WELCOME TO THE EXTRA-CURRICULAR MUSIC BLOG FOR 2023-24!

Please see below information about what our excellent musicians have been doing outside of the classroom! 

KS1 iRock Assembly - Friday 22nd March

This morning saw the turn of our KS1 rock stars to perform the songs they have been working on this term. We had the great pleasure of watching FIVE bands perform brilliantly, with incredible confidence shown by such young musicians. Well done to everyone! 

KS2 iRock Assembly - Thursday 21st March

This afternoon, our talented iRockers took to the stage to showcase what they have been learning over the past eight weeks with their band leader, Matt. Each of the three bands performed superbly and truly got the audience rocking! Well done to all of them! 

Miss Kropman's KS2 Choir Performing at Young Voices, Wembley Arena – Thursday 1^st February

On Thursday 1^st February, twenty-nine of our most talented singers took part in the world's largest youth choir concert series, performing at the iconic Wembley Arena along with over 4,000 other singers aged 7 - 13. After rehearsing a multitude of amazing songs and medleys since September, the choir were ready and prepared as they began the afternoon rehearsals.

Following a successful afternoon, excitement levels rose even further as the audience began to take to their seats at 6pm. By the time the concert began at 7pm, however, the Brookmans Park choir were almost bursting with energy and enthusiasm to begin! They then sang our hearts out, enjoying the wonderful atmosphere and amazing sound produced. Below are just a sample of the brilliant performances from the night and some pictures which hopefully demonstrate what a super time they all had! Miss Kropman is SO proud of all of her choir and just gutted that her broken leg meant that she could not be present. She would like to say a huge thank you to Mr Peacefull for leading them on the day and to Mrs Cook, Mrs Copsey, Mrs Ray and Mrs Tomkins for supporting him, and also to Mrs Panayiotou for stepping in to lead the final two rehearsals prior to the concert. As always, we would like to show our appreciation for all of the family members that were in the audience. Bring on Young Voices 2025!

Years 1 - 6 were treated to a fantastic assembly and workshop this morning, led by the Serenity Saxophone Quartet. Kathryn, Daniel, Nathan and Jenny introduced us to four different saxophones (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) and played us a range of festive pieces. One highlight was us being only the fifth ever live audience to hear a piece especially composed for the quartet, based upon the poem 'The Night before Christmas'. We explored the different musical motifs (such as Santa and the reindeer) and also heard the superb ending before a full performance! The quartet took time to answer our questions and also played Christmas classics such as 'Carol of the Bells', 'Sleigh Ride' and 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'. This was an excellent example of how far learning an instrument can take you, and we all thoroughly enjoyed the concert. Thank you so much to the quartet for an inspirational experience!

If you would like to hear more of the Serenity Saxophone Quartet, they will be performing at Brookmans Park URC on Thursday 21st December at 3pm. 

Miss Kropman's KS2 choir entertained shoppers at the Potters Bar Farmers' Market on Sunday, performing a range of Xmas classic hits and two of their favourite medlies being prepared for the Young Voices concert in February! After being invited to sing by the market organisers, this amazing group of children did not disappoint with their beautiful singing and spreading of Christmas joy. We also managed to raise well over £60 for our school charity of the year - Cancer Research UK - with a collection taking place after we had finished singing. Thank you to all of the families and friends that supported us today. Miss Kropman was exceptionally proud of all of the children who performed!

Farmers' Market Choir: Espen, Hannah, Violet, Sophie, Juliet, Raya, Florence, Emily, Matilda, Lottie, Isla, Veronika, Leo, Christian, Sophia, Evie, Demi, Molly PB, Olivia, Emma, Amelia, Catherine, Molly S

We would also like to thank Jack (Year 6), who kindly did the tech for us today! 

In the last of our performance assemblies of the term, eight of our most talented drummers took to the stage! Each of these eight superstars learn the drums in school each Friday with Matt, and were keen to show off our brand new electric kit! The live audience was treated to a range of pop and rock classics (including 'Yellow', one of Miss Kropman's favourite songs!) and particularly enjoyed teacher Matt's final rendition of 'Levitating'. Max, Hunter, Archie, Johnny, James, Harry,  Christian and Molly all played with excellent confidence and accurate timing this morning and should be very proud of such super performances.  

