Beaumont School Music Department

For Stephen Hawking's 75th Birthday, the Choir Gonville and Cauis, Cambridge (where he has been a Fellow for 52 years) commissioned the composer Cheryl Frances-Hoad  to write a choral piece for him, the theme being the universe.  In the video below, we get a small insight into her creative process and how she set about finding some words to create her musical image of the universe. In the piece, Frances-Hoad uses Newtonian physics, NASA space sounds and a children's poem as her inspiration.  The coming together of the arts, literature and science results in quite an ethereal work. You can read more here about the influences in the piece and watch the two videos below.  You will also recognise our lovely alumna Alice Webster as one of the three soloists, who asks some of the questions which Hawking asks in his Brief History of Time while the choir repeats "Sun, moon, stars".

Please find below some information about Music exams during exam week: Year 7 Your exam will be mainly listening based, with a short written element. You will be asked about: Instruments of the Orchestra Samba Fanfares General listening/musicianship Year 8 Your exam will be mainly listening based, with a short written element. You will be asked about: Riffs The Blues Folk Music New Directions (Terry Riley's 'In C' and Steve Reich's 'Clapping Music') Year 10 Your exam will be a shortened version of a GCSE listening exam. Topics will include Areas of Study we have looked at since the start of the course. How to revise? Listen to music! Links to Spotify playlists for certain topics can be found below: Year 7: Fanfares Year 7: Instruments of the Orchestra Year 7: Samba Year 8: Riffs Year 8: The Blues Year 8: New Directions Year 8: Folk Music DSO KIDS - A great resource for instruments of the orchestra. ...

Lucky you! Every day this month, open a door to our Advent Calendar and listen to a track chosen by Mr Guinane, Ms Doan or Mr Burrett. Most tracks will be seasonal (how about a whistle stop tour through  our carols over the years?!) but we might even slip in music that we simply just love. Click here or below, save the link and get listening. Wishing you a wonderful lead up to Christmas. Mr G, Ms D and Mr B.

On Saturday, Ms Doan will be playing in the Amadeus Chamber Orchestra Concert in St Saviour's Church at 7.30pm. On the programme, every string player's dream: Bach Violin Concerto in E, a Handel Concerto Grosso and some Lennox Berkeley too. If you are in Senior Strings, you will love this. If you are in Year 9, two of the styles you will be studying at GCSE feature in this programme.  Arts Award students will also enjoy this. In actual fact, if you enjoy music on any level, you will enjoy this concert.  Please come. It's £3 for students, and you can buy your tickets in advance by clicking here , or you can get them on the door. Hope to see you there.

Hi all, Stuck on repeat: why we love repetition in music I just wanted to share this article; as a fan of all things repetitive in modern music, this is right up my street. This is 'my jam'. Have a read, and have a listen if something interests you. Cheers, Mr G

Year 9 Ten Pieces – Creative Response Now we have researched and played some of the Ten Pieces, I would like you to compose a creative response. You have 2 options: 1. Remix “The Halls of the Mountain King”.  Here is the link to the Soundation Login Page I have created a file containing the main melody. I would like you to add some loops underneath this piece to create a remix. HINT: If you are adding Bass line or another melody over the top, then try to use ones that say “D” at the beginning of them. The file is in the CRL > Pupil Area > Music > Year 09 Here you will find the file needed for your remix. You will need to import it from Soundation.       2.  You can compose your own piece based upon the mood of one of the “Ten Pieces”. You can either compose this on the Keyboards or on Soundation. An example: Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto Finale, you might think this is happy and bouncy. You wo...

Click the links below to access everything you need to complete the booklets you have been given. Read the booklets carefully! Performance Videos Introduction Videos Ten facts about each piece Composer profiles Extension: Parts for the pieces  (look these us on your phone, but choose carefully)

Year 9, click here to access the video you will need for the next 3-4 lessons.

Click here to listen to it.

Right people listen up. Esteemed alumni Sarah Walker is organising a concert to raise funds for her planned trip to Tanzania and Malawi, where she plans to undertake important work as part of her gap year. It is an amazing project so get involved! When: This Sunday, 15th September, 7pm Where: Cunningham Hill Junior School, Cell Barnes Lane The evening will feature a huge range of performances from ex- and current Beaumont students. It promises to be a fantastic evening full of Music. Entry is FREE but donations to help Sarah fund her trip are welcome! Spread the word, and once again, get involved!