Beaumont School Music Department

I've got loads of better things to do, but I got really excited about this piece of music today and I was compelled to blog about it. Argentinian composer Osvaldo Golijov (b. 1960) wrote this piece,  The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind, in 1994. In the words of the composer: "Eight centuries ago Isaac The Blind, the great kabbalist rabbi of Provence, dictated a manuscript in which he asserted that all things and events in the universe are product of combinations of the Hebrew alphabet's letters: 'Their root is in a name, for the letters are like branches, which appear in the manner of flickering flames, mobile, and nevertheless linked to the coal'. His conviction still resonates today: don't we have scientists who believe that the clue to our life and fate is hidden in other codes?" Notes from the composer continue  here . The piece is scored for string quartet and 'klezmer clarinet', and uses traditional Jewish melodies, including tho...

The moment some of you have been waiting for! Please come for a singing audition at the following times: Tuesday 12th September at lunchtime in Music: Year 11 & 6th form Thursday 14th September after school in Music: Years 7-10 Friday 15th September after school (1440): recalls You will be expected to sing the opening of the stage  version of the song Sound of Music . Please note this has an extra introduction which you won't have heard in the film. Music for this can be found in the red hopper outside the Music Office. A video can be found here - you need to learn from 0:00-1:23. The words are below too. My day in the hills Has come to an end, I know. A star has come out To tell me it's time to go. But deep in the dark green shadows, There are voices that urge me to stay. So I pause and I wait and I listen, For one more sound, For one more lovely thing That the hills might say! The hills are alive With the sound of music, With songs they have sung, For a...

This is an amazing cartoon. A  Silly Symphonies  short from Disney about a young forbidden love between a violin from the Land of Classical and a saxophone from the Isle of Jazz. Their interactions drive the two nations to war, but then they step back and chill out after they learn to respect all kinds of music. Can you name the famous pieces featured? Classical pieces of note include Beethoven’s  Eroica  and Wagner's 'Flight of the Valkyries'.

Thank you to those of you who auditioned for Vocal Ensemble and Training Ensemble today. The standard was excellent and I would like to reiterate what I said about not being too disheartened if you didn't get into your ensemble of choice.  Please stay in choir and continue to build your confidence there and try again next time. The places offered to you are on the understanding that you maintain your commitment to Choir and where applicable, Male Voice Choir. It is essential that you attend all rehearsals and that any reasons for missing one are given to me in advance. You must remember your music for each rehearsal too. If you are unable to adhere to this, we reserve the right to reconsider your membership. The first Vocal Ensemble rehearsal is tomorrow (Wednesday 6th September) after school until 5pm. The first Training Ensemble rehearsal is Tuesday September 19th at lunchtime. Vocal Ensemble Sopranos : Hannah Carruthers, Beth DM, Nell, Lucy, Mae, Bethany, Tamsin...

Arts Gala 2016 I thought the arts gala was a terrific performance done by all of the schools from all around the county. I thought that it could had not been done better by any other arts gala from around the world. I was really not looking forward to it and I thought it was not going to be good at all. But I was wrong, I thought that everyone who took part of the arts gala did a great job. The Great Albert Hall was the greatest privilege that I had in my whole lifetime so I thank the person who made the arts gala to tell them what a fantastic job they did.

Dear all, Auditions for our two chamber choirs will take place after school on Tuesday 5th September after school.  Please sign up on the door outside of the Music Office. You need only put down your name. This will go up some time next week.  You will be asked to sing the soprano line (tune) of  Ave Verum Corpus  by Mozart (up to bar 18). The music can be found  here , as well as in Ms Doan's red pigeon hole (outside the Music Office) from next week. If you are lower voice, please see Mr Guinane or Ms Doan for clarification. We are looking for a clear tone, accuracy of pitch and rhythm, and musicality. Pronunciation of Latin is not the most important thing. You will audition once, and should you be successful, we will place you in the appropriate ensemble. Vocal Ensemble rehearsals take place after school on Wednesdays, and Training Ensemble rehearsals at lunchtime on Tuesdays. Should you be offered a place, you will be expected to atte...