Thomas Adams School Music Department Blog

2010-12-06T08:22:00.002Z

Here's the college band with an arrangement of 'I've Got You Under My Skin'

'KIDS'

2010-12-06T08:15:00.002Z

Here's Mike with his version of 'Kids' by KTMG.

Thankyou for the music...

2010-11-16T08:34:00.002Z

Here are the Lower School Choir performing an arrangement of Abba's 'Thankyou for the music'. They were rehearsed by two of our senior students, Grace and Kate.

Whistle Down The Wind

2010-11-13T12:25:00.004Z

"Whistle Down the Wind" is here performed by Meg. The song is from the musical of the same name based on the 1961 film Whistle Down the Wind with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Jim Steinman.

Is This Love?

2010-11-10T11:37:00.005Z

Here's Jonnie with the Bob Marley classic 'Is This Love'... with a twist. It was released on his 1978 album Kaya. The song became one of the best known Marley songs and was part of the Legend compilation. It peaked at number 9 in the UK charts on its release in 1978.

"Desafinado"

2010-11-10T08:33:00.002Z

"Desafinado" (often translated into English as "Slightly out of Tune," but occasionally as "Off Key") is a bossa nova song composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim with lyrics by Newton Mendonça. The English language lyrics were written by Jon Hendricks and Jessie Cavanaugh. The version by Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd (from the album 'Jazz Samba') was a major hit in 1962, reaching 15 and 4, respectively, on Billboard's pop and easy-listening charts; their definitive rendering also reached No 11 in the UK, whilst Ella Fitzgerald's version could only make No 38. Jonathan's performance was in an arrangement by his guitar teacher Andrew Jones of Shropshire Music Service who is an ex-student of Thomas Adams!

Ain't Nobody..

2010-11-10T08:20:00.006Z

Here are Livi and Abby performing an 'unplugged' version of the 1983 classic hit 'Ain't Nobody' by Rufus and Chaka Khan..

Bouree - Bach

2010-07-14T08:25:00.003+01:00

Here's a lovely performance of Bach's 'Bouree' by an ensemble led by Kyle at our recent 'Music for a Summer's Evening' concert at Wem Town Hall.

Concerto for Horn - Bellini

2010-07-12T08:08:00.002+01:00

Here is a movement from Bellini's Horn Concerto played by Emma at our Spring Concert.

'Todoroki'

2010-07-02T07:53:00.003+01:00

This is the Taiko Rangers take on Mugenkyo's classic 'Todoroki' which they first played at the 5th UK Taiko Festival down in Exeter last year. It features Zach as soloist.

'Fearless'

2010-06-29T08:07:00.004+01:00

Here's the first performance by another of our junior Taiko groups who rehearse on a Monday lunch time. They're performing a piece by Jonathan Kirby of Kagemusha Taiko. The piece is designed to give beginner Taiko players the opportunity to solo in turn encouraged by their fellow players. Well done folks!

Extended Schools Junior Taiko

2010-06-28T09:24:00.006+01:00

Here's a recent performance by our most recently formed junior Taiko group taught by James Barrow. This was the first time any of them had ever taken part in a perfmance of any kind. The profile of the groups is unusual, but important. These students are all doing Taiko as part of an extended schools initiative to help broaden their experiences and develop confidence and team skills. They were incredibly nervous... but did a great job of this arrangement of a piece taught to them by James over 5 weeks (45 minutes per session).

Wem Taiko Fest Visiting Artists - James Barrow

2010-06-26T10:15:00.003+01:00

James Barrow

1986-90:Studied traditional Taiko Drumming and Yokobue flute styles in Hiroshima .

1993-95: Set up and led UK’s first regularly performing Taiko Group -”Akatsuki Daiko”. Set up UK’s first regular taiko courses at Gyosei Taiko School, with Mark Alcock, leader of London’s Taiko Meantime.

1996: Began regular performances with renowned Japanese multi-percussionist Joji Hirota.

1998: Completed course in Community Music Workshop Skills at University of London Goldsmiths College and began teaching and performing taiko full time.

1998-2000: Inset training for music teachers with Japan Festival Education Trust. Consultant on major TV advertising and Japanese animation projects. UK tour with Kagemusha’s “Brother Drum” project fusing Anglo-Celtic music with Taiko.

1998-2000 cont: Joined 3-year National Lottery-funded “Drum Orchestra” project, combining West African drum and dance, digital percussion and Taiko.

2001: Set up TAIKO WALES. Major contributor to the nation-wide Japan Festival, teaching 3,000+ participants at over 50 schools, colleges & festivals under 5 separate funded projects.

2002: First “Tekno Taiko” project at Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan, combining Taiko workshops with sampled digital rhythms, culminating in performance supporting “Mugenkyo”.

2001- 2003: Teaching taiko to young people across Shropshire as part of “Newroots” - the National Foundation for Youth Music Action Zone -based at Belmont Arts Centre, Shrewsbury, combining Taiko with DJs skills .

2004: Established TAIKO WEST as the arts education organisation promoting awareness of - and involvement in - Taiko Drumming across the West Midlands and the Welsh Borders.

2005: Developing & Composing “Tekno Taiko”. Also guest performer with London’s “Taiko Meantime” on UK & European Tour with Henri Oguike Dance Company, Winter 05/Spring ‘06

2006: Set Up new performing group “Ki”, playing original new Taiko grooves with electronic backing.

2007: Year-long Corporate Teambuilding project with First Step Management & staff of local Council . Recording & performing with “Ki”.

2008-09: Expanded corporate teambuidling with local councils. Extended schools and ongoing public workshops. Extensive series of workshops in Telford for holiday clubs & Access to Activities project for those with disabilities and learning difficulties.

Wem Taiko Fest Visiting Artists - Esther Vandecar

2010-06-26T10:12:00.001+01:00

ESTHER VANDECAR
Esther E. Vandecar
Esther has a B.S. and an MAED and two menjo for Taiko (licenses for teaching Japanese drumming). She lived, worked, studied, performed and taught in Hiroshima and on Shikoku, Japan. She started Fushicho Daiko Phoenix Drummers in Phoenix, Arizona in 1992. She has been on the Arizona Commission on the Arts roster since 1993 and with Fushicho Daiko since 1996. Her mission has been to share the wonderful Japanese culture and the art form of taiko, with as many people as possible.

Wem Taiko Fest Visiting Artists - Keisuke Moriya

2010-06-26T10:09:00.000+01:00

KEISUKE MORIYA
After learning Taiko at school in Japan, Keisuke became a senior member of the UK's first regularly performing group, Akatsuki Daiko, until 2008. During this time he also toured extensively, both nationally and internationally, with the renowned Japanese taiko player and multi-percussionist Joji Hirota. He has also been a guest member at Taiko Meantime performances on numerous occasions.

Wem Taiko Fest Visiting Artists - Emi Watanabe

2010-06-26T09:59:00.001+01:00

EMI WATANABE
Emi was born in Japan about 100km north of Tokyo. After graduating from music college in 1990 , She went on to study ryuteki and shinobue flute under Michiko Akao and three years later nohkan under Yukimasa Isso. Since then she has studied composition under the tutelage of Dr Ross Lorraino (of Kings college), has toured the country with the UK-based taiko group Mugenkyo, has appeared on BBC TV, and played at the Millennium Dome and BMIC (British Music Information Centre) and has toured extensively with Joji Hirota.

Wem Taiko Fest Visiting Artists - Liz Walters

2010-06-26T09:56:00.001+01:00

Liz Walters – Taiko Teacher & Performer (1996 – 2009)

Liz first began playing Taiko in 1996. Both awed and inspired after watching the incredible ‘Wadaiko Ichiro’ from Japan, Liz found a Taiko workshop facilitated by Mugenkyo, Britain’s first full time professional Taiko group, who on seeing Liz’s never ending passion for learning Taiko and her enthusiasm to help, asked her to join the Group as a member. Whilst with Mugenkyo, Liz experienced her first visit to Japan where she had the unique opportunity to be taught by their Taiko Master Masaaki Kurumaya. She toured the UK and abroad as a member of Mugenkyo until 1998.
Liz continued playing Taiko with other established percussionists and musicians such as renowned World Musician Joji Hirota, Tabla percussionist Peter Lockett and Chinese Flautist Guo Yue.

