WELCOME TO THE EXTRA-CURRICULAR MUSIC BLOG FOR 2022-23!

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

Summer Term 2023

Whole School Singing Assembly - Thursday 20th July

We gathered together this morning for the last singing assembly of the academic year. Thank you so much to Years 3 and 4 for sharing what they have been learning in music lessons this half term with Mrs Gomar, and to Year 6 for sharing their song 'Six', which they will be performing to parents and guardians in their leavers' assembly tomorrow. It has, once again, been a pleasure to share so many music making opportunities this year! 

Piano assembly - Monday 17th July

It was the last of our performance assemblies this morning, with six of our talented pianists performing for a live audience of hundreds (including special guests Reception and numerous pianist family members!). We were once again treated to children from Years 3 - 6 playing for us, ranging in experience from those who have been learning since September to two children that have just successfully passed their Grade 3 exams. Each of them played with confidence and beautiful musicianship and should be very proud of their performances. 

We were so impressed with the children that were brave enough to perform for us this morning and would like to thank their teacher, Mrs Kropman (Miss Kropman's mum!), for working so hard with them each week throughout the year. If anyone has been inspired to learn the piano as a result of this assembly, please speak to Miss Kropman. 

Drums assembly - Friday 14th July

This morning saw a superb array of talented percussionists take to the stage in our end of term drums assembly. Featuring children from Years 3 - 6, each performer got the whole school nodding and tapping along to well know pop classics. From Max's excellent 'Smells like Teen Spirit' to George C's 'Play that Funky Music', the audience LOVED this morning's concert and were sad when it ended! Every one of our drummers played with confidence and accuracy, using various parts of the drum kit with ease. Well done to all of the children that performed for us today. We were blown away by their playing and would like to thank their teacher, Matt, for working so hard with them each week. If anyone has been inspired to learn the drums as a result of this assembly, please speak to Miss Kropman. 

Guitar assembly - Thursday 6th July

In the second of today's music assemblies, we had the pleasure of hearing nine superb guitarists - all of whom learn each Tuesday or Thursday in school with Mr Nicola. We were once again joined by a supportive audience made up of Years 1 - 6 and an enthusiastic group of family members. The nine performers demonstrated no evidence of nerves as they wowed us all with their skill, tuning and musicality whilst playing a range of classical pieces. Well done to those children who were performing for the first time today (after only beginning lessons this academic year) and to those experienced children who showcased their many years of practice. We were all very impressed with their ability and would like to thank Mr Nicola for teaching them so well this year. If anyone has been inspired to learn the guitar as a result of this assembly, please speak to Miss Kropman. 

Cello assembly - Thursday 6th July

In today's morning music assembly, our five talented LKS2 cellists performed to the school and watching family members! From Megan K, who has been learning for two years, to Florence who only started lessons in February, each of the girls played with excellent confidence and beautiful tone which greatly impressed the audience. We particularly enjoyed the group's depiction of a day in the life of an octopus, and we were then treated to Mrs Lines playing us the James Bond theme tune at the end of the assembly! Well done to all of them and thank you to Mrs Lines for teaching them so well this year. If anyone has been inspired to learn the cello as a result of this assembly, please speak to Miss Kropman. 

Violin assembly - Wednesday 5th July

In the first of our end of term music assemblies, the violinists took to the stage this morning in front of a large live audience! All eight of these talented musicians have worked incredibly hard throughout the year, with Evie and James taking their Grade 2 and Christopher his Grade 3 exam just last week! Ranging from our youngest performer in Year 2 to our more experienced Year 6s, every child played with accurate tuning, timing, dynamics and confidence and should be very proud of themselves. Well done to all of them and thank you to Miss Gardner for teaching them so well this year. If anyone has been inspired to learn the violin as a result of this assembly, please speak to Miss Kropman. 

Village Day Talent Show - Saturday 17th June

After winning their class heats, one representative from each of our classes took to the stage at the height of Village Day to battle it out for overall school glory! Whilst Ms Sharkey and Miss Kropman assisted each contestant onto the stage, the judging was, this time, left to an experienced West End professional. Sarah, who runs a theatre school in Cuffley, was exceptionally impressed with the high standard of our performances and found it very tricky to pick a winner. All of the finalists were awarded with one hundred points for their house, and the overall victor also given a term's free attendance at Sarah's Saturday school. Congratulations to....DEMI! Well done to all of the children for performing so brilliantly.

