Director of Music’s Fortnightly Blog – 16th January 2026
Last Friday’s Epiphany Mass was once again a beautiful occasion, with a full Choir and Orchestra contributing excellently to the congregational hymns. We were also so pleased to welcome Mrs Battrum back from her maternity leave, and delighted she was able to join us as we sung the anthem ‘There shall a star appear’ during communion.
I was very pleased to visit Trent College on Monday for the annual meeting of the East Midlands independent schools’ Directors of Music, which provided me with a wonderful opportunity to share good practice, network with like-minded colleagues and return to school brimming with ideas for the future. It is also re-assuring to be reminded what a wonderful job we do here in the Music department at Ratcliffe!
The Choir, Swing Band and Orchestra have all made excellent starts on their repertoire learning for this term, with the Choir studying Karl Jenkins’ ‘Adiemus’ and Bob Chilcott’s ‘Irish Blessing’, the Swing Band giving a good go of the ‘Ghostbusters’ theme and the Orchestra tackling possibly some of the most ambitious repertoire in my time here, the final movement of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Of course, all the ensembles are working with the same good humour and outstanding work ethic that we have come to expect, and long may this continue.
Rehearsals for our annual school musical, ‘Matilda’, continue to go along swimmingly. We cannot believe it is just over three weeks until the show! Tickets are now on sale, bookable from this link, and we do hope to see you in the Theatre at 7pm on either Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th or Friday 13th February and see the fruits of the labours of our outstanding cast and crew.
Coming up over the rest of the half term, we also have our GCSE and A Level Informal Concert at 5pm in the Music Hall next Tuesday, which we are very much looking forward to. This important yet relaxed occasion gives our exam students a vital opportunity to practise their repertoire in front of a friendly, supportive audience, and for Year 11 we will be recording some of their performances ahead of potentially sending them off to the exam board as part of their GCSE. Additionally, the Peripatetic Parents’ Evening will be taking place online on Wednesday 28th January – parents and guardians of students who learn an instrument with us will be sent a letter next week inviting them to book appointments. I hope you find this a valuable opportunity to discuss your child’s continued progress.
Wishing you all an enjoyable, musical fortnight.
Mr Harris, Director of Music