As well as the UK, she has toured internationally in France, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Austria, Albania, Ireland, Hungary, Malaysia, the United States and Japan.
In March 2000Liz formed Tamashii Taiko. The group have travelled extensively around the Country performing at Theatres, Festivals and other Events. The name ‘Tamashii’ has profound meaning for Liz and whilst playing with Mugenkyo, this was the ‘Kanji’ chosen by her Teacher to be worn on her ‘hapi’ coat (costume jacket). For the Japanese, this is a very strong kanji and when translated means not only ‘soul/ spirit’, but the ‘purest, innermost expression of the soul’.

Liz’s personal energy and joy from playing Taiko comes as a result of the heartfelt reaction from audiences and workshop participants. “Sometimes people come up to me after a show in tears and cannot explain why. This for me is a sure indication that the spirit of Taiko reaches in to a part of us where there are no words, only feeling and pure emotion”.

In 2002, Liz set up the Tamashii School of Taiko for people interested in learning this amazing art form. She facilitates regular Taiko workshops in London and the Home Counties for those who have never played or who have some experience of Taiko, holds one day workshops anywhere in the UK, as well as out reach programmes for Schools and Colleges.

She holds an annual residual Summer School in Oxford, where Students with or without Taiko experience can come to enjoy a more intensive and communal sense of learning.
Liz was invited in 2004 to travel to Italy to teach Students of the Zan Shin Do Dojo, by Luciano Parisi, a top Karate and Martial Arts Master. She continues to teach there today.
She returns regularly to Fukui in Japan to both perform and cultivate her Taiko skills under top Taiko Master Masaaki Kurumaya, with whom she has appeared in a Japanese National television documentary.
Masaaki Kurumaya has been Liz’s constant inspiration throughout her Taiko journey. His unique graceful and natural yet powerful and energetic style has captured the hearts of many audiences in the UK, Japan and other countries. Liz has co-facilitated International Taiko courses in Fukui with her highly respected Teacher and hopes to encourage more students of Taiko by providing further courses in the near future.
As well as Taiko, Liz trains in Martial Arts such as Tai Chi Chuan, Gong Fu ,Chi Gung and Aikido. These have provided the fundamental basics to Liz’s Taiko style and form.

"Teachers open the door but you must enter by yourself"

Wem Taiko Fest

2010-06-10T11:06:00.002+01:00

Rango at Wem Town Hall

2010-06-10T10:06:00.003+01:00

World Music @ Wem Town Hall

Rango- Wednesday 7th July 8pm

This amazing and exotic Sudanese Voodoo collective take their name from the historic and extremely rare instrument, the rango, a type of marimba. Now based in Cairo, they perform trance-inducing Sudanese acoustic folk music from mystic healing ceremonies played on vintage lyres retrofitted with electric pickups and quartertone rango idiophones, accompanied by drummers and ritual percussionists wearing mangor belts fashioned from goat horns. Rango certainly promise an unforgettable performance.

Tickets: Adult £10, Concession £8

Music for A Summer's Evening

2010-06-06T17:24:00.003+01:00

Our most recent concert was 'Music for A Summer's Evening' held in Wem Town Hall just before half-term. It was a great night of mostly vocal music with performances from Year 7 to Year 13. The programme inculded:

Hallelujah, Only You Year 7
Don't Let The Sun Go Down on Me Will
Compilation 5 Y7 performers
Chasing Pavements Adele Jasmine
Chasing Cars Snow Patrol Alice & Ben
Minuet in G Bach
Seaside The Kooks Will & Kieran
Carrickfergus Traditional Katy
Hopelessly Devoted Rebecca
Beauty & the Beast Amelia & Sharn
You are not alone Mcaulay & Choir
Truly Scrumptuous Lower School Choir
INTERVAL
Wonderwall Noel Gallagher Year 7
Nella Fantasia Ennio Morricone Grace & Megan on Oboe
She’s Always A Woman Billy Joel Sam & Jonnie
Apres Un Reve Harriet
Music For A While Kate Taylor
In un altra vita Einaudi Karen
First Love Adele Livi & Abby
Somewhere Over the Rainbow Hannah
Bouree Bach Kyle & Steve
My Favourite Things Emma
False Mike Mike
I Don't Know How to Love Him Meg
Take A Bow Holly & Karen
Let it be Lennon & McCartney Year 7 + Everyone..

Update..

2010-06-06T17:12:00.002+01:00

Thanks for the prompt. The lack of posts is directly proportional to the amount of stuff we've been getting up to in the Music Department... Now that Simon's back full time from tomorrow expect some videos of recent events (and not so recent). Anyway here's a few things to look forward to...

1. Big Band at Prees Summer Madness - Prees Recreational Club Saturday 19th June 7pm.

2. Big Band pre-tour concert at Northwood Hall Monday 21st June 7.15pm. Tickets are £6 and include a buffet.... bar licence is sorted so drinks are available to purchase. Tickets are available in advance only from school reception.

3. Taiko Rangers performing at Shropshire Youth Awards Ceremony - Friday 25th June 7pm.

4. Wem Taiko Fest - Sunday 27th June, Wem Town Hall. Programme as follows:

11.00am - 11.45am - Family Taiko (open to parents and youngsters up to age 8)
11.45am - 12.30pm- Family Taiko (open to parents and youngsters age 8 +)

11.00am - 12.30pm - Taiko workshop with Esther Vandecar, Sensei and Director of Phoenix Taiko in Arizona. (open to Adult groups and school Taiko group members)
1.30pm - 3pm - Taiko masterclass with Kesuike (open to Taiko Rangers only) Upstairs room
1.30pm - 3pm - Taiko masterclass with Liz Walters of Tamashii Taiko tbc

3pm - 5pm - Rehearsal for evening performance with the 6 Taiko groups including the adults.
7pm - Wem Taiko-Fest Performance featuring 6 Wem based Taiko groups and guest performances from James Barrow (Taiko West), Kesuike, Esther Vandecar and Liz Walters.

5. July 8th - Taiko Rangers performing at the National Festival of Music for Youth... details to follow.

Hiroshima Taiko Workshop - December 7th 2009

2009-12-26T16:00:00.002Z

On Monday December 7th the Taiko Rangers were privileged to host a Taiko Workshop on the "Hiroshima" style by James Barrow. James was responsible for starting off Taiko in Wem in 2001. It was thus a significant moment for the Rangers, many of whose siblings were amongst the first generation of Taiko Rangers. James worked the Rangers hard, introducing them to the demands of this ancient and demanding style of Taiko, of which he is an expert. Over the coming year he will hopefully work regularly with them to develop their skills. Martin had built eight stands to ensure that the Rangers could all participate fully. I'll keep you posted as to their progress. Meanwhile enjoy the pictures!

Welshampton Festival of Fire 2009

2009-10-24T13:15:00.007+01:00

Sorry about the lack of posts recently. It's not because we havn't been doing anything but rather the contrary. The first half-term has been very busy with rehearsals and then finally performances of 'The Secret Garden'. More of this later when I've finished editing the video footage!

Tonight, at 6.15pm exactly, the Welshampton Festival of Fire takes place. See the details at http://www.welshampton.org.uk/website/. The Taiko Rangers have been working with members of the community for the past 3 weeks introducing Taiko to them. Each Tuesday night they've been working with about 30 people from age 6 to considerably older... Tonight they will perform 'Sakura', one of the Taiko Rangers' pieces as part of the Festival. The Rangers will also perform. 'Todoroki' will be followed by 'Matsuri'... hopefully! The weather forecast isn't good but as I type the rain has stopped. Promises to be a great occasion. Over 5000 people came to last year's festival so let's hope we get a good turnout tonight.

Last night was the 'technical rehearsal' so here are some pictures before everything gets burnt down later on!

AS Music Composition 1

2009-07-17T11:12:00.002+01:00

This is a bit of an experiement... I wanted to share some of the composition work done by students at Thomas Adams so I've made a video file which is of course visually static but it's the music that counts. Let me know what you think. The first is by an AS Music student, Chris. We do EDEXCEL 'A' Level and so the students have to choose a composition brief and work on it under controlled conditions. Chris chose "The Night Before Battle" as his brief. The piece explores the emotions prior to a battle....

Hits Brothers...

2009-07-17T09:46:00.004+01:00

I don't quite know how to describe the final clip.... suffice to say that the evening is all about raising money for charity and is organised (?) by the 6th Form Committee. This is their final contribution.. enjoy!

