Director of Music’s Fortnightly Blog – 20 March 2026
Last Monday, our termly ABRSM exam session took place, and the exceptional results are testimony to the wonderful work of our peripatetic staff, as well as the talent and dedication of our students. Some of the many highlights include:
- Joe I – ARSM Piano Diploma – Merit
- Inigo T – Grade 8 Organ – Distinction
- Teresa C – Grade 8 Piano – Merit
- Megha T – Grade 8 Piano – Pass
- Robert H – Grade 8 Piano – Pass
These are all truly wonderful achievements, showing how valuable these exams our in motivating our students to better themselves and make further instrumental progress. A particular mention to Joe, who first touched a keyboard in Year 7 – a Diploma by Year 12 is quite something! Congratulations to everyone – the examiner was hugely complimentary of every student he saw, as well as Ratcliffe Music in general.
Last Friday’s Spring Concert was a glorious affair – held in the intimate atmosphere of the Theatre, it was a joy to showcase the fruits of our labours over the past term with so many students taking to the stage to perform. The Orchestra opened the evening with a rousing rendition of the final movement of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, making light work of such challenging repertoire and clearly evidencing the orchestral progress we are making. The Swing Band’s renditions of Ghostbusters, All Star and The Final Countdown were akin to a professional ensemble, and the Choir’s haunting interpretations of ‘Fields of Gold’ and ‘Adiemus’ were the perfect way to close off an outstanding two hours of music. Smaller ensembles also wowed, with the Guitar Ensemble rocking out to Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Voodoo Child’, the String Ensemble’s take on ‘Defying Gravity’, the Woodwind Ensemble’s interpretation of the Bizet classic ‘Carmen Seguidilla’, the Chamber Ensemble’s beautiful ‘Isabella’s Lullaby’ from The Promised Neverland, the Flute Choir’s joyful ‘Dance of the Mirlitons’ by Tchaikovsky and the Brass Ensemble’s powerful ‘Hallelujah Drive’ by Chris Hazell. Also, a special mention for the Ratcliffe Male Chorus, who made their stage debut with Take That’s ‘Rule the World’, and quite rightly were the talk of the College after their stunning performance. Super solos from Joe I, Imogen L, Beth R and John B rounded off the programme perfectly, and my sincerest thanks to all the students and staff who contributed to such a wonderful evening.
Following the huge success of our LA trip last year, I was delighted to visit Year 7-11 assemblies this week to announce our next Stateside tour – to Chicago! With activities including performing on the world-famous Navy Pier, watching a Broadway show, participating in theatre workshops and even watching a Chicago Cubs baseball game, Chicago is the perfect location for our next cultural immersion trip for the Performing and Media Arts departments, and we sincerely hope lots of students will choose to join us for this wonderful opportunity. The sign up form can be found here, and the deadline for signing up is next Friday.
We have one more week to go until the Easter break, and of course it’s a busy one in the Music department. On Tuesday, the Parent Information Evening will take place for our upcoming Choir, Orchestra and Swing Band tour to Germany, and I very much look forward to presenting the wonderful itinerary Club Europe have made for us. Then on Thursday, Music takes centre stage across the College with the annual Easter Service, followed by the infamous House Music Competition. Many students have worked extremely hard ahead of both of these events, and what an excellent way to conclude yet another highly successful musical term.
Wishing you all an enjoyable, musical Easter break.
Mr Harris, Director of Music.
