The past few weeks have been an extraordinary period for the Music Department, filled with rehearsals, excitement, and a remarkable series of performances across the school. Our students have shown outstanding dedication as they prepared for this year’s winter shows, and it has been a privilege to see their hard work come to life on stage.
One of the highlights of the season was taking our Britannica Voices choirs to three separate Christmas tree-lighting ceremonies around the city. Both our Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 choirs represented the school beautifully, singing with confidence, enthusiasm, and real musicality. These events were very well attended by parents and staff, and the students found the experience both exciting and rewarding.
Back at school, the winter concerts continued the momentum. Our EYFS and Key Stage 1 Winter Concert was magnificent, with every class singing superbly and performing with great enthusiasm and joy. Later in the week, the Key Stage 2 and Secondary concerts showcased an impressive range of musical skills. With only a few exceptions for specialised choral items, the instrumental music in nearly every performance was played entirely by the students themselves — an exceptional achievement that reflects the strength of music-making across the school.
We were especially proud of the many students who stepped onto the stage playing instruments they had only recently begun learning. Performing for the first time under bright lights in a packed theatre requires courage, focus, and resilience, and it was inspiring to watch so many of our students rise to the occasion. Their willingness to take risks, try new instruments, and support their classmates speaks volumes about the musical culture developing at Britannica.
As we bring this busy term to a close, I want to share how particularly pleased I’ve been to see the growing number of students who are choosing to involve themselves in music beyond the classroom. Our Senior Music Hub, the Secondary ASA for passionate young musicians wishing to develop their ensemble skills, has seen not only increased interest but also a noticeably higher level of musicianship. For the first time since I joined Britannica, we have had four rehearsal rooms running simultaneously, each filled with students learning and performing music in a range of styles. It has been genuinely joyous to watch.
Equally heartening is the number of students — in both Key Stage 2 and Secondary — who are forming their own groups, using rehearsal spaces during break and lunchtimes, and taking real ownership of their musical journeys. This independence, creativity, and enthusiasm speak volumes about the energy and ambition of the young musicians in our community.
I would like to wish all our families a very restful and happy holiday season. We look forward to welcoming students back next term, when we will continue to expand our instrumental programme and provide even more opportunities for them to perform, collaborate, and grow as musicians.
