Kate and Chris were pleased to perform with their students at King’s School on Wednesday last week at the Senior School Christmas Concert. Though it was an early start for the Christmas celebrations, it certainly got everyone in the festive spirit! The opening music of the concert was from King’s Brass. The solemn but beautiful sounds of Henry Purcell’s Anthem from the Music for Queen Mary II was followed by two Christmas pieces (Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – arranged for the group by Kate – and Walking In A Winter Wonderland) which brought the spirit of Christmas to the fore.

The Prep School Christmas concert takes place next week with more festive hits to round off the term!

Kate and Chris performed in the King’s Orchestra Day on the 30th of September alongside over 70 young musicians from seven schools for a day of music-making with a spooky twist. Pupils aged 9-13 from Ashford, Sevenoaks Prep, Lorenden Prep, Merton Court, Dartford Primary Academy, Gateway Primary School, and Wrotham Road Primary joined forces to learn and perform two iconic pieces: In the Hall of the Mountain King from Peer Gynt by Edvard Grieg and the ever-popular Ghostbusters theme by Ray Parker Jnr.

The theme for this year’s Orchestra Day was delightfully spooky, perfectly matching the Ghostbusters number and adding a touch of Halloween fun to the day. For many of the pupils, this was their first experience playing in a full-sized orchestra. Under the expert guidance of our King’s music staff, the pupils spent the morning rehearsing their parts before coming together in the afternoon for a full orchestral rehearsal.

The day culminated in an Open Rehearsal, where proud parents and staff were invited to hear the impressive progress the pupils had made in just a few hours. The young musicians showcased not only their hard work but also the joy of collaboration and the power of music to unite.

We are delighted to let you know that Medway Music Association’s Saturday Music Centre is welcoming new members! 

The Music Centre which is held at Rainham Mark Grammar School during term times starts again on Saturday 28^th September and we would really appreciate it if you would share this opportunity with your pupils.  

The sessions run at the Music Centre are for complete beginners (no experience required) to the more advanced musicians, aged between 5 (Year 1) and 18 (Year 13).  

All the information can be found at www.medwaymusicassociation.co.uk/saturdaymusiccentre

We have also attached the Music Centre Timetable and Session Descriptions below.

For any enquiries, please email info@medwaymusicassociation.co.uk 

On Tuesday 25th June, the curtain went up on Mr Mountford’s final concert at King’s, who leaves for pastures new. As such it was a special event, with heavy involvement from Kate, Chris and the brass department pupils.

King’s Brass opened the concert with the Grand Chœur Dialogué arranged for brass ensemble and organ, featuring Jeremy Lloyd who will also be leaving at the end of this term. This was followed by Kate’s arrangements of Concierto de Aranjuez (Rodrigo) and The Mandalorian (Goransson). Next came performances by the Jazz and Wind Bands and Orchestra.

The first half drew to a close with the first of the leaver’s solos, from Hugh on the mighty cathedral organ, playing Saint-Saens’ finale from Symphony No. 3, supported by Kate, Chris and other tutors and returning Old Roffensians (ORs) in the orchestra.

The second half included a performance on trumpet by William and his beautifully executed Spider and the Fly by Britten.

The evening closed with a grand performance from choir, orchestra and audience, of the Medway Hymn, the last movement of Thomas Hewitt Jones’s Regards from Rochester.

Farewell Mr Mountford – Head of Music – from all of us at Sound Roots who have had the pleasure of working with you at King’s; you will be sorely missed!