Last Tuesday’s Co-Curricular Fair was an excellent way to introduce lots of new Ratcliffians to our department, and we were thrilled to have so many new sign-ups to our activities. This week it has been wonderful to resume rehearsals for our various ensembles, including the Choir and Orchestra, and already things are looking in very good shape for events coming up this term.
We have also been delighted to announce our second collaboration with the Drama department, following last year’s highly successful production of ‘Shrek’. This year, our talented students will take to the stage to perform ‘Matilda the Musical’, and if this weeks’ auditions were anything to go by, it’s going to be an absolute hit! Congratulations to all those cast and we look forward to starting rehearsals with a vengeance next week.
There is lots to look forward to this half term alone, starting with next Saturday’s Open Morning. We look forward to hosting the first ever Ratcliffe Open Orchestra rehearsal, so make sure to pop in and see us in the Music Hall at 10am. Our first performance event of the year, the Lockhart Garden Recital, will take place on Tuesday 23rd September – the sign-up sheet is filling up nicely, and hopefully the sun will shine! And finally, we are very much looking forward to our Year 7 students taking to the Ratcliffe Senior stage for the first time at the Year 7 Informal Concert on Tuesday 7th October at 5pm – parents and guardians have all been sent a letter inviting them to attend, and students can sign up to perform in their class Music lessons.
We will also begin rehearsals for our upcoming adventure to Los Angeles on Monday, ahead of our departure on Saturday 18th October. Rehearsals will take place every Monday lunchtime, and we will be singing a variety of British classics sure to entertain our audience at a homeless shelter on Central City East, guaranteed to be a moving and humbling experience for all involved. I would also like to draw your attention to the opportunity for Choir members to attend a retreat weekend at Ampleforth College from November 7th-9th, a wonderful way to increase musicianship whilst also enjoying a social weekend away in a beautiful setting. All those interested should sign up via the Google Form ASAP.
Wishing you all an enjoyable, musical fortnight.
Mr Harris, Director of Music
