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It has been a busy and exciting start to the Academy year in the Music Department. We started the year with the fantastic news that our bid to Restore the Music was successful and we have been lucky enough to receive £20000 to spend on instruments and equipment. It has been a lot like an early Christmas with packages arriving left,right and centre including a four new digital pianos, new midi keyboards for the music tech room, headphones, mics and a new audio interface for the recording studio, jam hubs for all band practice rooms, amps and new orchestral instruments.  The Steel Pans are on order and we are hoping they will be delivered soon so the distinctive sound can echo round the Academy, brightening up the cold winter days. Information about Steel Pan lessons and instrumental lessons on trumpet, trombone, flute, clarinet and sax will be sent out after half term.  Students have already been enjoying using the new equipment and improved space in the music department in curriculum lessons as well as at lunchtime and after school.
Students have also had a number of opportunities to take part in workshops and performances.  Select students in Year 9 and 10 participated in workshops with Arts Train on 13th and 20th September.  The workshops were led by three fantastic professional musicians and students worked on songs about wellbeing.  Four students are now participating in further intensive rehearsals over half term with Arts Train ready for a performance at the Southbank Centre on 26th November. We can’t wait to see them performing in such a prestigious venue as part of the London Jazz Festival.  

Our Year 8 band( Jonas - Piano, Tobias - Bass, John - Drums and Kitty – Guitar) wowed all the prospective parents at Open Evening in the music department along with Ayfer Y9 playing piano in the entrance hall; this was an amazing feat, performing almost constantly for over 2 hours.

On Friday 7th October our rock band ’The Valkyries’ had the opportunity to perform their songs for the Black History Month celebration for the BBC. The performances were shown on BBC London News at 18:30 and the students not only performed brilliantly but were also very articulate about their reasons for choosing the songs and the importance of music and Black History Month.

On Friday 14th October Nazai, Jacob and Amaziah performed at the Harris Federation day at the Excel Centre in a choir which combines students form all the Harris academies.  This was a big occasion and the students have been working hard in rehearsals at Harris Peckham to learn the songs.  They performed to over 4000 teachers!

After half term on Thursday 3rd November we will be celebrating the end of Black History Month with a spectacular celebration of music, drama, dance and art. Doors open at 6pm with the show starting at 6.30pm. Tickets will be available via parent pay, £2 concessions and £3 adults.