Music in school

MUSIC AT ST MICHAEL'S

At St Michael’s we are very proud of our music tradition.

All children in the school have regular music lessons during the year, with each child having the opportunity to learn a musical instrument with their class. This year children have learnt ocarinas, recorders, ukuleles, steel pans,djembe drums, samba, guitars and gamelan.

The school has two choirs and an orchestra and regularly forms a band. We have a strong tradition of performing whenever and wherever we can. In the past this has included at John Lewis, Heavitree Park, local nursing homes and churches, local high schools and in local music competitions as well as school concerts and in the annual outside ‘Summer Spectacular’.

In addition we are very proud to offer the chance to have private music lessons with one of our brilliant peripatetic teachers who visit weekly.

Music Lessons - If anyone would like their child to begin learning a musical instrument this term, most of the music teachers have space this term. Please be in touch with them directly, or contact the office for more details. If you are interested in guitar, please let the office know, we are currently in the process of recruiting a new guitar teacher.

Mr Geraint Williams (piano) geraint6@hotmail.com

Ms Nikki Fitzgerald (oboe and recorder ) nikkieandstevenfitz@gmail.com

Mr Jon Clode (violin) violinandpianotuition@gmail.com

Mr Sam Massey (all brass) sam@sammasseymusic.com

Ms Susanne Jung (flute) susannejung100@gmail.com

Mr Tony Price (drums) tonypricetuition@yahoo.co.uk

Tony Price (drum teacher) “I started teaching drums at St Michael’s in September 2005 and Fridays just wouldn’t be Fridays without St Michael’s. I really enjoy my work there, it’s a pleasure to be in a pleasant environment that is supportive and that encourages learning but is also aware of the Arts, especially music”.

To hire an instrument from Devon Music Services email

ldpdevonmusicserviceinstruments@babcockinternational.com

Big Spring Sing finale

Wow what an amazing morning we had on Friday 5th April as we celebrated the end of our 'Big Spring Sing' with a finale!

We sang all 10 songs - some with live music, some along with the CD and we sang 'One Love' with the school orchestra. The staff choir sang 'Shine' to huge applause.

It was a great time of singing and belonging together with everyone taking part.

Here are what some children said afterwards, 'It made me feel like we're all in a family', 'it made me feel emotional', 'St Michael's is a singing school'

There is a recording of the whole school singing 'Country Roads' on the Facebook page - it's already had over 1000 views!

Visit from DYJO ambassadors.

Big Spring Sing 2019

This term at we are using singing to enhance well-being and a feeling of belonging at St Michael’s.

Below is the playlist we have chosen. We are learning these songs and singing them at every opportunity.

Do sing along at home!

1. Stand by me – Ben E King

2. Shine – Take That.

3. Don’t’ worry be happy – Bobby McFerrin

4. Happy – Will Pharrell

5. One Love – Bob Marley

6. Big Family of God – Nick and Becky Drake

7. You’ve got a friend in me – Michael Buble

8. Love my life – Robbie Williams

9. Take me home, country roads – John Denver

10. With a little help from my friends - Beatles

Thank you

We were thrilled to have a visit from the DYJO ambassadors including Luke - a former St Michael's pupil. They played to us in assembly and then ran a workshop for the orchestra. It was great fun!

The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra massed ensemble Great Hall

Listen to us rehearse!

What a fabulous day!

Our orchestra were thrilled to join with 350 primary and secondary aged children from all over Devon to rehearse and perform with some professional musicians from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

Our children worked really hard all afternoon rehearsing, and after tea we were joined by a huge audience of parents and friends for the performance.

One of our parent helpers said, "the children were fantastic...a real credit to the school".

Well done everyone!