Author Archives: glenmarsden

  1. GCSE Examination Success

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    It gives us great joy to announce that our GCSE students have achieved some of the best grades ever. The talented cohort have done incredibly well with almost 80% of grades awarded at grades nine, eight and seven.

    This cohort, similar to the Year 13s, have had to get used to the ever-changing goal posts that this year’s exam season has brought. They have done this with good grace, and a maturity which will stand them in good stead for their next step into post-16 education.

    There are some notable highlights that everyone involved with Chetham’s should be very proud of:

    • 38% of results were at grade nine.
    • One class of students in Year 10 sat GCSE Music a year early and every one achieved grade nine.
    • Two students achieved a ‘full house’ of 8 grade nines.
    • 11 students, or 28% of the Year 11 cohort, achieved all grade eights and nines.

    It is more than appropriate to pay tribute to the staff who have worked incredibly hard, under difficult circumstances, to ensure that students have been able to achieve their well-deserved GCSE grades. We must also mention our supportive families who have encouraged their children to keep going, even when things have been so uncertain.

    We also wish to give a further update since the A-Level results were announced on Tuesday. We can proudly say that nearly every one of our Year 13 students have been accepted into their first choice of University and Conservatoire!

    Two students to Oxford, two (hopefully three) to Cambridge, two to Durham, one to each of Bristol and Bath, five to King’s College London, and one to each of Liverpool, Dundee, Salford and Birmingham. These are in addition to the students who have gained generous scholarships to go to Royal College of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Royal Northern College of Music, Birmingham Conservatoire and Royal Academy of Music, plus many more in this country and overseas. It is very clear that the academic life of the School enables our young, musically talented students to achieve the very best grades, instilling a tremendous work ethic and focus on achievement.

    Bravo to our GCSE students, you have shown resilience, grit and determination and deserve to enjoy every bit of your examination success.

  2. Chetham’s students ‘hit the right note’ with A level results

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    Congratulations to our Year 13 students, who achieved an outstanding set of A level results this year. In what has been an unprecedented year in education our students and staff rose to the challenge of a hybrid online and in person School offer. Our students have needed to cope with uncertainty, they have been required to adapt, to learn in different ways, in different locations and using different tools and for this year have their work assessed such as non-examined assessments.

    There has been a rigorous process undertaken to ensure that grades are accurate, holistic and fair. Grades were assessed by teachers, before being ratified by a senior team and scrutinised by the exam boards. We are pleased to report that our grades were accepted by the exam boards without modification.

    Almost 70% of grades were A* or A, simply outstanding! We have 37 students, almost half of the cohort scoring all A or A *. We have also maintained our 100% pass rate and nine students scored three or more A* grades, of whom one gained four A*s, and one a staggering five A*s as well as 2 Maths STEP papers (grade tbc).

    There have been other triumphs and individual successes, such as those students whose learning was disrupted due to the impact of Covid and those with special educational needs who have smashed through barriers to complete their courses, and gain stunning results that enables them to attend a top Conservatoire or University.

    Joint Principal, Nicola Smith said, ‘We are incredibly proud of our brilliant and hardworking young people. They have achieved their well-earned grades through perseverance and old-fashioned graft. It can’t go without saying that our teachers have also been outstanding in what has been the most turbulent year in the job.’

    We all wish our young people luck, and good wishes for the next part of their onward Journey – Bravo class of 2021!

  3. New Lunchtime Concert: Violin, recorder, flute & more

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    Friday’s lunchtime concert, featuring solo, accompanied and ensemble performances, is now available to stream on our YouTube Channel.

    Each week, our online lunchtime concerts showcase the work of our young Chetham’s musicians, who have been learning remotely throughout lockdown.

    This concert, the penultimate in our current series features a wide range of music, including pieces composed by Bach, Goedicke, Gillingham and Mendelssohn.

    You can watch the concert below, and don’t forget that all our previous lunchtime concerts are compiled in this handy playlist.