Sonnet..

2009-07-17T09:27:00.002+01:00

Here's Will's performance of the Verve classic, Sonnet.

Junior Choir & Guests...

2009-07-16T12:32:00.004+01:00

Here's the junior choir singing "Penny Lane" followed by a guest performance from Dr Sparkes and Mrs Rees....(be afraid).

Youngling Taiko Rangers

2009-07-16T12:19:00.002+01:00

The Youngling Taiko Rangers perfom Jonathan Kirby's "Edge of Magic". They'd been together since September. Jamie's in charge!

When You're Gone..

2009-07-16T12:06:00.002+01:00

Abi and Rebecca performing "When You're Gone"... good stuff girls!

Valerie..

2009-07-16T11:47:00.003+01:00

Chloe and Jess singing "Valerie"... well done girls and nicely backed band!

Pachelbel's Canon....ish (on Guitar)

2009-07-16T11:33:00.003+01:00

Here's another highlight from the concert... Chris with his version of Pachelbel's Canon on electric guitar. But don't let that put you off... it really is well worth a listen!

Ewok Taiko Rangers

2009-07-16T11:24:00.004+01:00

Here's the first of a series of video clips (all uncut!) from the Variety Concert. The Ewok Taiko Rangers are our third level of Taiko Rangers. This was their first performance and they'd been working together for about 6 weeks...

Taiko Masterclass with Jonathan Kirby - Kagemusha Taiko

2009-07-16T11:13:00.004+01:00

In February we had a visit from Jonathan Kirby of Kagemusha Taiko. Jonathan was on his way up North (everything is North from Exeter isn't it?) and popped in to do a workshop with both the Padawan Taiko Rangers and the Taiko Rangers themselves. The visit coincided with the publication of Jonathan's new book and DVDs on teaching Taiko. If you havn't bought the set yet then go to the website and order your copy! Follow the link http://www.taiko.org.uk/FORMgallery1.htm. It was a truly inspirational couple of sessions and the students were truly inspired. Jonathan is in their eyes a true "Taiko Legend". He even got them dancing (the Japanese jig...).... wow!

Fund Raising - the Samaritans

2009-07-16T11:02:00.002+01:00

Each year the band puts on concerts to raise money for local charities and community organisations. On Saturday May 16th the College Band played at St. Alkmund's Church in Shrewsbury at lunch time followed by an evening gig with the Big Band in Wem to raise money for the local branch of the Samaritans. Here are some pictures... great T-shirts guys! Oh and a great gig that raised over five hundred pounds... well done everyone!

Variety Concert

2009-07-16T10:46:00.002+01:00

Well it's been a long time since I last updated the blog... sorry. So, expect an explosion over the next few weeks. I hope it's worth the wait. Here's the first, a collage from the Xmas Variety Concert. Enjoy!

Moishe's Bagel - authentic & not-so-authentic Klezmer and Balkan music

2009-03-17T08:11:00.005Z

It's time for the second of our Wem Roots gigs. Moishe's Bagel will be appearing this Friday 20th March at 8.00pm. Tickets are £12 and £8 for concessions. To book tickets ring 01939 234609. So, what on earth are they about and where did they get that name from?

How did they get that name...?

The legend of Moishe’s Bagel is as old as the story of bread itself. Or as hidden as the history of music. Or both.

Because of this, the exact details of Moishe and the Bagel (and how they are connected) are somewhat hazy. But most stories agree on at least two things: Moishe was either poor, a musician, or both. And the bagel of the tale is not just a piece of dough, but more often a symbol of love, food, or life itself. Or all three.

Here are some of the versions of the story of Moishe’s Bagel that have been handed down to us over the years...

Wedding day at Poldansk
In the small shtetl of Poldansk lived Rahel. Rahel was the most beautiful girl in the village, and she was also the daughter of Yasha, the (comparatively) wealthiest man for miles around. In Poldansk also lived Moishe, and Moishe and Rahel were deeply in love. Unfortunately, Moishe was a poor fiddler, and no match for the shtetl’s most illustrious debutante. Against the odds, the couple continued their clandestine relationship as best they could, snatching kisses under the cherry trees in springtime and secret caresses by the stream in summer. But (as they knew all along) Rahel’s father had other plans. One year, after a particularly successful harvest season, it was announced that Yasha had given Rahel’s hand in marriage to the neighbouring village’s most eligible bachelor, the notoriously bad-breathed Shlomo Schlotz. Rahel was horrified, but could never bring herself to go against her father’s wishes. And Moishe, unable to do anything to prevent the match, retreated to the rooftops where he consoled himself with his music...

Four weeks later, it was the day of Shlomo and Rahel’s wedding. The whole shtetl turned out to celebrate. The whole shtetl, that is, except Moishe, who had taken up residence on the rooftop of the village bakery, where that morning his friend D’vid the baker was rolling out long thin strips of dough. Each strip was rolled out to over twenty feet, whereupon it would be left out in the sun to partly dry, before being chopped into small sections, each section then carefully rounded over into a perfect bagel. From his vantage point on the roof, Moishe had a clear view of the wedding canopy set up in the village square, where at that moment Rahel was circling her groom seven times to declare her devotion, while the klezmorim (minus their fiddler) played Eshes Chayil (or something similar). Enraged, passionate, and utterly helpless, Moishe was consumed by the need to do something, anything, so as not to lose the woman he loved. The nearest thing to hand was one of D’vid’s long strips of bagel dough. Not really thinking things through, Moishe picked up one of the strips and hurled it towards the chuppah, where Rahel was just about to start her seventh circle.

As the unfurled proto-bagel flew through the air, Rahel looked up. Her and Moishe’s eyes met, and in that glance the long strip of dough was transformed by the power of their love. It encircled Rahel like a coil and lifted her up off the ground, carrying her towards the baker’s roof. As it passed the roof the coiled bagel picked up Moishe as well, binding the two lovers in a cirle of unleavened love, untouchable from the outside, and unbreakable from within. The spiralling bagel lifted the couple high into the air and carried them west, towards an unknown future in a strange land, but doubtless a future they would face together...

Back on the ground, the startled family and friends were at a complete loss. The father of the (not any more) bride, angry and embarassed, signalled to the band to play something, and quickly, to calm the escalating chaos. As their repertoire didn’t include any special tunes to accompany the mysterious and magical disappearance of a bride, the band did what any self-respecting musicians would do: they made something up on the spot. And what came out was generally agreed, by all who were actually able to make it out above the noise, to have been one of the finest and most majestic horas ever heard. So much so that the band began to incorporate it into their regular set, where it gradually became known as “Poldansk wedding, or Rahel and the Bagel”.

The King’s Challenge
Once upon a time, there were only two types of bread: round bread and square bread. This was before the days of croissants, focaccia, pitta, oatcakes (even matzoh), and it was certainly before the days of bread with a hole in the middle. There were at this time things called bagels, but they were indistinguishable from all types of other round bread. In fact, they only became bagels once they were served with lox and cream cheese. And they definitely didn’t have a hole...

One day the King, a keen patron of all types of culinary invention, offered a challenge to the bakers in the royal district, and the challenge went thus: “Design me a bread which is as beautiful as the sunrise. If you succeed you shall have riches and ovens beyond your wildest dreams. If you fail I shall cut off your head with your own breadknife.”

The twelve royal bakers were at a loss: surely nothing could be as beautiful as the sunrise. Although they loved bread as they loved life itself, none of them had any illusions as to its aesthetic merit, certainly not compared to the lofty glory of the golden sky which greeted them every morning. However, the King’s challenge had been laid down, and they had no choice but to accept...

One week later, the day of reckoning had arrived. Just before dawn, the twelve royal bakers nervously lined up, ready to present their offerings to the notoriously fickle King. In their right hand they carried their baked creations, in their left they carried their breadknifes. The breads were wonderful: there were intricate bas-relief landscapes, fabulous bursting sunrises, and several strange and wondrous fantasy creations, but none seemed to please the royal eye. One by one, each baker would march up to the King, holding out both hands in front of him. Without fail, the King would look at the breaded sunrise in the baker’s right hand, shake his head, and point to the baker’s left hand, wherein lay the unhappy breadsmith’s destiny.

The final baker, on shpilkes by this point, was Moishe. Always held to be slightly different from all the other bakers, Moishe had kept his bread hidden while the other bakers were being despatched, and he now stepped up to the royal platform with trepidation. Slowly he extended both hands...

