Music Highlights

17 - 20 July | Chiswick Voices went on their first international tour, performing at Lille Cathedral in France and St George’s Ypres in Belgium. Many thanks must go to Ms. Irvine and Ms. Lakey who helped make the trip such a success and to Bethany, Charlotte, and Sophie for winning a hotly contested game of traitors. Catch up here (to the performance, not the round table)

4 September | Our 5th annual School Album was released, showcasing many of the bands last year. Alongside the great done by Sam T, this was a fitting final tribute to Mr. Banks as he moves with his family to Japan. Tune in here

9 September | BBC Proms. Our GCSE and A Level Students went to see the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra perform Strauss’ Four Last Songs at the Albert Hall. Now we all want to be professional opera singers.

16 September | Waterbear College returned to Chiswick for another seminar to year 9s about life at Music College, the main shock being that it actually involves some work.

18 September | Markos kicked off the pub gig year with an ‘unplugged’ show, which involved an ironically high number of cables.

23 September | Markos also started off his series of gigs ‘Smalls’ in which anyone can turn up and play. Luckily people turned up, and a good night was had by all.

29 September | Dolly Parton was given a tribute night by Chiswick School students at the City Barge including 3 quite stunning solos by new and very brave year 7s. Catch up here

30 September | Corey, the Steel Band, and Chiswick Voices performed to 100s of prospective parents at our Open Evening. Apparently one or two of them found out where the staff pizza was being held.

5 October | The Steel Band performed at Smallberry Green Primary School for Black History Month, kicking off a partnership that we expect might grow much more this year. Read the local article here

7 October | Tom and Markos hosted a relaxed but highly impressive evening of songs in the hall, featuring alumnus Harry Robinson on backing guitar.

13 October | After Hours did their first full headline show at the City Barge, a proper feat for a year 8 band only a month into school.

14 October | Chiswick Voices performed to a group of visiting School Leaders from Sweden, regrettably missing a golden opportunity to arrange an ABBA song for 4- part choir.

15 October | Indie Night, assuming it all went ahead smoothly, likely provided a fitting close to the half term, featuring Sorry Not Sorry, 4 new year 7 bands, and our headline band: Deadset.

News and Notices

Congratulations to Destiny, Marco, Nelly, Lou and Roseanna who all passed grade 6 Singing, and Yushua for passing Grade 6 Theory over the summer. Yushua becomes the first Chiswick Student to pass grade 6+ theory for at least 7 years, if not much longer.

From outside of Chiswick: Corey won first place in the Around the Globe International Piano Competition, Penny made it to the final round of the national songwriting competition, Yushua took part in the National Youth Percussion Ensemble, including having a masterclass with Dame Evelyn Glennie, and Farrokh went on a compositional summer school in Huddersfield.

A very warm welcome to Ms. Vania Azadi, a classical singer who has joined us as a full- time staff member. We also welcome Ms. Gill Austin (Violin/Viola Teacher), Mr. Will Rowling (Drum Teacher) and Mr. Anton Brown (Oboe Teacher).

Could you help out at a Music Bar? The PTA are always looking for extra helpers for bars at music performances, and every penny raised goes towards buying new equipment and instruments. Sign up here

Chiswick Community Choir is looking for new members for our latest project: Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius. This is a choir for both Chiswick parents and local community members. Enthusiasm is the only prerequisite for joining. Sign up here

Sign up for Music Lessons Here. Normally we take on new starters at the beginning of each term.

The weekly rehearsal schedule can be found here, but please note this is often being changed / added to.

Upcoming Performances Can all be found here.