Music
Mrs Cass leads music at Katherine Semar schools.
As an accomplished musician herself, she leads a team of 10 peripatetic teachers who teach at Katherine Semar offering musical instrument lessons. From trumpet to piano and drums to clarinet, from trombone to upper strings, our talented music teachers work brilliantly within the school to create musicians. Almost half of our children now play a musical instrument in addition to our specialist music teaching.
Katherine Semar boasts its own orchestra, led by the celebrated Mrs Janet Wheeler, whose own website can be found here. Our orchestra welcomes members of the school community who have reached Grade 1 or above and is also accessible for the parents and grandparents of the children in school. It has played at the prestigious Saffron Hall and performs in other music concerts each term. We also have two choirs, which perform within school, to the local community and at the O2 Arena.
There are 10 things you should know about music at Katherine Semar.
We recognise that:
1. Music boosts school improvement.
2. Music improves learning skills.
3. Music fosters team working.
4. Music builds life skills.
5. Music underpins better behaviour.
6. Music encourages creativity.
7. Music is for life.
8. Music is an educational building block.
9. Music is fun.
10. Music is for everyone.
To mark the end of the school year, the children of Katherine Semar Musical Theatre club wish to say goodbye to you!
Our Year 5 & 6 Choir had the most amazing experience recently performing at Young Voices as part of the world’s largest choir at London’s o2 Arena. The children (and parents who attended in the audience) all had an amazing time. It was an incredibly long and tiring day, and we were so proud of them all.
We have a recording of our choir practising for the Spirit of Christmas Concert 2024 which we take part in each year -
Recent Orchestra and Choir Performances -
Orchestra - https://youtu.be/ykM8sU25MX4
Orpheus - Choir performance - https://youtu.be/EfbEa1lwa54
See you later, alligator - https://youtu.be/sZMrG5VNJRo
Atoelombe - https://youtu.be/bC0fFr-NEP0
Round and Round Dance - https://youtu.be/H2XHQBZi95Y
Dragon Boat Song - https://youtu.be/3ykTpZRiPXQ
Katherine Semar Junior choir performed their last concert of the year on Thursday 27th June 2024. The children had worked very hard for this performance, led by the wonderful Mrs Wheeler.
The concert presented a selection of songs from the piece Yanomamo, by Peter Rose and Ann Conlan. This piece explores the beauty of the rainforest, and the interconnection between its animals, plants and people - the Yanomami.
We performed to the school in the afternoon and then again to parents after school. Several pupils had the opportunity to showcase their singing with solo spots. Bella performed The Sloth, a beautifully slow and ponderous song requiring great vocal control and poise. Eleanor, Martha, Katie, Poppy and Lulu introduced us to The Jungle Garden, singing their solo lines with sensitivity.
The songs were linked with some narration, ably delivered by Bethan, Florence, Evie, Evan, Lily, Rose, Julia and Lulu.