We said goodbye to Michael Langley last week. Mike has learnt a lot from being with us and has helped out at a difficult time. Keith Willis joins us from Monday. Most of you know Keith from his time here. He has had a difficult time in Birmingham and is looking forward to starting fresh with us, getting stuck in. I am aware that he has many skills that we will all want to use. So:
- Any requests for Keith's time must come through me with plenty of notice please.
Don't go to Keith direct - he has strict instructions to say no! I want to avoid a situation where Keith is unable to get anything done properly as he is always been asked to 'help out', just come here for a moment to play for this'. I will be managing his time closely. Everyone must ensure they they and students address him as Mr Willis at the appropriate times please.
A reminder from previous weeks that Year 7 are all out this week and lessons must be made up later in the term. Year 12 are all out the week after half term. As we enter the 'silly season', a reminder that students should be providing a week's notice if they need to change a lesson time. Ask senior students if they can attend the next lesson - remind them of the date. I will be ensuring that if a student comes to the music office, they are sent direct to you if you are in, or a message is taken. We can end up with clashes of swaps, and students must take the responsibility to plan in advance! Even Year 7 should be house trained by now.
If you have a mac laptop, please watch the following video about updates. The network office are now responsible for the mac network and laptops, but updates and backups are the responsibility of the laptop user please. If your laptop packed up, would you have a backup of your stuff? Regular 'maintenance' will keep it working well. For a backup you will need to leave your laptop with me for an evening to get it done.
The Rock School exam results were superb. Well done to all concerned. Trinity and AB exams will be accompanied by Jeremy, with rehearsals booked in on Wednesday after school sessions from half term.
Finally, I am getting round to sorting out Year 10 GCSE performances. Solos and ensembles to be recorded this term - this is and should be the area for the highest success. If you have any doubt about what is required, or how it is marked, or is this piece suitable, you must ask me. I keep putting this, yet we still have issues. Not all exam pieces are suitable. Quite simply - record the piece and listen back reading the music. Dynamics, articulation, style, feeling, phrasing. If it is on the page, can you hear it? Put it another way - most of our students should be able to perform a grade 3/4 piece and get a high distinction. Don't submit a grade 7 piece and muck it up, or bodge a small section!
Thanks for all your work. Enjoy the slightly quieter week. Spend some time sharing ideas with a colleague!
Mark