The King looked at what Moishe had brought, and began to laugh. “Is this a joke?” he said. “I offer a respectable challenge, and you bring me a roll?” “A bagel, sire”, corrected Moishe, indicating the lox and cream cheese filling. “A bagel, you say? A bagel? Why, it is not even complete! Look, you fool, you have left a large gap in the centre of your bread! Not only do you bring me an insult, but you fail to even bake it properly! Who ever heard of a bagel with a hole in the middle?”

Whereupon Moishe lifted up his bagel until the hole in the middle was level with the King’s left eye. As Moishe held the bagel steady, the early morning clouds parted to reveal the breaking dawn. And there, through the bagel’s newly-acquired hole, was clearly visible, more beautiful than it had ever appeared before, the sunrise, framed now by a bagel (and some lox and cream cheese).

The Biblical Mix-Up (courtesy of Larry Mindel)
1500 years before the first bottle of whisky was distilled, Moses (aka Moishe) was tending his flock of sheep in the hot hills outside of Cairo. Suddenly a nearby bush caught fire and a sonorous voice addressed him thus:”Moses, I am the Lord thy God and I have a mission for you. Go, my son, and deliver the people of Israel from slavery, from that brute Pharaoh. They will give the world that bread of life, the Great Bagel.”

Yea, and Moses went to the court of Pharaoh (who, it is little known, was pretty damn deaf). And Moses pleaded with him (verily) and said “Give my people dough”. But Pharaoh mis-heard this as “Let my people go”.

Thus, the Israelites were free, but the development of Jewish cuisine was put back 2000 years.

The Chazzan’s Legacy
In the early years of the twentieth century, Jews moved in huge numbers from East to West. Some ended up in Palestine, many went to America, and some landed in Bethnal Green. One of the latter was Moishe Skatzim, a young man with a fabulous voice and a lot of determination. Through hard work, supportive friends and a lot of chutzpah, within a few years Moishe had become one of the East End’s favourite cantors, and his fame began to spread. Soon he was performing at shuls up and down the country, from West Ham to West Didsbury, always drawing huge and adoring crowds. Adding elements of klezmer, comedy, and even jazz (his name, after all, was Skatzim), Moishe became something of a pop star on the synagogue circuit. Women would throw their shawls at him, and men would discreetly have the initials MS embroidered into their yarmulkes.

As well as a star, Moishe was a good man, and he wanted to give something back to the community which had helped him thrive. An orphan himself, Moishe felt a particular affinity with the orphans and urchins who peopled the East End, surviving as best they could from whatever they could beg or steal from their neighbourhood. So he took as many as he could under his wing: he clothed them, he fed them, he housed them, and he taught them everything he knew about music. Soon, Moishe’s orphans were singing and playing alongside their mentor at local weddings, bar mitzvahs and concerts.

Moishe, despite his kind nature, had two weaknesses: tobacco and women, and it was clear to all that sooner or later at least one of them would catch up with him. In this case it was the cigarettes, and in his forties Moishe developed nodules in his throat which within months had rendered his glorious voice all but useless. Unable to perform, Moishe began to lose all self-esteem (and not a little money, as well). Moishe’s orphans became increasingly worried about him, and decided that it was time they stepped in to help. Putting all their old hustling skills to work, they began to collect money and clothes for Moishe, just as he had done for them years before. But cash and clothing only go so far, so what they chiefly collected was food. And as the most generous people in the neighbourhood tended to be bakers, the food they mostly collected was bread, and in particular bagels: poppy seed bagels, sunflower seed bagels, garlic bagels, gefilte fish bagels, latke bagels, even special passover bagels (a bit flatter than the others). Moishe’s orphans were also keen to continue his artistic legacy, and so they began to perform up and down the country, spreading the musical message that Moishe Skatzim had begun, calling themselves “Moishe’s Bagels”.

So, that's the story behind the name but who are they?

Greg Lawson - violin

Greg is part German Jewish, part traditional Durham mining stock. Growing up playing a variety of folk instruments, he studied violin (winning all sorts of prizes) at the Royal Northern College before arriving at the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. At the same time his broad interests and natural restlessness have led him into theatre, rock (on electric violin), Mr McFall's Chamber, and of course Moishe's Bagel. Greg's playing is characterised by intensity and a tone which sings every inch of the way. As a person he can be explosive, but always tremendously warm-hearted. His vibrancy and passion lends the band its intense force and sparkle.

Phil Alexander - piano

Phil was born in London to a leftwing Jewish family. He has a first in music from Goldsmiths College, where he studied with avant-garde guru John Tilbury. His musical experience ranges from Berlin Cabaret to contemporary classical, but his main love is klezmer (5 years in a Jewish wedding band planted a seed that continues to grow). In Edinburgh Phil currently leads his own jazz tango trio and plays piano with internationally-acclaimed Salsa Celtica, whilst his compositions have featured on London’s South Bank and at Edinburgh's Queen's Hall. Happiest leading the action from the middle, Phil’s driving piano and creative insight is the glue that brings the whole band together.

Pete Garnett - accordion

Pete grew up in the Yorkshire Dales but now lives in Galloway. Classical piano lessons at school proved uninspiring and he later taught himself to play accordion by ear. This took him into the folk scene, playing in ceilidh bands and with singer/songwriters. A growing interest in world music and jazz eventually led to Moishe's Bagel, passing through French cafe and Tango bands on the way . He also plays music for theatre, puppet shows, and silent films.

Home is an old showman's caravan on a hill farm though much of his time is spent on the road in his campervan doing gigs, going to sessions and exploring the countryside. In past lives he has been an engineer, plumber, and software writer, but 9 years ago took to playing music full time.

His rootsy box groove and encyclopaedic knowledge of tunes are the perfect compliment to Greg's firebrand fiddle.

Mario Caribe - double bass

Born in Sao Paulo, Mario started his musical education at 13, playing Bossa Nova guitar. He switched to electric bass one year later, and in 1986 completed a BMus in Composition. Back in Sao Paulo he was invited to play with the 'Heartbreakers', a condensed 9 piece jazz band, with whom he arranged, recorded and produced 7 CDs. He has also performed with many of the greatest singers in Brazilian Music such as Gal Costa, Caetano Veloso, Milton Nascimento, Nana Caymmi, and Zizi Possi. Mario has held several workshops on Latin American Music throughout Scotland. A big personality, Mario’s resonant tone gives the band its fundamental foundation, whilst his imagination and lightness of touch provide an irresistible danceability.

Guy Nicholson - percussion

A student of tabla, darabouka and congas, Guy studied with some of the UK's finest Indian classical musicians. He has learnt to adapt his style to Scottish folk music, where he is much in demand with internationally-renowned guitarist Tony MacManus. This restless spark drew him to Moishe's Bagel, keen as always to combine his innate rhythmic brilliance with the chance to discover new forms and grooves. When he is not playing percussion on every surface he can find, Guy is an expert woodworker, running community workshops and an increasingly bustling Glasgow shop. His responsive genius is the central plank of the group's unique sound, whilst his take-no-prisoners personality lends the band a welcome edge.

What do the critics say?

Our second album "Salt" was released late March 2007 and is distributed in the UK by Proper Distribution. Here's what the critics had to say...

“Sexy, vivacious, wonderfully mischevious yet exquisitely intense…their indefatigable musical energy couldn’t fail to touch you” Living Tradition

“There is something about this fearless Edinburgh quintet that it’s impossible not to like…that Moishe’s Bagel are a crack unit of musicians is obvious” Songlines

“has you gripped to your seat, marveling at the sheer audacity of the musicians” FRoots

“Virtuosity and sparklingly original pieces…small wonder that Moishe’s Bagel are kicking up a fuss in live settings” Daily Telegraph

“The music is fast and dynamic or subtle and seductive, and it’s full of unexpected twists…this is a CD for extended listening” Rock & Reel

“In their hands, such distinctive rhythmic forms sound surprisingly compatible” The Guardian

So get on the phone and book your tickets!

Nia Taiko - Medley

2009-01-30T15:41:00.003Z

Here's the first video from the Christmas Variety Concert. We took three of the Nia pieces and created a medley for the concert performance. So, here it is.... unlike previous recordings this was done with multiple cameras and a direct line feed for the audio. The whole concert has been mixed now so I'll be posting the videos over the next few weeks. Simon did the audio mix and then Adam did the sync with the video and the results I hope you will like! Let me know.