Members of KS2 taking part in Potters Bar and district Schools' Music Association concert at The Wyllyotts - Wednesday 7th June 

On Wednesday 7th June, our choir and orchestra members took to the stage in a massed concert featuring musicians from five different local primary schools. POTSMA - set up and led by Miss Kropman - is an organisation designed to showcase local musical talent and tonight was a perfect example of this! Whilst our orchestra featured just the talented Brookmans Park musicians, our choir were joined by Cranborne, Northaw, Oakmere and Pope Paul to perform a number of songs based on the theme ‘Beyond the Sea’. 
This annual concert was, once again, a sell out at The Wyllyotts theatre. The orchestra took centre stage first, performing Rule Britannia by Thomas Arne and the theme tune to Pirates of the Caribbean by Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer. After a rousing standing ovation, the choir took over, with hits such as Under the Sea, I am Sailing, Pirates and Surfin’ USA leading to rapturous applause! Solos were sung beautifully by Gloria, Tegan, Mabel and Serafina in Year 6, whilst Year 5’s Chloe, Demi, Evie, Georgia, Veronika, Ellie, Frankie, Olivia W and Violet narrated spectacularly.

As in previous years, children from our school were absolutely incredible role models for Brookmans Park and music across the district. Miss Kropman is incredibly proud of everyone who performed in POTSMA 2023 and can’t wait for next year!

Orchestra members:

Year 6 - Christopher, Daniel, George C, Elsie, James, Luke, Tegan

Year 5 - Atoor, Ellie, Evie, Georgia, Hannah, Jude, Olivia T, Olivia W, Violet 

Year 4 - Megan 

Year 3 - Ayla, Liam, Sophie 

Choir members:

Year 6 - Gloria, Mabel, Serafina, Tegan

Year 5 - Chloe, Demi, Ellie, Evie, Finley, Frankie, Georgia, Hannah, Josie, Lydia, Megan, Molly, Olivia W, Sophia, Veronika, Violet, Zach 

Year 4 - Catherine, Emma, Isobella, Molly, Rosie, Thomas

Year 3 - Ayla, Florence, Emily, Juliet, Mary, Raya, Ruby, Sophie 

UKS2 Performing in Singing Assembly - Thursday 18th May

UKS2 have been enjoying singing 'Let it Be' by The Beatles in their music lessons with Miss Kropman this term, and showcased this to Years 1 - 4 in assembly this morning. Check out the two-part harmony and dynamic control in this beautiful performance! 

Year 6 Drumming Workshop with Kris Banks from Hertfordshire Music Service - Thursday 20th April

During a busy morning of SATS revision, Year 6 were treated to a fantastic, stress-relieving bucket drumming session! Kris first taught us a number of warm up techniques focusing on call and response, building accurate rhythmic patterns and encouraging unity. Following this, we were shown how to hold drum sticks effectively and use them to make A LOT of noise on the base of a bucket! Throughout the lesson, Year 6 explored how to vary dynamics and some of us even tried our hand at conducting. The session ended with us splitting into two and playing competing rhythms, which Miss Kropman and Mrs Fisher were very impressed with!  

We would all like to thank Kris for such a fun lesson and are sure that Year 5 and Year 4 can't wait for their sessions over the next two weeks.

Andy and the Odd Socks perform LIVE! - Tuesday 18th April

As a reward for our winning anti-bullying week video Tweet, Andy and the Odd Socks came to perform a live concert to the whole school on Tuesday afternoon. This was an incredible, musical way to kickstart the term and we all greatly enjoyed singing along to fantastic songs with a powerful message to celebrate difference. At the end of the show, we also got to ask questions about the instruments and what it is like to be a musician. We hope you enjoy looking at the pictures and videos below!

Spring Term 2023

Music assembly for Years 4, 5 and 6 with Kris Banks from Hertfordshire Music Service - Thursday 30th March

Years 4 - 6 were treated to an exciting assembly this morning, led by Kris Banks from Hertfordshire Music. Kris runs a music centre from Dame Alice Owen's on a Saturday, and is keen to get as many of our children as possible enjoying local music opportunities! As a result, he is going to lead a percussion workshop for our three oldest year groups next term and, in order to whet their appetites, led a fantastic half an hour session for us in the hall today. The children sang and used body percussion for George Ezra's 'Shotgun', demonstrating incredible vocal and rhythmic technique, as you can see below! Miss Kropman is now very much looking forward to seeing the outcome of next term's workshops with such musical children! 

Miss Kropman's KS2 Choir Performing at Young Voices, Wembley Arena - Monday 6th February

On Monday 6th February, thirty-three incredible singers from Year 3 - 6 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 plethora of amazing songs and medleys since September, the choir were in fine voice (quite literally!) as they began the afternoon rehearsals. Excitingly, we learnt that we would be performing with famous artists such as The Beatbox Collective, Urban Strides, Heather Small (from The M People) and violinist Anna Phoebe. 

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 bouncing in their seats! We 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 we all had! Miss Kropman is SO proud of all of our singers for representing our school with utter aplomb throughout the whole day and for (in what could possibly be argued as a slightly biased opinion) being the best choir there! We would all like to thank Mrs Kropman (Miss Kropman's mum), Mr Fennell and Ms Sharkey for coming with us for the day, and to show our appreciation to all of the family members that were in the audience last night. Bring on next year!

