Headmaster’s Update – Motivated by music
With only two teaching days and welcome spring sunshine encouraging time outdoors at lunchtimes, the gentle start to term certainly benefitted us all. However, this week has seen a clear return to the full pace and energy of school life.
In assembly on Monday, I will be delighted to present music colours, rhino badges (to Year 12 students who have successfully completed their Ivy House qualification), and certificates for both the Chemistry Olympiads and Intermediate Maths challenges. I will also have the pleasure of welcoming visiting teachers and pupils from our partner school in Spain, who are with us as part of our annual Spanish exchange.
Our music programme is similarly in full swing, with the piano concert having taken place last night, and the annual brass and wind concert for Rotary taking place this evening. Next week brings the singers’ concert, followed just two weeks later by an opportunity for our guitarists to shine. I am very grateful to Mr Barker, our Director of Music, for leading our wonderful music department, and for writing this week's update:
We are ever grateful for the hard work and dedication of our young musicians at LGS, and the support we receive from parents and colleagues across the school community.
This was clearly demonstrated by the 200+ performers who took part in our Choral and Orchestral Concert in March, in which the Lower School Singers joined forces with the LGS Chorus 2026 and the First Orchestra.
We struck a celebratory note with Bollywood hits ‘Jai Ho’ and ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’, alongside traditional repertoire by Mozart, Haydn and Hubert Parry, with Cat Burns, Simon & Garfunkel and Coldplay thrown in for good measure.
We were also delighted to announce our first raft of Platinum Music Colours for six exceptional Year 13 students, whose music-making endeavours have been consistent, long-lasting and have had a regional and national impact. In addition, over 60 pupils from Years 6-13 received bronze, silver or gold colours this week, in recognition of their dedication and commitment to the musical life of the school. In short, they have been working hard to enjoy their music – and it shows. A big “thank you” to you all!
We were thrilled to learn last week that one of our partners, Youth Brass 2000, were crowned National Youth Brass Band Championships for the 11th year. The LGS Music Department is basking in the reflected glory of this remarkable achievement. Congratulations once again to Chris Jeans, our brass coordinator, and to the ten LGS pupils involved.
Amazingly, Youth Brass 2000 will be sharing the stage with the LGS Big Band this evening, and we hope you are able to join us.
We are far from finished, with concerts for pianists, singers and guitarists, as well as a soirée at Billesdon Church, all taking place before June’s Lower School Concert. Thank you, all, for Keeping the music flowing.
There is no doubt that music sits at the very heart of our school life, enriching the experience of those pupils who delight in performing and bringing equal pleasure to the many of us who enjoy listening. It is a constant reminder of what can be achieved when talent, commitment and community come together.
Have a great weekend,
Magnus Anderson
Headmaster