Nia - Taiko... a collaboration!

2009-01-30T07:55:00.008Z

On Sunday December 14th the Taiko Rangers travelled to the Morris Hall in Shrewsbury for a remarkable event. They had been approached by a Nia practitioner, Tracey Fenner, to create a live backing to an hour long Nia session. Nia is an holistic programme for "well-being" in the physical, emotional and spiritual sense. It therefore fits in well with the principles of Taiko. So, we worked on a series of nine pieces at varying tempi, starting slow, getting faster and then warming down again towards the end. The Taiko Rangers then worked for a month developing their performance before the event itself. The pieces are a combination of recorded and live sound, difficult to bring off, but in the end very effective. On the night everyone had a great time. It was hard work just watching! On the following day (the Variety Concert) we performed three extracts so watch out for the video coming soon!

Le Vent Du Nord - Wem Roots, Stanier Hall 23rd January 2009

2009-01-18T17:31:00.005Z

Since its inception in 2002, Le Vent du Nord has exploded onto the folk music scene. The group’s first recording, Maudite moisson! , was awarded the Juno for traditional album of the year in 2004 and was nominated for the same award by ADISQ. Their second album, Les amants du Saint-Laurent, was also nominated by ADISQ in 2005 in addition to being chosen album of the year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. 2005 was also the year that saw the group being rewarded as North American traditional artist of the year in Austin, Texas. Their show was nominated for an OPUS award and was named Show of the year by the American radio-concert series Bound for Glory. The group also appeared on the top-ten charts of a few radio stations, as high as #1 on CIBL Montréal and #5 on BBC3 in the UK, ahead of such well-known artists as Youssou N’Dour and Peter Gabriel.

... and you can see them at the Stanier Hall, Wem on Friday 23rd January starting at 8.00pm. Tickets are £12/£8 and are available on the door or in advance on 01939 234609. So come along and enjoy a great evening's entertainment with Le Vent Du Nord.

Strictly Come "Morris" Dancing....

2009-01-18T16:54:00.004Z

As well as the Staff Taiko sessions there were other "secret" rehearsals taking place once all the students had gone home. Shropshire as we all know is a hot-bed of "Folk" based activity, and several staff took on the challenge of learning to Morris Dance. I should warn you that the following video of their exploits contains some violent scenes... but please be advised that no staff were fatally injured in the interests of developing their Morris dancing skills. Many of them will however never be quite the same again. The performance took place at the Variety Concert on Monday 15th December 2009.

"Taiko" - Thomas Adams Staff Get With The Beat

2009-01-18T15:56:00.006Z

After many years of student Taiko at Thomas Adams there has developed a desire amongst the staff to have a go. The problems have always been when and how? When Willow decided to work at the school after finishing her 'A' Levels the opportunity arose to run a series of sessions over a one week period with each participant paying £5 towards Willow's project at Miriu in the summer of 2009, where she will work with the pupils and the local community on a programme designed to heighten awareness of HIV/Aids and how to prevent it! Since most of the pupils at the school are Aids orphans it seems a great idea and we were happy to support it. So the staff signed up and the following video is a diary of their week leading up to a performance at the variety concert on Monday December 15th 2009. How do you think they did? The proceeds from the staff were matched pound for pound with proceeds from the concert and raised £180 towards Willow's project. Thank you all.

Taiko Deaf Workshop 1

2008-11-23T17:53:00.003Z

On Thursday 20th November the Taiko Rangers loaded up the trailer, jumped aboard the 110 and travelled to Deansfield High School Deaf Resource Base in Wolverhampton. The Base is home to 12 deaf students from all over the Wolverhampton and beyond. The project's aim is to explore the potential for deaf students to experience music through Taiko. Traditionally deaf students in mainstream settings may be disapplied from music lessons or music lessons may be difficult for deaf students to access.

Having planned the project jointly with staff from the Deaf Resource Base this was phase one. The Taiko Rangers had a session on Deaf Awareness with Rob Hickman (deaf tutor from Wolverhampton) a couple of weeks ago. Then they planned how they were going to engage the students. The Rangers learnt some basic signs from British Sign Language (BSL) so that they could introduce themselves in BSL.

The aim on the day was to introduce the basic principles of Taiko, teach the students some base rhythms and a melody and put together a piece for performance. The Rangers also performed some of their work to the Deansfield Students to give them a clear idea of what Taiko was. Here's a video diary of the day. See what you think!

Vivaldi Flute Sonata - Video Clip 15

2008-11-20T09:55:00.002Z

Here's Olivia playing the opening movment of a Flute Sonata by Vivaldi accompanied by her teacher, Mike Penny.

Padawan Taiko Rangers - Video Clip 14

2008-11-19T08:14:00.002Z

Here are the Padawan Taiko Rangers who've been going for just over a year now. They're performing two pieces by Kagemusha Taiko; "Edge of Magic" and "Fearless".

Adjazz - Video Clip 13

2008-11-18T08:06:00.003Z

At the end of the first half the Big Band, Adjazz, performed two new numbers; "The Final Countdown" followed by the classic "Beyond The Sea" with the boys singing led by Jamie.

"Demelza" - Video Clip 12

2008-11-17T10:06:00.002Z

Here's Emma playing the classic "Demelza". What a lovely sound Emma.

"May It Be" - Video Clip 11

2008-11-14T13:04:00.003Z

Here's a lovley song written by Enya for the "Lord of the Rings" performed by the College Choir.

"Pinball Wizard" - Video Clip 10

2008-11-14T08:02:00.002Z

Here's the College Choir once again with 'The Who's' "Pinball Wizard, accompanied by Mrs Telford and Mike Penny.

"God On High" - Video Clip 9

2008-11-13T08:08:00.003Z

Here's the first of the College Choir numbers, "God on High" or "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables.

Liverpool Street Station - Video Clip 8

2008-11-13T07:59:00.003Z

Here are the Girls performing a lovely piece, "Liverpool Street Station". As ever they were directed and accompanied by Mrs Telford.

Bouree I & II by Bach - Video Clip 7

2008-11-11T08:25:00.002Z

Kate is competing in the Shropshire Music Service 'Concerto Competition' this month, playing the Allegro Appassionata by Saint-Saens. Here she is warming up for that performance with a pair of Bourees by Bach.

"Maybe This Time" - Grace - Video Clip 6

2008-11-11T08:04:00.002Z

Here's one of the highlights of the first half of the concert, Grace singing the wonderful 'Maybe This Time' from the film version of 'Cabaret'.

Past The Post.... You Me & the Weather - Video Clip 5

2008-11-07T08:31:00.002Z

Past the Post have become a bit of an institution and after their recent 'unplugged' success at the 'Hive' in Shrewsbury they performed one of their own songs 'You Me & The Weather', with a bit of an intro from Abby!

Girls Allowed.... Video Clip 4 - Autumn Concert 2008

2008-11-07T07:54:00.004Z

Here's our quartet of Year 11 GCSE girls who, following on from 'A Spaceman Came Travelling' last Christmas, decided to try their hand again with a lovely 'Sugababes' song arranged by themselves. Enjoy!

Autumn Concert 2008 Video Clip 3 - "Aria"

2008-11-06T16:55:00.003Z

Here's Jason's performance of Bach's 'Aria' from the Goldberg Variations. You'll all know this.... if you've seen the wonderful Anthony Minghella film 'The English Patient'.... the scene where the wonderful Juliet Binoche plays a piano at something of an angle.... and if you havn't seen the film it's one to watch! The Goldberg Variations were immortalized in the 1960's by the genius Glenn Gould...

Autumn Concert 2008 Video Clip 2 - Younglings Taiko

2008-11-06T16:16:00.006Z

The 'Younglings' (carrying on the Star Wars theme...) are our third Taiko group. They started in September and have had 5 sessions so far! They have been trained by 'Padawan's', Jenni (apologies for the misspelling... now corrected!) Megan, Lauren and Ellie. Well done folks!

Autumn Concert 2008 Video Clip 1 - Warwick Avenue

2008-11-06T15:44:00.005Z

Here's our first video clip from the recent Autumn Concert. Bethan singing Duffy's 'Warwick Avenue'. Hope you enjoy it.

Open Evening 2008

2008-11-06T08:33:00.001Z

The Open Evening on October 16th was a great success. The Music Department was represented by the three Taiko groups; Younglings; Padawan and Rangers.

