Battle of the Bands 2017 is almost upon us. This year's rules, dates and entry form can now be found on the Battle of the Bands 2017 page.
 Our Christmas Concert season is nearly over. We'll be singing together as a whole school on Friday, which will be a wonderful opportunity for this term's choir and orchestra members to showcase what they've achieved. The standards and confidence and quality and effort and spark and energy during this year's concerts have surpassed all previous Christmas concerts. Well done to everyone involved, including families at home who have supported the extra rehearsing at home and for bringing the children to and from rehearsals. I am delighted to inform you that we raised a stunning £545 in donations from audience members, from the final four concerts: Mega Choir, Super Choir and Orchestra performing to families and ex-pupils from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.. THANK YOU to everyone who donated. £375 has now been donated to Refugee Support Europe. The remaining money will supplement the Downs Junior School Music Department - (acquiring and maintaining instruments, music technology, recording software and hardware and online notation subscriptions). Amazing team effort, and a wonderful festive result. You've earned yourselves a fluffy and fabulous festive break.  The final (FUN) Mega Choir rehearsal for this term will occur tomorrow (Wednesday 14th December). Mega Choir rehearsals will recommence on Wednesday 11th January 2017.
The final orchestra rehearsal (party) will take place after school on Thursday 15th December. Orchestra rehearsals will recommence on Thursday 12th January 2017. Super Choir rehearsals have now ended for this term. Super Choir rehearsals will recommence in the summer term. Battle of the Bands fever will set in as soon as the spring term begins. This involves open registration and lunchtime rehearsal slots: One day per year group. These rehearsal slots will be advertised in January. A Battle of the Bands 2017 web page will soon be set up, with all the information you'll need for entry. . We've now entered the final week of Christmas concerts. This evening will showcase the Christmas finale Concert - MEGA CHOIR, SUPOER CHOIR and ORCHESTRA will perform their pieces and songs to parents one final time.  Tonight's concert starts at 6pm. Doors (for children) at 5.45pm. Doors (for audience) at 5.50pm. Concert finishes at 7.30pm. The final musical event for the whole school will take place on Friday (16th) in the canteen.
The Downs Junior School Christmas Concert Mannequin Challenge Well done everyone!  All of the children in school received a treat today - BIMM Academy came to perform, and invited children on stage to form bands and experience playing bass, guitar, drums and sing using the microphone. The assemblies were a huge success and the children impressed the BIMM tutors with their talent and confidence and ability to learn quickly. BIMM Academy is a fun series of Saturday workshops for kids, held at award-winning Electric Studios. The workshops culminate with a huge concert, showcasing what the children have learned. BIMM Academy are enrolling now for the Spring Term. For more information, visit their website or email: hello@bimmacademy.co.uk or call 01273 840349.  There are not enough superlatives to express the pride and joy I have tonight. Every single one of the 231 children who performed today (Mega Choir, Super Choir and Orchestra) should be incredibly proud of themselves this evening: THREE concerts in one day, and the performance standard was THROUGH the ROOF! Packed full with original compositions, traditional carols and Christmas songs - you all gave the audience an experience they'll never forget. Congratulations. You were INSPIRING SHINING STARS. Lots of festive love, from Miss Rusbatch For more photos, visit the Christmas 2016 page. (Keep your eyes peeled for the Mannequin Challenge video...!)  Orchestra is cancelled this week (Thursday 8th December). We will, however, have a Christmas party for our final rehearsal of the term - on Thursday 15th December. It would be great if the children could bring some food to share: Sweet or savoury. Thank you very much.
The final Mega Choir rehearsal of the term will be on Wednesday 14th December. We will be playing games and having some Christmassy fun! Thanks, all, for your commitment and dedication to rehearsals this term. I can't wait for your talent and effort to be rewarded and appreciated in the upcoming concerts. Remember to BRING A SCARF TOMORROW.  Year 3 - you were AMAZING today. You looked and sounded brilliant.
