July 2017 - Downs Infant School Concert
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July 2017 - Summer Fair
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March 2017 - BOTB Final
VIDEOS & PHOTOS
If you have photos or videos that you're happy to share, please email them (attach or via a cloud link) to Miss Rusbatch. Thank you.
WANT TO WATCH? CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO LINK
Many Thanks to the Judges
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Alix Penfold
Alix runs BIMM Academy - a rock school for 7-16 year olds. Alix is a professional vocalist and manages her own live music function band. She has 16 years of live gigging experience to her name, having worked with performers such as Jessie J, Dane Bowers, Mark Knopfler, Jocelyn Brown and Gwen Dickie.
Adam Parker
Adam works for Nickelodeon UK. He is currently Series Producer for the football show Nick Kicks. He has also filmed a range of music and entertainment events for Nickelodeon. He has been lucky enough to work with many celebrities over the years and cannot wait to add the stars of Downs Junior School's Battle of the Bands to that list!
Kelly Westlake
Kelly Westlake presents both the early evening new music show and the Sunday breakfast show on Brighton’s Juice 107.2 radio. She has also been a singing teacher at Sussex Stagecoach schools, a lead vocalist in the Brighton Goes Gospel choir, a backing vocalist in a band managed by Matt Lucas of ‘Little Britain’ fame, plus she reviews gigs for ‘The Latest’ magazine. She is a big advocate of singing and of music-making generally and feels very honoured to be on the Battle of the Bands judging panel.
Rob Grice
Rob is one fifth of the psychedelic pop band Octopuses; they have recently been enjoying regular air play on BBC radio 6 music. They have just teamed up with Green Party MP Caroline Lucas and naturalist Chris Packham to spread the word about their latest single 'Not the Bees' - hoping to raise awareness and support for the plight of the humble honey bee. Rob has appeared regularly on the Brighton music scene for many years now and has enjoyed many years of touring; supporting bands like 'The Egg' and punk rockers 'The Buzzcocks'.
Philippa Alexander
Phillipa is a singer, song-writer, producer and voiceover artist. As a session singer she has performed and collaborated with many other talented acts, including the Lo Fidelity Allstars, Indian Ropeman, Modaji, Defected Records, Blackgrass and Hardkandy. She has an established career as a voice over artist and her clients include: Playstation, X-box, L’Oréal, Britney Spears Perfume, Lynx, Aquafresh, Kellogg’s, and Lynx. Her character voices can be heard on CBeebies, Moshi Monsters, Chuggington. As part of a song-writing duo (Chicks with Hits) they have written songs that are now being heard on hit US TV shows (Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill, Men in Trees), European pop chart radio and international commercials.
Alix runs BIMM Academy - a rock school for 7-16 year olds. Alix is a professional vocalist and manages her own live music function band. She has 16 years of live gigging experience to her name, having worked with performers such as Jessie J, Dane Bowers, Mark Knopfler, Jocelyn Brown and Gwen Dickie.
Adam Parker
Adam works for Nickelodeon UK. He is currently Series Producer for the football show Nick Kicks. He has also filmed a range of music and entertainment events for Nickelodeon. He has been lucky enough to work with many celebrities over the years and cannot wait to add the stars of Downs Junior School's Battle of the Bands to that list!
Kelly Westlake
Kelly Westlake presents both the early evening new music show and the Sunday breakfast show on Brighton’s Juice 107.2 radio. She has also been a singing teacher at Sussex Stagecoach schools, a lead vocalist in the Brighton Goes Gospel choir, a backing vocalist in a band managed by Matt Lucas of ‘Little Britain’ fame, plus she reviews gigs for ‘The Latest’ magazine. She is a big advocate of singing and of music-making generally and feels very honoured to be on the Battle of the Bands judging panel.
Rob Grice
Rob is one fifth of the psychedelic pop band Octopuses; they have recently been enjoying regular air play on BBC radio 6 music. They have just teamed up with Green Party MP Caroline Lucas and naturalist Chris Packham to spread the word about their latest single 'Not the Bees' - hoping to raise awareness and support for the plight of the humble honey bee. Rob has appeared regularly on the Brighton music scene for many years now and has enjoyed many years of touring; supporting bands like 'The Egg' and punk rockers 'The Buzzcocks'.
