Harvest Festival Service - 8th October 2010 at 7pm
St Andrew's Church, Helpringham. SGS Chamber Choir and musicians
Brass Ensemble
This is a small group of brass players led by Mr Bower who also teaches brass at the school. They rehearse on Thursday lunchtimes and perform at various school events including the carol service and Extravaganza. The brass ensemble performed in the school's annual Christmas concert and the Carol Service in SS Mary & Nicolas Church in Spalding and more recently at the Musical Extravaganza in March.
Chamber choir
The choir draws singers from years 7-13 and performs a mixed programme of repertoire. Rehearsals take place after school on Tuesdays as part of the department's enrichment programme. The chamber choir is a compulsory element of the A level music course and aims to develop students reading and aural awareness. There are also opportunities for advanced students to direct rehearsals and performances.
The choir regularly goes on tours (Speyer 2005, Berlin 2007, Helsinki 2009) and we will soon be planning our next tour to Normandy for 2011. The choir will soon be starting rehearsals in September for the Christmas Celebration 8th December 2010 in the school hall. The event will start at 7.30pm. Tickets £5 for adults (children/students free).
Singing lessons are available to pupils of all ages and currently there are spaces available. To start lessons simply contact the music department.
Concert Band
About 30 of Spalding Grammar School’s more advanced woodwind, brass and percussion players rehearse for 20 weeks of the year under the direction of Mr Baldery.
Pupils are recommended to join the band when they have reached approximately grade 3 standard to further their ensemble playing. Players are also drawn from Spalding High School and Gleed Boys School. The band have now stopped rehearsals and will recommence in September. We are keen to hear from new players of all sections (flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, cornet, trumpet, trombone, French horn, euphonium, tuba, tuned percussion & bass guitar).
Rhythm & Blues Band
This group developed out of the original Jazz Band that was formed in 2002 by Mr Baldery and now regularly performs in and out of school. The band rehearses on Friday lunchtimes and is made up of able musicians from across the age range.
Notable performances include a Gala Evening at Grimsthorpe Castle near Bourne in aid of St Barnabas Hospice. The band perform every year at the School’s Charity concert in January and the Musical Extravaganza in the Spring term. For the last two years, the band have performed at the Old Boys Association Annual dinner.
The band performed at the South Holland Centre in Spalding for Age Concern earlier in the year and more recently for the school's Sport Celebration Evening in July. The group made its debut at this year's Heckington Show. Hopefully we will get a return invite to play in 2011.
From September, rehearsals will be on Mondays in M1 after school.
Saxophone ensemble
The saxophone ensemble have become an exciting and diverse group led by Mr Taylor, our peripatetic woodwind teacher. The group amazed the audience at the Musical Extravaganza with lively and exciting musical items. The group will be seeking new members to join in September.
If you are interested in joining any of the above musical groups, please contact the music department via e-mail. Are you involved in playing in groups outside of school? If so, email us and tell us all about it.