Guitar assembly - Tuesday 31st January

Our eagerly anticipated guitar assembly took place this afternoon (postponed from last month's snow day), with six of our most talented guitarists taking centre stage. Incredibly, some have only been learning since September, whilst others have now been learning for three years. We were all thrilled to hear such confident performances and the audience were particularly impressed with how well Amelia has started her guitar lessons this year! Elsie's dazzling solo was also met with rapturous applause, whilst some familiar tunes feature in the videos below. Well done to all six of today's performers and thank you to Mr Nicola for teaching them so well each week. 

Although we have a waiting list, if anyone has been inspired to begin guitar lessons in schol in the future, then please speak to Miss Kropman.

Autumn Term 2022 

Piano Assembly - Monday 19th December

Our piano assembly this morning was the last of our termly instrumental concerts (with snow day affected Brass and Guitar assemblies being postponed until January). Eight talented pianists, all of whom having had weekly lessons with Mrs Kropman (Miss Kropman's mum!), took to the stage. Whilst some have only just begin their piano lessons this term, others have now been learning for three years! A special well done to James, who played Fur Elise so brilliantly that the audience applause was allegedly heard half way down Bradmore Way, and to Rosie, who only started learning in September yet played a note-perfect Cathedral Bells. All of the children demonstrated excellent confidence and showed just how hard they worked this term. Congratulations to Ayla and Amelia, who both passed their exams last week, too!  

Although we have a considerable waiting list, if anyone has been inspired to begin piano lessons in the future, please speak to Miss Kropman.

Drums Assembly - Friday 16th December

This afternoon saw yet another end of term music assembly, this time courtesy of six exceptional drummers! Having had lessons on Fridays with Mr Chivers, each and every one played with excellent enthusiasm and accurate timing. The audience certainly enjoyed themselves, with visible head bopping and toe tapping from both children and adults alike! Firm favourites included songs by Eminem, Coldplay and Cameo, and all of the boys should be so proud of their brilliant performances. 

Although we have a considerable waiting list, if anyone has been inspired to begin drum lessons in the future, please speak to Miss Kropman.

Cello and Flute Assembly - Thursday 15th December

We were treated to another excellent music assembly this morning as four cellists and seven flautists took to the stage! First up were Mrs Lines' cellists, who played a number of Christmas pieces. Impressively, only one of them had been learning for more than a term, yet they all played beautifully in tune and in time! Following this, Mrs Carter's pupils performed for us. Violet, who has been learning for two years and is working towards her Grade 2, played two carols which left the whole school in rapturous applause due to her lovely tone. The concert then ended with all of the flautists playing 'Jingle Bells' together, which was incredible considering that some of them have only been learning for a matter of weeks! The risk taking nature of this concert left Miss Kropman so proud of all of the girls, and they show such amazing potential for the future! 

If anyone has been inspired to begin cello or flute lessons in January, please speak to Miss Kropman.

Violin Assembly - Wednesday 14th December

Well done to the eight talented violinists who performed for us in assembly this morning. Taught and prepared brilliantly by Miss Gardner, each child played with excellent confidence and impressive technique (including two girls who had only been learning since September!). It was lovely to see the progression from children just beginning their lessons to those who are now working towards their Grade 3, and everyone should be very proud of themselves! A special congratulations should also go to one child who performed today despite only just being out of hospital after an operation last weekend! 

If anyone has been inspired to take violin lessons after this assembly, Miss Gardner has one slot left for January. Please speak to Miss Kropman if this interests you. 

Thirty members from Brookmans Park KS2 Choir sang carols this evening with Potters Bar Brass Band, as the local Rotary Club turned on the Xmas lights in the village. Despite the darkness, cold wind and light rain, they sang beautifully and Miss Kropman and Mrs Davies were very proud of all of them! Thank you to all of the choir families for supporting us and to Mrs Carter and Mrs Panayiotou for joining in, too! We look forward to singing carols in public again on Saturday 17th December at Christopher Place in St Albans. 

2022-23 Extra-Curricular Music Lessons for Years 2 - 6:

Every Monday (all day) - Piano lessons with Mrs Kropman

Every Tuesday morning - Brass lessons with Mr Lavelle

Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon - Guitar lessons with Mr Nicola 

Every Wednesday morning - Violin lessons with Miss Gardner

Every Thursday morning - Flute lessons with Mrs Carter and Cello lessons with Mrs Lines

Every Friday (all day) - Drums lessons with Mr Chivers 

Singing assembly takes place every Thursday morning with Miss Kropman and Ms Sharkey for all children in Years 1 - 6. 

Choir for Years 3 - 6 with Miss Kropman takes place after school on Thursday afternoon. There are also out of school events for our orchestral instrumentalists, who will be contacted separately about these.