Autumn Concert 2008

2008-10-27T10:59:00.001Z

The Autumn Concert went well, with some great performances. Here's the slideshow. Videos to follow!

Thomas Adam's Got Talent!

2008-10-17T09:00:00.005+01:00

We've known it for a long time but it has finally been confirmed! The Taiko Rangers have been invited to audition for 'Britain's Got Talent'. They will be travelling to the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, on Monday 27th October to audition in front of the three wise monkeys.... Simon, Piers and Amanda! We wish them the best of luck and I'll keep you posted as to their progress.

Autumn Concert - Thursday 23rd October 2008

2008-10-14T08:04:00.004+01:00

The Autumn Concert is upon us once again. This year it's several weeks earlier than normal because of problems caused by exams in November but we hope you will enjoy what promises to be a great show. As well as the usual performances by the various bands and choirs we have the slow movement from Schumann's Piano Concerto performed by Jason Wood and accompanied by the Orchestra, as well as a host of other solo and chamber performances. The evening will be topped off by the three Taiko groups! Come along and support the students who have been working really hard this past month to get their performances ready for our first concert of the year.

Wem Roots - Mor Karbasi

2008-10-06T08:05:00.002+01:00

Stanier Hall, Thomas Adams School, Wem
Friday 14th November ~ 8 pm
Adults £12 Concessions £8
Bookings 01939 234609
Promoted in association with Wem Folk Roots
Our web site is www.artsalive.co.uk

‘One of the great young diva’s of the global music scene’
Robin Denselow, The Guardian, April 08

Israeli Ladino sensation Mor Karbasi returns with a number of UK tour dates and a host of international gigs including New York, Paris and Florence.

Since stunning reviewers earlier this year with her debut album The Beauty and The Sea Mor has toured USA, performed at numerous international music festivals in UK and USA and been featured on France’s FR3 in a 50 minute documentary. Her recent New York gig took her to Manhattan for a performance in a Spiegel tent booked by World Music Institute.

Mor’s music, which reveals her Middle Eastern roots and love of Flamenco, is full, warm and rich. Inspired by her mothers singing of Andalucian Jewish ballads, her Persian, Moroccan and Spanish roots and her early years in Jerusalem’s Pena Flamenca, Mor’s album is a collection of new and traditional Ladino songs. Co-written with partner and Blackbud guitarist Joe Taylor, the songs are steeped in history but delivered with a new intensity and power. Mor sings in Hebrew, Spanish and English.

“This album establishes the London based Israeli singer Mor Karbasi as one of the great young divas of the global music scene like Mariza and Yasmin Levy. Karbasi has her own highly individual approach to the music, she sounds as dramatic as she looks, switching effortlessly from songs that mix flamenco and North African influences to old Ladino songs. Her voice is remarkable mixing powerm delicacy and control as she moves between rousing harsh edged and the spine tingling subtlety of a quieter piece. This surely one of the world music albums of the year.” Robin Denselow, The Guardian, April 08

Taiko Rangers at Towersey 2008

2008-08-26T15:48:00.002+01:00

On Thursday 21st August we all assembled at the Stanier Hall in torrential rain to pack the van and trailer with the drums and camping equipment. The journey down took 4 hours instead of the planned 2.5! I have never driven in such bad conditions. However, the convoy of two land rovers and a van arrived safely and it wasn't raining! So, tents were pitched and then it was off for food (it was 9pm by now!)... then back to sleep.

On Friday morning we rehearsed (without drums), had a light breakfast and then set off for the Welcome Ceilidh which we were performing in. All went well and then we went off to see "Salsa Celtica" amongst others.

Saturday dawned dry... and our lunch time set was outside! It was sunny and the set went well but lasted 30 minutes, which is a long time when you're drumming constantly. Then it was workshop time and 24 youngsters did a one hour work out led by the Taiko Rangers. In the evening the group split between "Whapweasel" and "Show of Hands" with a quick visit to the "Martin Simpson Trio".

Sunday dawned wet... and again our first set was outside! Muddy, but Ray was at hand to provide protection for the stands and the Rangers went barefoot! They then did their second workshop as well as their main Arena set with a really fast move between venues (which isn't easy when you've got massive drums to carry!). But, the audience all over the Festival Site loved them... In the evening it was the amazing "Bellowhead" and "Blowzabella" for entertainment!

Monday was our last day and the lunch-time spot went down well again. Then it was off to the farewell Ceilidh to round the Festival off with a bang! Prior to leaving the Rangers performed with Shootin' Roots, then home..... and a good time was had by all! Enjoy the pictures...

2008 - A Year of Achievement at Thomas Adams School

2008-07-30T12:27:00.003+01:00

You've hopefully already seen the 'Musical Revue' of 2008 so here is the picture (excuse the pun) of the whole school. Like the Musical Revue it was made for the Celebration of Achievement Evenings, held recently. Unlike the Musical Revue though it was done by Julie McGurrin. So, here's a year in the life of Thomas Adams School & Sixth Form College. As ever let me know what you think!

We're On The Road To Montreux... nearly!

2008-07-30T12:02:00.001+01:00

Having sorted out how to compress video and blog now I've sussed out the photo thing so here is album number one from Montreux, well actually it's departure day!

Youth Arts Award 2008 - Ich, Ni, San.....

2008-07-30T11:35:00.002+01:00

It was always our intention to produce a finished product between our three groups, Music, Music Technology and Media. So, here it is. I'm sorry it has taken so long to publish( getting used to my new MacBook and having to use new software does cause problems....) but I hope you like what you see. The Musicians did the Taiko, the Music Techs the recording and backing, whilst the animations are all Media. A final apology that the names in the credits are not all accurate so will be amended in September. So, this is the combined work of about 60 Year 9 students who worked for four days to complete their Youth Arts Awards during the last week of term. Let me know what you think!

Youth Arts Award 'Arts Event'

2008-07-15T14:36:00.002+01:00

As part of their Youth Arts Award the Year 9 students visited and exhibition in Shrewsbury called 'Stage' by Dorothy Cross. Dorothy was commissioned by Adrian Plant, Exhibitions officer of Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, to create a unique exhibition in Shrewsbury to honour the bicentenary of Charles Darwin's birth.

Cross' response to this commission was to visit the Galapagos Islands, which she did for two weeks in the spring of 2007 as the first artist-in-residence for the Gulbenkian Galapagos Artists' Residency Programme.

During this time Cross gathered video footage and sound recordings from which to create these new works which reflect on the evolution of art itself and the role of artists in a world facing huge environmental and cultural changes.

As an integral part of the commission Cross was invited to consider a range of Darwin related venues in Shrewsbury in which to exhibit her new video works. Her chosen venue was the Unitarian Church where Darwin attended services regularly as a young child with his mother.

What did you all make of the exhibition?

Youth Arts Award - July 2008

2008-07-14T17:14:00.001+01:00

Review of Youth Taiko Concert - Maisie

2008-06-30T12:59:00.001+01:00

June 28th brought about day 2 of the 4th National Taiko Festival. Hosted by Kagemusha Taiko, the event is usually held in Exeter, but this year it was different. Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire held the two day extravaganza, and it was anything but calm and quiet...
Being a member of the Taiko Rangers in Wem meant a day trip to Hertfordshire for a 2 hour Taiko workshop in the morning, then watching some junior groups in the afternoon. The evening was then spent performing our two new pieces, and getting to watch some of the other young drummers from across the country. The last time we had watched a live Taiko concert had been in February, when Mugenkyo came to Wem with their ‘Way of the Drum’ show, so we were all ready to see some more great taiko.
The afternoon performances from the younger taiko drummers were impressive. Kids from all over the country drummed their heart out with masses of enthusiasm, and the audience loved it. Not only groups from England played that afternoon though, as a visiting group from Japan (Kuretake Sogo Shien Gakko) played as well.
These performances were followed in the evening however by some fantastic groups. Night time brought the older groups to the stage, including us, ‘Black Dragon Drums’, ‘Tanoshii Taiko’, ‘Taiko Warriors’, ‘Kagemusha Junior Taiko’ and many others.
The evening progressed and we Rangers got more and more nervous seeing the high standards everyone was setting. From acrobatics to drumming at unimaginable speeds, these drummers had talent. One group maximised the drama in their piece with frightening masks, and a glow in the dark piece, whereas others used confusing rhythms; one thing was sure though, not a moment of the evening was unexciting.
The climax of the evening came when Kagemusha Junior Taiko hit the stage. Their energy and passion for taiko really showed in their playing, and they left the audience overwhelmed and tired from just watching it. There was amazing synchronicity between all the members, which made their performance all the more professional. The first song they played, ‘Kindred Spirit’, was breathtaking. The two lead players shone throughout the song, and made every other drummer in the room jealous.
After attending this remarkable and completely unique event, I am awestruck. There is no reason why anybody would not want to watch any of the performances that took place on the Saturday evening. It is no wonder taiko is growing more and more popular in the U.K, as seeing something this astonishing would make anybody want to play. Other than a blister and some broken sticks, the whole day was sensational, and I can’t wait to be back next year at the 5th National Festival. Because of everything we Taiko Rangers saw on Saturday, next year we will aim to be bigger and better, so watch out Exeter!

