22nd – 27th July 2019
The JAM Summer Course was once again fully subscribed, and the thirty children involved had a very busy and action-packed week of music and activities. Through the support of the One Foundation, a team of visiting teachers joined the local faculty, including brass specialist Steve Thompson, Abbie Burrows for woodwind, Richard Boardman and Damon Flanagan for strings, and Hayley Parkes for piano. The visiting guest artiste this year was violinist beatboxer Faz Shah, who got every single student beatboxing!
Concerts included an evening at Georgetown Methodist Church, the end-of-course concert at St Helier Methodist Centre, and a brilliant day at Mont Orgueil Castle – for this event we provided the musical finale to Jersey Heritage’s week of Musical Mayhem at Mont Orgueil in which lots of children had made musical instruments which we led in a ‘Junk Samba’ through the castle, performing in ensembles in lots of interesting locations.
Along with the afternoon activities including a guided Moonwalk to Seymour Tower with Jersey Walking Adventures, and an action-packed afternoon at St Brelade’s Bay with Jersey Seafaris and Absolute Adventures, the week was crammed to the brim!
Our congratulations go to all the students involved for a wonderful week, and all the hard work that went alongside the fun to enable all the newly-formed ensembles to deliver some truly memorable performances. Bravo!
18th May 2019
On 18th May, the Academy’s senior flute students spent the day with internationally renowned and multi-award-winning flautist, Gareth McLearnon.
The day began with a group workshop focusing on Tone, where the students learnt some interesting techniques including singing while playing. Gareth then spent time with the younger flautists, working on posture and technique and giving advice on how to improve their current pieces. The afternoon was spent in an Open Masterclass for the older students who all benefited from their individual session with Gareth as well as learning from observing their peers.
The day rounded off with a Flute Choir session playing one of Gareth’s own compositions “Single Yellow Line” which included learning many extended techniques and sound effects. The students loved the piece so much that we have now purchased it to add to the repertoire!
20th-23rd June 2019
Around 100 of the academy’s orchestral-instrumentalists joined forces with visiting students and teachers from Chetham’s School of Music in one of our biggest projects of the year!
Senior-level instrumentalists formed a 45-strong Chamber Orchestra, rehearsing intensively each evening to bring together Coates’ vibrant London Suite, and Popper’s reflective Requiem for Three Cellos and Chamber Orchestra.
Then on the Saturday a huge range of young instrumentalists from 5yrs of age right up to adult learners joined forces to spend the weekend learning and rehearsing music which had been specially arranged to bring together all ages and levels, including Bizet’s Toreador’s Song, Offenbach’s Can Can, Great Movie Adventures by John Williams, and James Bond by Barry.
Led by conductor Steve Threlfall, Director of Music at Chetham’s, and all the local JAM teaching team, this culminated in a truly spectacular concert at the beautiful Great Hall at Highlands.
During their visit, the wind quintet and string quintet from Chetham’s also performed schools concerts at Janvrin, JCG Prep, and Hautlieu (pictured).
This project was also particularly meaningful as it was not only part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations of Chetham’s, but also one of the final projects led by Steve Threlfall who is retiring from his role as Director of Music later this year. It was also wonderful to hear performances from some of the Jersey students who are currently studying at Chetham’s including soprano Esther Shea, cellist Iona Russell, and pianist Esther Cushen. Bravo to all for a fantastic event (and thank you to Nigel Crespel for the brilliant photos)!