Thank you for rehearsing so much and for trying so hard. The audiences were smiling from start to finish. You should be REALLY proud of yourselves. You have 2 more performances tomorrow, to the rest of the school (children in Years 4, 5 and 6 and the staff). See you then!  Huge congratulations and thanks to the Year 6 children in Super Choir who attended the Primary Schools' Christmas Concert at the Brighton Centre last night. Alongside 43 schools from across the city, Super Choir sang their hearts out, whilst maintaining complex harmonies, counter-melodies and performing makaton actions!
See the Christmas 2016 page for more information about upcoming concerts.  Great rehearsal this afternoon Year 6 Super Choir - you are more than ready for tonight's BIG concert. Remember - we are meeting at 6.30pm in the main foyer on the ground floor; look for the A3 Downs Junior School sign and/or Miss Rusbatch (she'll be wearing a sparkly green cape)! If you are late (after 6.45pm), join us in your stage place in the auditorium. Parents, once you have dropped your child off with Miss Rusbatch, please take their coat and then make your way to your seats. The concert starts promptly at 7.00pm. Following this afternoon's rehearsal, I can now confirm that we are positioned towards the far left-hand side of the raked seating / staging, behind the Big Band. The concert will end between 8.20pm and 8.30pm. Please collect your child from the same area in the foyer on the ground floor. Please ensure you make Miss Rusbatch aware that you have your child and you are leaving the Brighton Centre. Children may wear Christmas headgear plus any combination of red, green, black, white, silver or gold. ENJOY THE SHOW!  Thanks to the members of Mega Choir and Super Choir who turned up at M&S to sing for charity this morning. We raised £281.50 for CLIC Sargent.  Tomorrow (Sunday 4th December) children in Mega Choir and Super Choir will be singing at Mark and Spencer Food in Hollingbury. We'll be raising money for the charity CLIC Sargent (supporting young people with cancer). If you're coming along, please bring some gold and silver coins and pop them in a bucket. Thank you. We're meeting in the corner of the car park, close to the M&S entrance. We'll be singing from 11:00 - 11;30. Hope to see you there.  
MONDAY 5th DECEMBER
Super Choir are performing at the Primary Schools’ Christmas Concert on Monday 5th December. The main rehearsal will also be on Monday at the Brighton Centre, during school time. WHAT TO BRING? Children will need to bring a packed lunch, the signed slip (bottom of letter), plus £3 (to cover costs for the coach transport to and from the rehearsal – this is a voluntary contribution). Keep your eyes on the Argus newspaper the next day, as they will have a photographer at the rehearsal. WHAT ARE THE TIMINGS? Please ensure that your child arrives at the Brighton Centre by 6.30pm. We will meet in the foyer area on the ground floor of the Brighton Centre. The children will be shown specifically where, at the rehearsal. This will also serve as the pick-up point at 8.20pm. The actual concert will start at 7.00pm WHAT TO WEAR? Children can wear any combination of the following colours: BLACK – WHITE – RED – GREEN – SILVER – GOLD. Children may also wear festive headgear, such as Santa hats. TICKETS: You must have a ticket to be able to watch the concert. Tickets can only be booked via the Brighton Centre Box Office. |
MUSIC STAFF:
Anna Rusbatch
- Head of Music - Tom Butterworth - Guitar / Bass - Lisa De Simone - Violin / Viola - Sarah Davison - Cello - Francesca Urquhart - Double Bass - Victoria Hancox - Flute / Recorder - Howard Burchfield - Clarinet / Oboe - Ross Williams - Saxophone / Bassoon - Howard Burchfield - Clarinet / Oboe - Sarah Leeves - Brass - Alice Hawkes - Piano - Loz Thomas - Drum Kit - Bella Spinks - Voice - Music Service - 01273 293524 - Online Appication Children can only receive tuition for ONE instrument during class curriculum lesson time
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