Taiko at Keele - 27th June 2008

2008-06-29T16:20:00.002+01:00

On Friday 27th June the Taiko Rangers were once again invited to Keele University, but this time it was to take part in a presentation celebrating the end of the academic year for the PGCE Students. In December they worked with the staff (lecturers and administrators) on Team Building through Taiko. The aim in the presentation was to show the student teachers what the lecturers and admin. staff had done to develop their skills. The event was in the University Gym and was opened by the Taiko Rangers. There then followed a series of presentations by students from each subject area and then the Taiko Rangers finished things off with a bang!

The Taiko Rangers decided to perform their two new pieces "Sakura" and "Matsuri" at the beginning and then finish off with "Folk Song". The video includes the two new pieces, which they then went on to perform on Saturday at the 4th National Taiko Festival.

4th UK Taiko Festival - June 28th 2008

2008-06-29T12:04:00.002+01:00

The Taiko Rangers assembled at 6.30am to go to the 4th UK Taiko Festvial, held this year in Hertfordshire. They arrived at 9.45am for a 2 hour workshop with Taiko guru Liz Walters of the Tamashi School of Taiko. Liz trained with Mugenkyo and set up the Tamashi school several years ago when she moved down to London. For two and a half hours the Rangers were put through their paces in a no holds barred session of group and individual tuition. By the end they were tired but better players without any doubt! At the end of the workshop they had performed one of the pieces (Matsuri) that they were to perform in the evening. Liz was really impressed, particularly with their 'Ki'.. or energy.

After a quick lunch break outside the Watersmeet Theatre in Rickmansworth the Rangers went in to see the Junior Taiko groups perform. A guest group had come from Japan, with the youngsters all suffering from Downs Syndrome. They had come on an exchange with a school in Prince's Risborough and had delayed their flight home to perform. It showed everyone exactly what we all believe that Taiko is for everyone. Their performance was just great, as were the other young Taiko groups from all over the UK.

Then it was time for a two hour rehearsal for the evening concert. The Rangers went through their paces and then retired to their dressing room for a break before the evening concert which started at 7.45pm. This 'Youth' concert was by the older 'Youth' groups and was amazing. The Taiko Tangers did their first public performance of "Sakura Matsuri" (New Beginnings) and it went down really well. Jonathan Kirby, festival director, came and congratulated them afterwords commenting on how much they had improved and how great their new piece was. Job done! So, then it was a case of sitting and watching the likes of the 'Black Dragons' and 'Kagemusha'. 'Kindred Spirit' and the final piece ' Frantic' were just fantastic and we all left inspired, but tired, returning to Wem at 1.30am.... a long day but well worth it. Thank you Jonathan for another great festival and we're already planning for next year back in Exeter.

Montreux Tour T-Shirts arrive..

2008-06-27T19:29:00.003+01:00

Here they are... the new tour t-shirts have arrived and so a photo opportunity was arranged during a break from rehearsals for the impending tour to the 42nd Montreux Jazz Festival. We think they look great.. close-ups will follow.

Music Department Revue 2007-2008

2008-06-22T18:51:00.003+01:00

For the Celebration of Achievement evenings this year we've been asked to create a 5 minute presentation. So, here it is, a little sneaky preview!

Ethic Etapes Youth Hostel - Evian

2008-06-17T12:19:00.000+01:00

Here's where we're staying...

www.cotelacevian.com

2008-06-13T11:37:00.003+01:00

The Taiko Rangers are now preparing for the 4th National Taiko Festival at the end of June. In the morning they will be doing a workshop with Joji Hirota and then in the evening performing as part of the final concert. Here they are in a slideshow with their new Miya-Daiko and Hira-Daiko drums, which arrived recently from China, via Dusseldorf. They look and sound amazing and will first appear in public in the summer when the Taiko Rangers perform at the Towersey Folk Festival. Martin Fischer is once again working on the design of the new stands for the huge Hira-Daiko drums, having just made two floor stands (in red) which again look great!

http://www.towerseyfestival.com/

http://www.taikofestival.org.uk/

Tales Of Music And The Brain

2008-06-05T10:45:00.003+01:00

Ever wondered how musical you are and why?

Why do some pieces of music affect you in certain ways whilst other pieces leave you cold?

Well, as part of the "Imagine" series on BBC, Alan Yentob investigates the amazing impact music can have on the human brain. Inquisitive to understand more he even offers himself up as a guinea pig and has an MRI scan to find out how his brain functions when listening to different types of music, which has some surprising results! Even neurologist, Professor Lawrence Parsons, who carried out the test is shocked by Alan's extreme neurological response to his favourite piece of music. The programme was stimulated by the renowned Neurologist Jonathan Sacks' new book "Musicophilia" which explores the lives of ordinary people dealing with extraordinary neurological conditions and how music works in their minds in strange and surprising ways. It's an amazing film, presented in an intimate and honest way, confronting a universal truth about the power of music.

If you didn't catch it then get on BBCiPlayer and find:

Tales Of Music And The Brain, BBC One, 3rd June 2008, 10.35pm.

You can also log onto:

www.bbc.co.uk/imagine

There is an ongoing study based at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne looking at musical perception ability in the general population. If you want to participate then follow the link:

http://www.delosis.com/listening/home.html

Montreux Here We Come...

2008-06-04T13:50:00.006+01:00

As many of you will know the Thomas Adams Big Band, Adjazz, has been invited to perform at the 42nd Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland this summer. The festival is the premier Jazz Festival in Europe, with a rich history.

In 1967, the first Montreux Jazz Festival opened its doors. The festival was held at Montreux Casino. It lasted for three days and featured almost exclusively jazz artists. The highlights of this era were Keith Jarrett, Jack DeJohnette, Bill Evans, Soft Machine, Weather Report, Nina Simone, Jan Garbarek, and Ella Fitzgerald.

Originally a pure jazz festival, it opened up in the 1970s and today presents artists of nearly every imaginable music style. Jazz remains an important part of the festival. Today's festival lasts about two weeks and attracts an audience of more than 200,000 people.

In the 1970s, the festival began broadening its scope, including blues, soul, and rock artists. In December 1971, Montreux Casino burned down (an event memorialized in the song Deep Purple song "Smoke on the Water"). The festival was forced to move until the new Casino was ready in 1975.

Towards the end of the decade, the festival expanded even more, including music from all continents (with an emphasis on Brazilian music) and lasting a full three weeks. Santana came to Montreux for the first time in 1970; Van Morrison played in 1974. Other artists included Weather Report, Camarón de la Isla, Soft Machine, Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton, Bo Diddley, Stan Getz, Airto Moreira, Joe Henderson, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Charles Mingus, Etta James, Sonn y Rollins, Count Basie, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, B.B. King, Gilberto Gil, Ray Charles, James Booker, Hermeto Pascoal, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Rory Gallagher, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Elis Regina, Les McCann, Eddie Harris, Pasadena Roof Orchestra, New Order, Jaco Pastorius, Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band, An dré Geraissati and many more.

The initiator and—as of 2006—still the head organizer, Claude Nobs, has managed to bring an array of artists to Montreux, both established ones and newcomers.