Philippa Alexander
Phillipa is a singer, song-writer, producer and voiceover artist. As a session singer she has performed and collaborated with many other talented acts, including the Lo Fidelity Allstars, Indian Ropeman, Modaji, Defected Records, Blackgrass and Hardkandy. She has an established career as a voice over artist and her clients include: Playstation, X-box, L’Oréal, Britney Spears Perfume, Lynx, Aquafresh, Kellogg’s, and Lynx. Her character voices can be heard on CBeebies, Moshi Monsters, Chuggington. As part of a song-writing duo (Chicks with Hits) they have written songs that are now being heard on hit US TV shows (Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill, Men in Trees), European pop chart radio and international commercials.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
| Results & Feedback 2017 |
1st - Gracefully Flowing - (45 points)
2nd - Sound Machine - (43 points)
3rd - The Unknown - (42 points)
4th - White Tigers - (41 points)
5th - Raw Chord - (39 points)
6th - The Sound Box - (38 points)
6th - Sector Seven - (38 points)
8th - The Tropicals - (35 points)
9th - Howling Rock Dogs - (32 points)
9th - The Unnamed - (32 points)
11th - Steele Gold - (31 points)
12th - Skyfall - (30 points)
2nd - Sound Machine - (43 points)
3rd - The Unknown - (42 points)
4th - White Tigers - (41 points)
5th - Raw Chord - (39 points)
6th - The Sound Box - (38 points)
6th - Sector Seven - (38 points)
8th - The Tropicals - (35 points)
9th - Howling Rock Dogs - (32 points)
9th - The Unnamed - (32 points)
11th - Steele Gold - (31 points)
12th - Skyfall - (30 points)
Huge congratulations to everyone involved in last night's Battle of the Bands final.
The results and judges' feedback are below:
Skyfall (Year 5) – Score: 30 – Place: 12th out of 59
Cool costumes – love the glasses, great song, vocals need to be clearer, great image, it’s hard to be the first on stage, credit for opening the show, impressive, confident, double threat on the piano, BIG drums, liked the chorus – very catchy, yes it is hard to write a song!
The Tropicals (Year 6) – Score: 35 – Place: 8th out of 59
Love the different instruments, great stage presence and lovely harmonies, coordinated look with tie-dye t-shirts, it’s clear this band love this song, fabulous timing and tightness, great attention to harmony and tuning, took on some challenging verses, love the ukulele, great song choice, amazing how you learned all the lyrics, girl power, really fantastic how you already realise the important things in life.
Raw Chord (Year 6) – Score: 39 – Place: 5th out of 59
Beautiful and clever song, impressive logo and fabulous photo projections, brave vocalist, loads of vocal potential, nice piano, great t-shirts, need to improve stage presence and engage with the audience, appeared nervous, good song and nice ending.
Howling Rock Dogs (Year 4) – Score: 32 – Place: 9th out of 59
Amazing stage presence, strong lead singer but the voice was a ‘bit pitchy’ at times, need to keep an eye (and an ear) in the timing and playing together tightly, confident performance, you put a smile on the audience’s faces, only year 4 – WOW, nice to write about friends, charismatic and endearing, loved the ending.
The Unknown (Year 6) – Score: 42 – Place: 3rd out of 59
Great harmonies, amazing costumes, strong lead vocals but a little ‘pitchy’ at times, a great idea behind this song, political message, really important and relevant lyrics, impressive song structure, love the clapping, great group image and cool t-shirts, the song took us on a journey, I got goosebumps, love the piano melody, great arrangement.
Sound Machine (Year 4) – Score: 43 – Place: 2nd out of 59
Oasis reincarnated! Accomplished guitar playing, loved the percussive use of the guitar, highly accomplished vocals with vibrato and inflection, owned the song and stage, reminded me of Oasis, a tune you’ll wake up singing, very brave to get up there on your own Ernie, lovely voice, you ARE very strong performing so well with so much confidence, loved it,
The Sound Box (Year 6) – Score: 38 – Place: 6th out of 59
Very current, strong vocals, good lyrics, played varied tempo and dynamics, fantastic drums, well-written lyrics, very confident performance, I would buy this record, love it, really good and well-balanced composition, cool to have some electric guitar, very talented drummer, for some of the time it would be good if the vocalist moved his arms from behind his back.
The Unnamed (Year 5) – Score: 32 – Place: 9th out of 59
A very moving and mature concept for a song, an appropriate tone and key for the song’s subject, well learned off by heart, powerful imagery, felt like a stage musical. You stayed together well with your vocals and performed confidently.
Gracefully Flowing (Year 6) – Score: 45 – Place: 1st out of 59
Very current, great attention to detail, lovely logo and good image and ‘look’, impressive awareness that singing involves the whole body, nice use of the arms, great engagement with the audience, angelic voice, great piano, love the voice, incredible stage presence and confidence, great vocal control, I think maybe Grace should do a duet with Ernie! Loved the chorus. Such talent. A future in music is assured.
