Blog Archives - Downs Junior School Music

Composing Music in Orchestra

28/1/2016

In last week's orchestra rehearsal I asked the children to improvise a simple melody. Max composed a beautiful pattern of notes on the violin. This week, we decided on the chord-progression pattern and then arranged the notes for the different instrument groups. Today we recorded the work-in-progress and you can watch and listen to the recording on the orchestra page. Max has chosen to name the piece: Space Sailing.

Well done everyone in the orchestra. Let's develop your ideas further next week. In the meantime, your homework is to experiment with these notes and chord patterns and bring those ideas to next week's rehearsal (either written down / notated / or in your head!)

Sad news...

27/1/2016

Today has been a frustrating reminder as to how careful we need to be when using and handling musical instruments. Following today's year 6 band rehearsal, this lovely Fender guitar was left, leaning against some cupboards, and before long, it fell sideways to the floor. This resulted in the head of the guitar snapping off. Please always ensure you return the school guitars to the hangers on the wall. Thank you.

Song Writing in Year 5

27/1/2016

Year 5 are currently writing songs about war and peace to tie in with their World War Two topic.

Uke-tastic Rehearsal

26/1/2016

4R and 4K have now received 3 (out of 10) free ukulele lessons with Mr McGuigan and Miss Rusbatch. They have been working hard, concentrating well, strumming with certainty and progressing well. Keep it up Year 4. For more information about ukulele lessons in school, and to view video clips and web links, visit the ukulele page.

Monday's Year 5 Rehearsal

25/1/2016

In today's Year 5 rehearsal for Battle of the Bands, Miss Rusbatch heard a number of different covers, including the Beatles and David Bowie, plus lots of original songs. Keep up the hard work everyone. For more information about this exciting annual music industry enterprise competition, visit the Battle of the Bands 2016 page.

Rehearsing for the Battle of the Bands

21/1/2016

Here's a sneak peek at one of this week's rehearsals for Battle of the Bands. Today, the children in the year 4 bands were experimenting musically.

Rehearsals for Battle of the Bands 2016

19/1/2016

Lunchtime rehearsals have now started for Battle of the Bands. Slots are allocated by year group, to ensure that rehearsals don't clash with lunch sittings. If however some bands contain children from varied year groups, they can attend one rehearsal slot per week that doesn't clash with anyone's lunch sitting.

MONDAY LUNCHTIME 12:30 - 12:55 - Year 5
WEDNESDAY LUNCHTIME 12:30 - 12:55 - Year 6
THURSDAY LUNCHTIME 12:30 - 12:55 - Year 4
FRIDAY LUNCHTIME 12:35 - 13:00 - Year 3

Battle of the Bands 2016 - ENTRY

10/1/2016

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.
All entry forms must be handed in by Friday 12th February.
Auditions: 22 - 26 February at lunchtime in the music room
The top 12 bands will compete in the final Battle
FINAL Battle on Wednesday 9th March 2016
Tickets to be booked online first week of March
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.

ENTRY FORM 2016
File Size:	366 kb
File Type:	pdf

Happy New Year! Spring Term Dates

5/1/2016

Welcome to the Spring Term! I hope you all had a lovely break and feel refreshed and ready to face an action-packed, fun-filled musical term here at Downs Junior School.

Please note: All music clubs re-commence NEXT week (from Monday 11th January)

If you would like to enrol your child in Mega Choir or Jam Band or Orchestra, please complete and return the sign-up form (which is available from the school office or download from the Clubs page).

Here are a couple of dates for your musical diaries:

Battle of the Bands 2016 - The Final
Wednesday 9th March 2016 15:30 - 17:15 in the school hall
Tickets will be required via the online booking system - details to follow.

Year 4 Ukulele Concerts
Tuesday 22nd March in the school hall - tickets will not be required
13:45 - 14:15 - 4R
14:45 - 15:15 - 4K