Several Academy students have been hard at work practicing and spending many hours revising to take both ABRSM theory and practical exams during the Spring Term and, as a consequence of that hard work, we have, once again, achieved excellent results. Congratulations to Ed, Maisy, Lucy, William, Ella, Ellie, Saffina and George.

On Saturday 1 April 2017, Homelands Free Church in Frinton on Sea, was again the venue for an Academy concert . A large appreciative audience was entertained by the Beginners Band during the first half, playing music ranging from the theme to ‘Batman’, pop hits with ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’, ‘Tragedy’ and ending with a rendition of ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ joined by an enthusiastic flag waving audience. Congratulations to soloists Ella Mark (cornet), Lillybet Fontain (tenor horn) and George Scutcher (drum kit).

The A120 ensemble provided music for the second half, interspersed with a great solos by Saffina Frazer-Brown (trombone) a Duet from Edward Frazer-Brown and Bob Bales (tuba) and a solo from Anthony Sanders on euphonium, showcasing student, student & teacher and teacher talent.

Thank you  to Homelands Church for inviting us back, to the parents for the supply of delicious cakes, to Sylvia Brown for accompanying the soloists, to Shweta Singh for her IT skills with visual effects and the Academy Support Team all of whom worked behind the scenes to make the afternoon a fantastic event.

Congratulations to the Academy students that took and passed the Spring 2017 ABRSM Theory examinations.

Maisy Brooks – grade 1 – distinction
William Huddlestone – grade 1 – distinction
Lucy Huddlestone – grade 1 – merit
Edward Frazer-Brown – grade 5 – merit

Well done to all  Music Academy students who have passed ARBSM practical and theory exams during 2016.

Chloe Debath – grade – 1 Baritone – pass
Saffina Frazer-Brown  – grade 3 trombone – merit
Edward Frazer-Brown – grade 4  Eb Tuba – distinction
Rohini Singh – grade 1 clarinet – pass
William Huddlestone – grade 4 cornet – merit
Annabel Brooks – grade 3 flugelhorn – merit
Veer Singh – grade 1 horn – pass
Jenna Hargreaves – grade 3 clarinet – pass
Edward Frazer-Brown – grade 5 Eb tuba – distinction
Michelle Mowle – grade 3 horn – distinction
Cassia Oliff  – grade 1 horn – merit
Emma Bould – trombone grade 1- pass
Saffron Heddell – grade 3 theory – merit
Ella Mowle – grade 3 theory – merit
Michelle Mowle – grade 3 theory – distinction

Despite playing a solid, sound and winning performance  the vagaries of adjudication placed the band at ninth place – disappointing but ‘c’est la vie‘.

The test piece this year is ‘Darkwood’. A challenging piece – not from a technical aspect but from a musicality perspective – which the band is embracing. A workshop over the weekend of 11th and 12th of February run by Paul Holland (Musical Director of Flowers Band – ranked 5th in the World and a U.K. Championship Band. He is also an adjudicator at brass band competitions). The workshop was huge success and gave the band a comprehensive feel for how the piece needs to be played to attain a good result at the competition.