White Tigers (Year 6) – Score: 41 – Place: 4th out of 59
Beautiful song, great band logo, pleasing blend of instruments, great piano skills, really liked the glockenspiel, powerful vocal performance (don’t forget to make eye contact with the audience), emotive – like a movie soundtrack, girl power! Refreshing to see a female drummer, loved the song structure and build, great dynamic with light and shade, the timbre of the violin was beautiful and haunting.
Steele Gold (Year 6) – Score: 31 – Place: 11th out of 59
Confident, great decision to use an electric guitar, impressive vocal confidence, very strong chorus, a promising solo career ahead, owned the stage and lived up to her name, nice touch with the ‘wammy bar’ at the end! Need to work on vocal pitch control.
Sector Seven (Year 6) – Score: 38 – Place: 6th out of 59
Great togetherness, fabulous chorus, love the song (catchy), felt like a real band, great way to finish the show, great band name, really liked the song, those drums took a real beating on this song! Loved your energy and how the song progressed. Well written.
CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE. THE JUDGES WERE BLOWN AWAY BY YOUR
SONG-WRITING TALENT AND PERFORMANCE CONFIDENCE.
The results and judges' feedback are below:
Skyfall (Year 5) – Score: 30 – Place: 12th out of 59
Cool costumes – love the glasses, great song, vocals need to be clearer, great image, it’s hard to be the first on stage, credit for opening the show, impressive, confident, double threat on the piano, BIG drums, liked the chorus – very catchy, yes it is hard to write a song!
The Tropicals (Year 6) – Score: 35 – Place: 8th out of 59
Love the different instruments, great stage presence and lovely harmonies, coordinated look with tie-dye t-shirts, it’s clear this band love this song, fabulous timing and tightness, great attention to harmony and tuning, took on some challenging verses, love the ukulele, great song choice, amazing how you learned all the lyrics, girl power, really fantastic how you already realise the important things in life.
Raw Chord (Year 6) – Score: 39 – Place: 5th out of 59
Beautiful and clever song, impressive logo and fabulous photo projections, brave vocalist, loads of vocal potential, nice piano, great t-shirts, need to improve stage presence and engage with the audience, appeared nervous, good song and nice ending.
Howling Rock Dogs (Year 4) – Score: 32 – Place: 9th out of 59
Amazing stage presence, strong lead singer but the voice was a ‘bit pitchy’ at times, need to keep an eye (and an ear) in the timing and playing together tightly, confident performance, you put a smile on the audience’s faces, only year 4 – WOW, nice to write about friends, charismatic and endearing, loved the ending.
The Unknown (Year 6) – Score: 42 – Place: 3rd out of 59
Great harmonies, amazing costumes, strong lead vocals but a little ‘pitchy’ at times, a great idea behind this song, political message, really important and relevant lyrics, impressive song structure, love the clapping, great group image and cool t-shirts, the song took us on a journey, I got goosebumps, love the piano melody, great arrangement.
Sound Machine (Year 4) – Score: 43 – Place: 2nd out of 59
Oasis reincarnated! Accomplished guitar playing, loved the percussive use of the guitar, highly accomplished vocals with vibrato and inflection, owned the song and stage, reminded me of Oasis, a tune you’ll wake up singing, very brave to get up there on your own Ernie, lovely voice, you ARE very strong performing so well with so much confidence, loved it,
The Sound Box (Year 6) – Score: 38 – Place: 6th out of 59
Very current, strong vocals, good lyrics, played varied tempo and dynamics, fantastic drums, well-written lyrics, very confident performance, I would buy this record, love it, really good and well-balanced composition, cool to have some electric guitar, very talented drummer, for some of the time it would be good if the vocalist moved his arms from behind his back.
The Unnamed (Year 5) – Score: 32 – Place: 9th out of 59
A very moving and mature concept for a song, an appropriate tone and key for the song’s subject, well learned off by heart, powerful imagery, felt like a stage musical. You stayed together well with your vocals and performed confidently.
Gracefully Flowing (Year 6) – Score: 45 – Place: 1st out of 59
Very current, great attention to detail, lovely logo and good image and ‘look’, impressive awareness that singing involves the whole body, nice use of the arms, great engagement with the audience, angelic voice, great piano, love the voice, incredible stage presence and confidence, great vocal control, I think maybe Grace should do a duet with Ernie! Loved the chorus. Such talent. A future in music is assured.