It was our penultimate music assembly of the term this morning as ten of our superb pianists performed to us. Learning each Monday with Mrs Kropman (Miss Kropman's mum!) ten of her brave pupils absolutely shone with their recitals. They were: Evie, Christian, Hugo, Ayla, Theodore, Ruby, Alis, George, Liam and Florence. Ranging from Jingle Bells to Tarantella, their pieces were well-polished and great fun for the audience. Well done to all of them; they should be so proud of themselves! A special well done to Theodore, who has only been learning since the start of this half term and played brilliantly! 

We had yet another fantastic morning of music-making today, with our cellists and orchestra performing live to an audience of hundreds! Mrs Lines (our cello teacher) introduced her four pupils who all played brilliantly either as duets or solo performers. Well done to Tilly, Florence, Ayla and Megan for being such superstars! 

It was then the turn of our orchestra to shine! Playing Sailor Song, Hark the Herald and Jingle Bell Rock, they absolutely dazzled the audience and created a great deal of merriment for everyone in the hall. Miss Kropman (happily playing with them on her violin!) could not have been prouder. What these children have achieved in just a term of playing together is nothing short of miraculous, and it truly is a weekly highlight to rehearse with them. Thank you to all of the children that have played in the orchestra this term. We would love to have additional members join us in January, so please come and see Miss Kropman if you would like to be a part of the coolest orchestra in town!

Congratulations to all of our orchestra members: Jude, Kay, Zach, Liam, Max, Mary, Hannah, Violet, Ellie, Tilly, Florence, Ayla, Evie, Atoor, Sophie, Georgia and Lottie. 

In the second of our end of term music assemblies, it was the turn of some of Miss Gardner and Miss McGuinness' violin and flute pupils to perform! Elizabeth, Lottie, Evie, Georgia, Atoor, Violet, Demi and Simmi were all absolutely incredible this morning, demonstrating confidence and musicality in their pieces. You could hear a pin drop in the audience as they were all totally captivated by the range of wonderful Christmas tunes and well-rehearsed melodies. Thank you to all of them for such an enjoyable assembly, which they should be very proud of! 

If anyone has been inspired to learn the violin or flute after this assembly, please ask an adult at home to contact Miss Kropman. 

In the first of our end of term music assemblies, some of Mr Nicola's guitar students took centre stage! Performing a range of classic pieces, each guitarist played with confidence and beautiful tone, demonstrating how hard they have been working both in their lessons and in their practice at home. Our live audience of Years 1 - 6 and watching family members were very impressed and Miss Kropman is exceptionally proud of them all. The bar has been set high for the following assemblies, now! Thank you to Lucas, Zach, Max, Kay, Jessica and Olivia for being such superstars and to Mr Nicola for teaching them so well.

If anyone has been inspired to learn the guitar after this assembly, please ask an adult at home to contact Miss Kropman. 

Have you ever wanted to be in a real-life rock band? Well, now is your chance! This morning, we were treated to a fantastic live music assembly from Whitney, leader of iRock. Whitney led us in singing some of favourite pop songs - 'Dance With Me' and 'Believer' - before explaining that iRock will be offering group band lessons in school this term. Participants need not have played an instrument before, as will be taught by professional musicians in groups sizes of 2 - 6. Whitney modelled this with four INCREDIBLE volunteers from Years 2, 4 and 6 who, after only five minutes, were able to perform 'We Will Rock You' to a live audience of three hundred people in the hall! This was an engaging and fun start to the half term and we can't wait to see those children who sign up for band sessions perform for us later this term! Full details of how to sign your child up for iRock sessions will be sent home later today (or please ask Miss Kropman for more details). 

Year 6 began their ukulele lessons today, led by Hertfordshire Music Service and supported by Miss Kropman. They were incredibly fast learners and demonstrated real musicality to play in time with each other in only their first session. Impressively, they learnt how to strum the strings (both down and up strokes) and progressed to playing the chords of C, A minor and F in just an hour. We hope you enjoy watching the videos below of their first class performances - Row, Row, Row Your Boat and Ho Hey! 

Despite a nationwide supply issue delaying the arrival of our 45 ukuleles, Year 6 still got their chance to start lessons today with Kathryn McGuinness from Hertfordshire Music Service. As with our Year 5s and their trombones, both Year 6 classes will be having a weekly thirty minute ukulele lesson throughout the year. Today, we spent our lessons exploring pulse and rhythm, and even progressed to using some notation!

Year 5 got to experience their first ever trombone lesson this morning, led by Mr Connor Gingell from Hertfordshire Music Service. Excitingly, each class will be having a weekly thirty minute lesson throughout the year, where they will be learning how to play the instrument in addition to various musical elements such as rhythm and dynamics. We can't wait to share how they get on! Next up, Year 6 and the ukuleles!