Great Scot 163_September 2021_ONLINE_21.09.21 | Page 14

JUNIOR SCHOOL
1 . EMMA MACRAE AND JUNIOR SCHOOL
GLEN HOUSE CHOIR . 2 . CELLOS ( YEAR 3 )
ALSTON LIN AND OLIVER CASE .

A BUZZ IN THE AIR AS JUNIOR SCHOOL MUSICIANS PERFORM

12 Great Scot
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YEARS 5 AND 6 VIRTUAL CONCERT WAS A VERY POSITIVE EXPERIENCE
Lockdown is challenging for most departments in a school , however for music it can be grim . Our Junior School boys have had their resilience tested with numerous activities in their busy calendar cancelled this year .
One such highlight is the Years 5 to 6 Concert . Usually scheduled in Term 2 , it was finally held when we were allowed back to school in the third week of Term 3 . As we couldn ’ t have an audience , we made the decision to use our rehearsals throughout the day to practise and then record the items for a ‘ Virtual Years 5 to 6 Concert ’.
The boys were very excited on the day of our ‘ concert ’, and you could definitely feel the buzz in the air . It was such a positive experience for the boys as well as the staff . Our boys had not really practised in their ensembles since the last few weeks of Term 2 , and some had not even rehearsed during that term ; however with plenty of excitement and positivity all ensembles rehearsed and then recorded a few items for our ‘ concert ’.
Our main challenge was socially distancing all the boys in each group . This was particularly challenging for the 60 boys in our auditioned ‘ Glen House Choir ’. We used choir risers , and the boys spread themselves out in the beautiful David Yu Foyer .
Our Concert Band recorded several charts under the direction of Ms Jude Hallum . Our String Orchestra under the capable direction of Ms Amberley Bremner performed several pieces .
It is my first year at Scotch , and the ‘ concert ’ was one of my first experiences of the Drum Corps . Mr Chris Farrands led the accomplished Year 6 band as they performed a James Bond classic .
Mr Glenn Bardwell accompanied all the ensembles throughout the day , and spent countless hours putting all the recordings together to make our concert . He truly provides such fantastic support .
MRS EMMA MACRAE – JUNIOR SCHOOL MUSIC TEACHER PHOTOGRAPHY : JOHN FERGUSON