White Tigers (Year 6) – Score: 41 – Place: 4th out of 59
Beautiful song, great band logo, pleasing blend of instruments, great piano skills, really liked the glockenspiel, powerful vocal performance (don’t forget to make eye contact with the audience), emotive – like a movie soundtrack, girl power! Refreshing to see a female drummer, loved the song structure and build, great dynamic with light and shade, the timbre of the violin was beautiful and haunting.
Steele Gold (Year 6) – Score: 31 – Place: 11th out of 59
Confident, great decision to use an electric guitar, impressive vocal confidence, very strong chorus, a promising solo career ahead, owned the stage and lived up to her name, nice touch with the ‘wammy bar’ at the end! Need to work on vocal pitch control.
Sector Seven (Year 6) – Score: 38 – Place: 6th out of 59
Great togetherness, fabulous chorus, love the song (catchy), felt like a real band, great way to finish the show, great band name, really liked the song, those drums took a real beating on this song! Loved your energy and how the song progressed. Well written.
CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE. THE JUDGES WERE BLOWN AWAY BY YOUR
SONG-WRITING TALENT AND PERFORMANCE CONFIDENCE.
TICKETS
Tickets are now available to everyone: There are not many tickets left - so BE QUICK!
1. Click on the link below:
https://www.schoolinterviews.co.uk/
2. Enter the code:
af2bk
3. Enter your details
1. Click on the link below:
https://www.schoolinterviews.co.uk/
2. Enter the code:
af2bk
3. Enter your details
All participants must return a signed form to confirm attendance and provide permission to be filmed. If required, you can download the form below:
| Participation Form |
Information for finalists:
Battle of the Bands Final. This will take place in the school hall. We will aim to start promptly at 18:00, so please ensure your child arrives at school for 17:45.
The 6A classroom will become ‘The Green Room’ (the waiting room for the bands backstage). During their time in the Green Room the children should ensure their instruments are tuned, and check they have everything they need for their performance.
The bands are welcome to project an image or a video on the screen above the stage. This is optional. In the past, for example, bands have designed a band logo. If your child’s band decides to do so, please ensure Miss Rusbatch receives the media file no later than Monday 27th March via email (attachment or cloud link). She will then display the image/video during the final. The children may wear whatever they want.
Tickets are now available to families of the children in the final. Tickets can only be booked online. You will be / have been sent the required website and code via text message. There is an allowance of two tickets per child. It will be possible, however, to book more tickets from Monday 27th March, when the booking code is shared with the public.
This year’s panel of judges include a Juice FM Radio Presenter, a talent scout from Nickelodeon, a record label owner and a singer/songwriter. There will also be some guest performances.
Battle of the Bands Final. This will take place in the school hall. We will aim to start promptly at 18:00, so please ensure your child arrives at school for 17:45.
The 6A classroom will become ‘The Green Room’ (the waiting room for the bands backstage). During their time in the Green Room the children should ensure their instruments are tuned, and check they have everything they need for their performance.
The bands are welcome to project an image or a video on the screen above the stage. This is optional. In the past, for example, bands have designed a band logo. If your child’s band decides to do so, please ensure Miss Rusbatch receives the media file no later than Monday 27th March via email (attachment or cloud link). She will then display the image/video during the final. The children may wear whatever they want.
Tickets are now available to families of the children in the final. Tickets can only be booked online. You will be / have been sent the required website and code via text message. There is an allowance of two tickets per child. It will be possible, however, to book more tickets from Monday 27th March, when the booking code is shared with the public.
This year’s panel of judges include a Juice FM Radio Presenter, a talent scout from Nickelodeon, a record label owner and a singer/songwriter. There will also be some guest performances.
- THANK YOU VERY MUCH and well done to everyone who auditioned last week – the quality of song writing and performance was higher than ever. Deciding the top 12 bands this year was incredibly difficult. Miss Rusbatch agonised over some of the decisions. Factors affecting selection included performance confidence, great band cohesion, consistent tempo, impressive lyrics with emotive/narrative content, strong instrumental performances, vocal harmonies and good song structure.
- Feedback will be given to all bands on Tues 7th & Wed 8th March at lunchtime
- 59 Bands auditioned – 191 children in total
- ASTONISHINGLY, 45 of the 59 bands performed their own song in audition
- 12 bands made it through to the final (see below)
- 47 bands did not make it through to the final
- The final will take place on Tuesday 28th March in the school hall 18:00 – 19:30.
- Miss Rusbatch will soon be in touch with the families of the finalists with information about the tickets, guest performers and the judges.