    PROGRAMME

    BACH — Concerto in D minor for two violins, BWV 1043 (3’41″)
    I. Vivace

    Laura, Katie Stillman — violin
    Elena Nalimova — piano

    BACH — Violin Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001 (4′)
    I. Adagio

    Casey-Joan — violin

    TELEMANN — Fantasia No.2 BWV 40:3 (4’39″)
    I. Grave
    II. Vivace
    III. Adagio
    IV. Allegro

    Mabel — recorder

    GOEDICKE — Concert Etude in G minor, Op. 49 (3′)

    Ted — trumpet
    Gemma Webster — piano

    GILLINGHAM — Sonata for bass trombone (3’53″)
    I. Allegro

    Megan — bass trombone
    Gemma Webster — piano

    W. GRANT STILL — Summerland (3’30″)

    Alanagh — flute
    Nick Oliver — piano

    MENDELSSOHN — Octet Op.20 in Eb major (15’11″)
    I. Allegro moderato con fuoco

    Faye, Elena, Sanni, Kiana — violin
    Mitzi, Jamie — viola
    Joseph, Adam — cello

  4. NEW Lunchtime Concert: Friday 26 June

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    The latest in our Friday lunchtime concert series features piano, vocal and saxophone.

    Our online concerts are recorded at home by our Chetham’s musicians, for you to enjoy in your home.

    Tune in at 1.30pm every Friday on our YouTube channel.

    Watch this week’s concert, from Friday 26 June, here:

  5. Lunchtime Concert Broadcast: Friday 5 June

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    Join us on Friday 5 June at 1.30pm, for a lunchtime concert, broadcast directly to you.

    Our online lunchtime concerts series continues, streaming here every Friday throughout lockdown.

    Comprised of new performances, created at home by our talented young musicians, the concert will premiere on our YouTube Channel and will be available on this page too. You can set a YouTube reminder to be notified when the concert premieres so you don’t miss out!

    Watch:

    PROGRAMME

    Beethoven – Für Elise
    Cameron – piano

    Gordon Jacob – Robot March
    Sean – cello
    Elena Nalimova – piano

    Massenet – Meditation
    Oona – violin
    Martyn Parkes – piano

    Grieg – Waltz Op.12 No.2 in A minor
    Liam – piano

    Pablo de Sarasate – Malagueña Op.21 No.1
    Lily-May – violin
    Simon Passmore – piano

    Debussy – Première Rhapsodie
    Robbie – clarinet
    Martyn Parkes – piano

  6. NEW Lunchtime Concert Broadcast: Friday 29 May

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    Join us on Friday 29 May at 1.30pm, for a lunchtime concert, broadcast directly to you.

    This is the first in our new series of online lunchtime concerts, streaming here every Friday throughout lockdown.

    Composed of new performances, created at home by our talented young musicians, the concert will premiere on our YouTube Channel and will be available on this page too. You can set a YouTube reminder to be notified when the concert premieres so you don’t miss out!

    WATCH:

    PROGRAMME:

    Telemann – Fantasia No.7 in Eb major TWV 40:20
    i. Dolce
    ii. Allegro

    Naghi – violin

     

    attrib. Alessandro Stradella – Pieta Signore
    Tchaikovsky – Humoreske

    Austin – cello
    Simon Passmore – piano

     

    Walter Carroll – The Reef

    Laura – piano

     

    Tchaikovsky – Valse Sentimale

    Casey-Joan – violin
    Nick Oliver – piano

     

    Messiaen – Regard No.6 Par lui tout a été fait (“Through Him everything was made”)

    James – piano

  7. 2020 Easter Message

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    At this time of year we would normally welcome guests, alumni, parents, students and colleagues to Manchester Cathedral for Founder’s Day.

    We would be holding a service in thanksgiving to the gift of Humphrey Chetham, our founder, and to recognise the work of the Chetham’s Foundation.

    This year, more than ever, this Founder’s Day is all about connection. We cannot meet in person this year, but we are still able to unite in our love of music.

    Have the most joyous Easter.

    Alun Jones,
    Principal

  8. Covid-19: Students begin online learning

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    We are pleased to confirm that online learning has now begun for all students at Chetham’s School of Music.

    The school’s leadership would like to thank all students, parents, guardians, teachings staff and support staff for their rapid response to the challenges presented by Covid-19.

    The reaction of our Chetham’s community to this remarkable shared challenge has been truly heartwarming.

    It is inspiring to observe the passion and dedication demonstrated by students and staff towards their music, learning and teaching.

    While it will take a few more days for everyone to get to grips with the full range of remote learning systems at our disposal, we are working hard to roll out these solutions; and are thankful to the wonders of modern technology at this time.

    We can confirm that remote teaching will be in place now until the Easter holidays.

    Unfortunately, all public concerts involving our incredible young Chetham’s musicians will be cancelled during this period. Ticket holders for public concerts are being notified directly. Please bear with us while we do this.

    Further updates will be issued directly to students, parents and guardians as we have them, as well as on the Chetham’s website.

    Alun Jones,
    Principal