_(1).jpg "The Key Stages")
Over the Christmas break, I was lucky enough to be sent by the School to our sister school in the UK, Sherborne Girls, a Years 7-13 all girls' boarding school two hours west of London. I went there hoping to be inspired and motivated by fabulous teaching, amazing music and wonderful people. I was not disappointed.
Over the three weeks, I met some extremely passionate and highly-skilled teachers who welcomed me with open arms into their classrooms, boarding houses and ensemble rehearsals. I observed wonderful teaching, taught some classes myself, went on excursions, conducted choirs, gave professional development training to the music staff and I even watched a game of lacrosse on a Saturday afternoon when the temperature was four degrees! Of course, I also completed some mandatory shopping in London and surrounding towns such as Bath and Bristol.
The highlight of my time was meeting John Jenkins, the Director of Music at Sherborne Girls, and his wonderful music staff. John is an amazing musician, conductor and public speaker, and I cherish the one-on-one time I had to talk with him and to reflect on our respective music departments. Watching him conduct his outstanding choir the "Madrigals", a classical version of our Enchante and the combined Sherborne Symphony Orchestra was a real treat.
Being located very closely to Sherborne School, the two schools combined for several musical groups including their Sinfonia and Symphony Orchestra. I have been inspired to try to make closer links with our local boys' schools' music programmes on the back of observations I made from watching these two schools so successfully connect on a musical level. In fact, I am currently working on a combined Concert Band venture with PAC on 12 April, the last week of school.
I am truly blessed to have been given the chance to venture to the other side of the world to collaborate with and learn from other music educators and I thank the School for giving me this opportunity.
Sally Rounsevell, Director of Music