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HOWLING ROCK DOGS (4F/K)
THE UNNAMED (5J) WHITE TIGERS (6WP) GRACEFULLY FLOWING (6H) THE TROPICALS (6A) SKYFALL (5J) |
THE UNKNOWN (6CH)
SECTOR SEVEN (6A) SOUND MACHINE (4PY) STEELE GOLD (6CH) THE SOUND BOX (6WP) RAW CHORD (6A) |
| BOTB Audition List 2017 |
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MONDAY 27th February
12:15 The Electric Fire (6H) 12:20 Velvet Hearts (6H) 12:25 One Way Up (6H) 12:30 Gracefully Flowing (6H) 12:35 Raw Chord (6A) 12:40 Mirror Image (6A) 12:45 Black Cats (6A) 12:50 Sector Seven (6A) 12:55 Electrostars (3B) 13:00 The Midnight Girls (3B) 13:05 The Girl Beat (3K) 13:10 The Truth Unfolds (5M) |
TUESDAY 28th February
12:15 The Tropicals (6A) 12:20 The Unknown (6A) 12:25 Ladder to the Light (6H) 12:30 Sweet & Sour (6WP) 12:35 The Sound Box (6WP) 12:40 White Tigers (6WP) 12:45 Star Dust (6CH) 12:50 The Harmonic Lights (6WP) 12:55 M.R.H. (4K) 13:00 Rosie (5DR) 13:05 Judgement Day (5DR) 13:10 C.M. (5DR) 13:15 Midnight (5DR/5M) |
WEDNESDAY 1st March
12:15 The M&Ms (4F) 12:20 DAB! (4C) 12:25 Feathers (4C) 12:30 I Don’t Care (4C) 12:35 Starlight (5J/3BR) 12:40 Sound Machine (4PY) 12:45 Serpent (3BR) 12:50 Boom Musical Rockets (3BR) 12:55 Shooting Stars (4PY) 13:00 The Unknown (6CH) 13:05 Steele Gold (6CH) |
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THURSDAY 2nd March
12:15 A & J (5S) 12:20 The Unnamed (5J) 12:25 TTB (5J) 12:30 Spotlight (5J) 12:35 Jamming in the Jars (5J) 12:40 Lightning (5M) 12:45 Darkness (5M) 12:50 Smiles (5J) 12:55 Secrets (3BR) 13:00 Sparkles (3BR) 13:05 The Shooting Star (3BR) 13:10 Star Light (4F/6WP) |
FRIDAY 3rd March
12:15 GF (Girlfriends) (5M/5S) 12:20 Skyfall (5J) 12:25 P.E.B. (4F) 12:30 The Lightning Bolts (4F) 12:35 Lightning Strikes (4K) 12:40 Howling Rock Dogs (4F/4K) 12:45 Shooting Stars (4F) 12:50 Bold Diamonds (4F) 12:55 Crystal Gems (3T) 13:00 Blue Strikes (4C) 13:05 Edi Byrne (4K) |
Audition results, feedback and the Top 12 finalists will be revealed on Monday 6th March
| BOTB Entry Form 2017 |
- All entry forms must be handed in by Friday 10th February 2017.
- Auditions: Monday 27th February and Friday 3rd March at lunchtime in the music room
- The top 12 bands will compete in the final Battle
- FINAL Battle on Tuesday 28th March 2017 - 18:00 - 19:30 (TBC)
- Tickets for the final to be booked online, week commencing first week of March
- Band Members: minimum of 1 – no maximum number (from any year group and class). A child may be in more than one band, but this isn't recommended by Miss Rusbatch.
- Band Manager: responsible for overseeing the Band’s name, look, staging, song choice, projections, promotion and marketing. The band manager can also perform as part of the band.
- Song choice: Any genre and any combination of instruments and/or voice will be permitted. Bands can perform a cover, medley or a ‘mash-up’. Bands will receive bonus points for own compositions (if they’re good quality). Bands may also perform pieces that are entirely instrumental (not involving any vocal performance).
- Bands cannot use any form of pre-recorded music e.g. backing tracks or karaoke tracks on CD.
- Song cannot be more than 5 minutes in length.
- Judges: Arts Industry Professionals
- Prize for the winning band: perform a concert at Downs Infant School, names placed on the Battle of the Bands trophy, organise own concert as part of the Downs Junior Summer Concert in July.
LUNCHTIME REHEARSALS
Lunchtime rehearsals for Battle of the Band will begin in the second week of January 2017:
MONDAY LUNCHTIME 12:30 - 12:55 - Year 6
TUESDAY LUNCHTIME 12:35 - 13:00 - Year 4
WEDNESDAY LUNCHTIME 12:30 - 12:55 - Year 5
THURSDAY LUNCHTIME 12:35 - 13:00 - Year 3