Endangered Instruments Party

The Prep Hall was a-buzz yesterday after school as the Music Department held an Endangered Instruments Party. What’s that, I hear you ask?

For the last term, 20 children from Year 3 have been learning instruments (on our Endangered Instrument Scheme); instruments that in other schools (and indeed worldwide) are in danger of becoming obsolete. Here at Brentwood Prep, we recognise the need to get children interested and engaged in thinking outside of the box with their choice of instruments and if our Prep Orchestra is anything to go by, it is working!

The children came together in the hall (all very excited), sitting in a circle and proudly showing off their instruments to each other. There was quite a sound, as you can imagine. But then, all of a sudden, it all came together, as they were introduced to a twelve-bar blues piece by Mr Downing (our woodwind specialist and Junior Band coach). From having just one term of lessons to suddenly getting the chance to play together in a band was an incredible experience for our children and one they will never forget.

The children were all invited to then play a little solo or duet, which they had prepared, to the rest of the group and it was obvious that the children were really well-prepared for this.
We were amazed at the progress the children had already made in such a short space of time…and let’s not forget … .on difficult instruments!

We then invited the parents and guardians of the children to hear a little snippet of what had been going on and they were delighted to hear their children playing all together and obviously having such fun. The event was finished with a treat – tea, coffee, juice and some fabulous cupcakes, provided by our wonderful Catering team – thank you to Mrs Mares-O’Connor.

It was lovely to welcome some Senior School students over for the event to inspire the children and sit amongst them in the circle. We would like to thank Juliette T, Pippa P, Rose B, Anna R and from last year’s Year 6, Grayson H and George N. We also thank the Visiting Music Teachers who gave up their time to be with the children, Mr Downing, Mr Rumsey, Ms Waddington and Mr Cartmell. And of course, our Music Department teachers, Mr Barber, Mrs Bartlett and Mrs Romhany.

Well done children and keep practising. You’ve had the taste of what it feels like to be in a band and very shortly, you are ready for one at school!