26th November 2024Musical Excellence
Autumn 2024 update
Welcome back! As always, the Music Department has had a busy first term of events, which this year have celebrated individual student successes. In October, Euan (Y11) was a finalist in the Canterbury Festival Bursary Competition. He was the only non-Classical musician in the competition and was one of only two state school participants (out of a programme of seven students). Euan saw off fierce competition to win second place, a prize that was given to him as the judges could not decide who should win – well done Euan!
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There was further Y11 success in the Canterbury Festival, with Y11 band FRET participating in Contraband, which is specifically designed to showcase bands from educational establishments across Kent. The boys played exceptionally well, the only jazz band in a sea of rockers! Another valuable experience!
At the end of term, Y11 also took part in the traditional GCSE recital concert. All played and sung very well, including one student whose performance nerves had prevented her from singing in front of friends, let alone in public! The class were understandably very proud of each other and showed their support all the way through the concert.
Summer 2024 update
The Music Department was delighted to again be asked to play at the Kent MS Centre in Canterbury for their annual afternoon tea. This year, they were celebrating the 40th anniversary of the centre and Y10 band FRET provided light jazz to accompany the scones!
It was really interesting to hear how the centre was founded and about all the work that they do. Euan (guitar) was even asked if he could play Classical Gas from memory (he could!). To find out more about the Kent MS Centre please visit their website:
The summer term has been dominated by sunshine and performing arts as both the Music and Drama departments have been preparing for the annual production of Guys and Dolls. This production involved over 60 students from across the school, in both on and off stage roles. The show ran for 3 nights in July (and successfully competed with some football) and was one of the best productions that we have ever produced. A huge thank you goes to Miss Postgate, Ms Fenn, Mr Reynolds and all the other staff and students involved – we can’t do it without you!
Summer Showcase 2024 - Guys and Dolls - Latest News - Barton Court Grammar School
Next year’s production will be We Will Rock You!
Spring 2024 update
The department began the Spring term by celebrating the success of soloists, through our Young Musician of the Year competition. This was hotly contested, featuring students from across Year 7 and Year 8. Congratulations to Francisk (Year 8) who took the top prize. Older students were also celebrated this term, with two students being put forward for the KGSMA piano competition final. Charles (Y11) and Rio (Y13) played superbly and Rio came second overall. She also went on to win the Ashford School Piano Competition later in the year. Congratulations Rio!
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In school, students were excited to participate in the annual Spring concert, which again showcased school ensembles, small groups and soloists from across all year groups. This was another sold out event, with students really showcasing all the hard work they have been putting into rehearsals. It also marked the end of pariticpation in school concerts for several music department stalwarts and Ms Fenn would particularly like to thank Ben and Rio for their excellent contributions over the years!
Winter 2023 update
After half term, preparations were in full swing for a busy programme of Christmas events, including the annual Carol Service, Winter concert and music for Awards Evening. The Carol Service is one of the highlights of the musical year and featured over 70 musicians from across the school. All school ensembles participated in the Winter Concert, with student numbers in the high 80s. This was a sold out event. Selected highlights of our Winter programme can be found here:
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Autumn 2023 update
What a busy term it has been for the Music Department! In October, talented students from Year 11 performed solo pieces to a supportive audience of friends and family, in order to prepare them for their final performance submissions later in the year. All students from the GCSE group performed, with some playing/singing in public for the first time. This event really set the tone for the upcoming year. At the end of term, students from across the school were invited to participate in the Canterbury Festival School’s Concert series. This was a really well attended event and we were delighted to welcome the Barton Manor Djembe Group as the opening act.
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Summer 2023 update
The summer term has been busy for the music department, with GCSE and A level students recording their final performances and submitting their compositions. The A level group held a performance recital at the end of March which was warmly received by both friends and family that attended. Fingers crossed for the results! A level and Y9 students were also involved in local community coronation celebrations, with a small group playing at the Kent MS Centre Coronation Afternoon Tea.
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The music and drama departments have also been working closely together over the last few terms on this year’s school production (‘The Addams Family’). This production is featuring students across all year groups, including Y7s from Barton Manor. Please click on the link below for information about the production and how to purchase tickets.
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Spring 2023 update
As the dust settled after a successful (and busy!) Christmas period for the department, we went straight into preparing for February’s BCAT Young Musician of the Year competition, featuring students in Y7 and Y8 from Barton Court, alongside Y7s students from Barton Manor. This was a well attended event, with a total of 19 students performing, some in public for the very first time! The judges had a difficult time choosing the winners, but congratulations go to Francisk (3rd place, Y7), Martha (2nd place, Y8) and Charles (1st place, Y8). A special mention should also go to Fraser (Barton Manor), who played his trombone in public for the first time, after only having lessons for three months – what bravery!
At the end of March, the department hosted the annual Spring Concert, showcasing ensembles, small groups and soloists from across the school community. All of the performances were warmly received by parents and featured ensembles such as the orchestra, choir, jazz band, string group and the inaugural performance of the Barton Manor band. A special mention should go to the music department prefects (Ruby and Reuben) who helped throughout the entire evening and were very positive role models for the younger students.
Winter 2022 update
The winter term is always busy for the music department and this year was no exception! The highlight of the music calendar is the annual carol service in Canterbury Cathedral, which is attended by the whole school and parents. The ensembles featured were the orchestra, string group, choir (including Barton Manor students), chamber choir, brass ensemble, chamber ensemble and woodwind ensemble. All groups contained students from across the school and their performances were thoughtful and very well executed. We were also pleased to welcome the Lord Mayor of Canterbury to this event and she was very impressed with the event as a whole. Please click on the link below for some musical highlights of the service:
After the carol service, the department also hosted the annual winter concert, which alongside repertoire from the carol service, featured several of our popular music ensembles including Y9 band, Y10 band, jazz band and a 6th form/staff band (Feliz Navidad!). This was another sold out event; please click the link below to listen to some selected highlights:
In February, the department was pleased to welcome a class of Y5 students for a G+T session. The students were incredibly enthusiastic and demonstrated excellent levels of instrumental and vocal skills. We ended the session with a spirited rendition of Tequila! We hope to see these students again for more transition events in 2023.
Autumn 2022 update
The department stepped back into music making with a bang in September, with the start of all extra curricular activities. We were also pleased to welcome our new Y7 cohort, many of whom are commencing instrumental or vocal lessons in term 1. We were also delighted with the arrival of our new (old!) Bechstein grand piano, which is being well used (and well loved) by students and staff alike.
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The department was also very pleased to be involved in the Canterbury Festival again this year, firstly with Y13 and Y9 students performing on the Beautiful Noise busking stage on a Saturday morning as Westgate Hall. Then, we returned to Westgate Hall the following Monday, to perform in the school’s lunchtime series of concerts. As always, this featured our flagship ensembles and students from across all year groups, including Y7s from Barton Manor. The department was very proud of their achievements, especially considering how early in the year the concert took place.
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At the end of Term 1, Y11 students put on a performance recital for friends and family, in order to get them into ‘GCSE performance mode’. This was a really successful event and the students performed very well.
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The department also commemorated Remembrance Day, with one of our Y10 cornet players offering to play a poignant Last Post.
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