MUSIC GROUPS
Audiences comment on how poised and controlled are the performances that pupils give at our public concerts. The experience gained when performing at Music Groups is one of the main reasons for this.
The main purpose of the Music Groups is to provide an opportunity for pupils to perform one or two pieces for each other and to hear the performances of their peers. These sessions are the training ground for larger performance occasions such as concerts and exams. It is expected that part of preparation for an exam or concert will be to play the pieces at a Music Group first. Performing is different from playing alone at home and it can be a little daunting. Therefore, it should be done regularly, and prepared for well.
FAMILY CONCERTS
From time to time, pupils of primary school age can have a family concert. Relatives (especially grandparents) and friends come along and the pupil plays for 10–15 minutes. The format is up to each family, but usually the pupil writes out a programme of the pieces to be played and plays around 12 pieces from memory.
Particularly with very young children, performing so many pieces from memory greatly impresses the grandparents!
PUBLIC CONCERTS
There are two Saturday afternoon concert days (with 2 concerts on each day!) in the school year. The concerts are held in an attractive venue which has a splendid Steinway grand piano.