also Stars and the Moon - Jason Robert Brown ) making sure that I know them ready for my first singing lesson once we go back to school. I have spent time trying to get these right so it is clear to my teachers when I come back to my lessons that I have done some practice over the holidays :)

Alice Bickerdike

Throughout these holidays I have really got back into playing my Cello regularly. I have been trying to improve my sight reading and the overall way I play ready for my exam next year. I have read back through my practice diary and re-read all of the notes I had been given and have put effort in to try and take them all on board and remember the important things like a high wrist and a 'big sound!'
I can now actually recognise the notes I am playing a little faster than before and I think i am actually improving :)
I have worked on being able to getting my bowing right. Practicing joining notes together in one bow and still having a strong sound is the thing i needed to work on most, and also not forgetting when my notes must be joined so that i don't get my bowing all backwards! I think i have improved on this.
Also I have been trying to stay in tune all the time and make sure that I can recognise when I have done something not quite right and then correct it without stopping. I have been trying to improve listening to the sounds i make when I am playing in more detail so I know exactly what it is I am doing wrong. I have tried to practice changing strings and fingers quickly to help learn where I need to be to stay in tune all the way through a piece.

George Backhouse

Readying myself for my Grade 5 ABRSM vocal exam later this year, I have practiced my pieces regularly - I Attempt From Love's Sickness, Trauer Der Lieber, On The Street Where You Live and Turtle Dove. The ABRSM exam board specialise in Classical music, so it is important to learn specific techniques inorder to gain higher marks. These techniques include being able to get through whole phrases in one breath, so you need to work on breath control i.e. I take a big breath and slowly release it so the sound 'shh'.

George Backhouse

As most of you already know music if my life. Throughout the holidays, I don't think I've skipped a day from playing piano or singing, so far. At the begining of the holidays, Whitcliffe Mount and the feeder Middle Schools put on a production of FAME, therefore the whole cast including me were rehearsing for three full days with help from the production team Learn To Rock. Inorder to produce an authentic character, it is important to practice your lines and how you will present yourself to the audience. This is achieved by continuously repeating lines and learning how to emphasise words and show emotions.
The performance was a huge success and was a superb experience to be a part of.
The whole cast throughly enjoyed themselves... A great start to the holidays!!!

BTEC BLOG WRITING

Hi,
Just a reminder that you my BTEC group need to log in to this site using the details I have given you. You then need to click on 'view blog', from there select 'new post' (top right).
Make the title your name and then add to the box below:
You should be including anything new and musical you have done, either practice or listening or even skills based. Remember the more detail you give the better your grade!
Once you've finished select 'Publish Post' - then you're done!

Get blogging!!
Miss Glaholm