The festival was originally held at the old Montreux Casino, which burned down in December 1971 during Frank Zappa's performance. ("Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple tells that story.) The festival was held then in other auditoriums in Montreux, until it could return to the rebuilt new Casino in 1975. The festival continued to grow, and in 1993, it moved to the larger Convention Centre. From 1995 through 2006, it occupied both the Convention Centre and the Casino. Beginning with the 41st MJF in 2007, nightly performances of headliners were again moved mainly to the Convention Centre (though the Casino still hosts the odd one-off shows), owing mainly to logistics: the Casino is approximately 1 kilometre (1,100 yd) from the Convention Centre, making it difficult for crew, artists and technical personnel (as well as fans) to travel easily through crowded streets from one venue to the other. (This is exacerbated by the presence of a large number of streetside vendors and artisans - as well as strolling crowds of tourists - on the lakefront walk that connects the venues.) As of 2007, the Convention Centre hosts two main stages, Stravinsky Auditorium and Miles Davis Hall, as well as the smaller Montreux Jazz Cafe, and several smaller open-air stages around the Centre. Additional themed shows (Bahia, Blues, etc) are held on boats cruising the lake and train cars traveling the region, and various workshops and competitions are held at the nearby Montreux Palais and Le Petit Palais.

The festival changed in the 1980s: It started growing dramatically and included an even wider variety of music styles. Jazz remained important, but more and more rock and pop artists were also invited, and Brazilian music remained important.

Miles Davis came to Montreux several times, also British hard rock band Deep Purple were invited as headliners for 5 times. Santana returned in 1980. Other notable artists at Montreux were Max Roach, James Brown, Wynton Marsalis, Art Blakey, John McLaughlin, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Wayne Shorter, Al Di Meola, Elvis Costello, Jimmy Cliff, Mike Oldfield, Brian May, Marvin Gaye, Leonard Cohen, Nina Hagen, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Joe Cocker, Los Lobos, The Manhattan Transfer, Tracy Chapman, and Van Morrison again.

The expansion that began in the 1980s continued in the 1990s and the 2000s — Montreux transformed from a jazz festival into a world music festival. Quincy Jones coproduced the festival from 1991 to 1993. By 1993, the festival had outgrown the Casino and moved to the larger Convention Centre. The number of visitors rose from 75,000 in 1980 to 120,000 in 1994, and an "Off-festival" developed on the lakeshore promenades and in the cafés of Montreux.

Many "regulars" returned, but many new artists also appeared on stage: Sting, Bob Dylan, Fats Domino, Deep Purple, Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan, Johnny Cash, Cheb Mami, Youssou N'Dour, Marianne Faithfull, Ice T, Jazzmatazz, ZZ Top, Simply Red, Eric Clapton, Marisa Monte, George Benson, Jazzkantine, Alanis Morissette, David Bowie, Paul Simon... In 1999, the festival saw more than 220,000 visitors.

The festival has also played host to some of the most well-known and talented student groups, including big bands and vocal ensembles. Thomas Adams School Big Band, Adjazz is now to join the illustrious list in July 2008. It is indeed a great honour and a tribute to the students at Thomas Adams School.

The expansion has also prompted a DVD series to be released showing the sets of a number of great artists from a range of genres playing at the festival. The series, entitled 'Live at Montreux' includes performances from artists such as:

Deep Purple - 1969, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2006
Ella Fitzgerald - 1969
Frank Zappa - 1971
Van Morrison - 1974 & 1980
The Mahavishnu Orchestra - 1974 & 1984
Canned Heat - 1976
Weather Report - 1976
Bonnie Raitt - 1977
Marvin Gaye - 1980
Mike Oldfield - 1981
Stevie Ray Vaughan- 1982 & 1985
Eric Clapton - 1986
Gary Moore - 1990
The Moody Blues - 1991
Johnny Cash - 1994
Dr John - 1995
Otis Rush - 1996
Emerson, Lake and Palmer - 1997
Earth, Wind & Fire - 1997
Legends - 1997
Boney James - 1999
The Jeff Healey Band - 1999
Lou Reed - 2000
UB40 - 2001
Candy Dulfer - 2002
Muse - 2002
Jethro Tull - 2003
Yes - 2003
Suzanne Vega - 2004
Carlos Santana presents Buddy Guy, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and
Bobby Parker - 2004
Steve Earle - 2005
Alice Cooper - 2005
Robert Plant - 2006
Ray Charles
Rory Gallagher
Marcus Miller

One of our three performances at the festival will be filmed! Watch this space.... If you want to have a preview of the festival and our performances then please follow the link

http://www.montreuxjazz.com/concerts/stage_fr.aspx?l=4

Spring Concert 2008 - Part Two

2008-04-20T13:55:00.003+01:00

Here is a selection of items from the second half of the concert, including the Senior Choir, the Padawan Taiko Rangers and the Taiko Rangers along with some solo items. Hope you enjoy it!

Big Band Gig for Alder Hey Children's Hospital

2008-04-13T12:51:00.000+01:00

On Saturday 12th April the Big Band performed at a Champagne Reception and Dinner at Liverpool's Crowne Plaza Hotel, next to the Liver Building. They had been invited by Jan Thomas to entertain the guests at this annual fund-raising dinner to raise money for Ronald McDonald House which is part of Alder Hey Children's Hospital. It seemed fitting that young people should be providing the entertainment somehow. The band left Wem at 3.30pm arriving in Liverpool at 4.45pm to set up and sound check. The hotel staff were really welcoming and gave the band a suite to "relax" in, providing sandwiches, chocolate bars and drinks.... before going back down to the reception to play from 6.50pm until 7.45pm. Dinner was then called and the quartet of Josh, Errin, John and Henry went through to the dining room to entertain the guest whilst they ate starters. Meanwhile the rest of the band packed away.... and we left promptly at 8.25pm arriving back in Wem by 9.45pm to load the gear back into the trailer. We didn't take the whole band, just the older members, but 35 still made a great sound! Thanks all of you... a good rehearsal for Montreux I think. Now we've got to learn some new numbers!

Spring Concert 2008 - Part One

2008-04-05T10:23:00.008+01:00

Phew, after what seems like an eternity I have finally managed to post the video of the first half of the Spring Concert. The Spring Concert took place on the last day of term, Wednesday 19th March. The programme was the by now traditional eclectic mix of items from "Adjazz" and their "Blues Brothers Revue" to Emily singing "Purcell" to Josh playing "Fugue" by the Swedish virtuoso guitarist Malmsteen. There were also performances by the choirs, the "Not So Small Band", the "Taiko Rangers" and the" Padawan Rangers". This selection is from the first half, to be followed by another selection from the second half. We hope you enjoy it.

Music Manifesto

2008-03-22T18:05:00.003Z

At last the blog has been recognised at a National level! In the News section of the Music Manifesto we have been recommended! Follow the link and have a look....

http://www.musicmanifesto.co.uk/news/details/News-round-up--19-March/21912

Spring Concert 2008

2008-03-20T14:15:00.000Z

The Boyfriend - Picture Gallery

2008-03-17T13:35:00.000Z

Global Action Evening - Taiko Rangers

2008-03-06T13:06:00.001Z

Taiko Rangers - "The Way of The Drum"

2008-03-04T14:11:00.004Z

On the evening of the Mugenkyo performance "The Way of the Drum" (Friday 29th February) the Taiko Rangers were invited to perform. This was indeed a great honour. All of the members of the Taiko Rangers were very excited, especially those who had seen Neil and Miyuki perform at last year's National Taiko Festival in Exeter.

In the afternoon they performed the set they intended to perform as the opener for the second half of the evening's performance. It was like "Pop Idol" with Peter, Neil and Miyuki sitting cross-legged on the floor waiting for the Rangers to audition.... the concentration was incredible and all three pieces were brilliant.

After the performance the Rangers (23 of them) were treated to a masterclass by Neil, Miyuki and Peter. A great couple of hours followed. Technique was the major focus. Then, all too soon, their insight into the world of professional Taiko was over. The evening performance became the focus. Applying some of the lessons learnt in the afternoon would be a challenge.

The video features two of the three performances. The first piece is called "Edge of Magic" and was written by Jonathan Kirkby of Kagemusha Taiko. This was performed by the Padawan Taiko Rangers with a bit of help from some of the older students. The second piece is the "Folk Song" we took to the National Festival last year, but with two new members playing in the group, Maisie and Kate. They have learnt it really quickly...

Finally this was the first appearance of our new drum in a concert! A special stand was built by Martin Fischer to whom we are incredibly grateful. The drum looks amazing standing up there in the middle... playing it is another story as Willow and Steven will tell you.

We hope you enjoy the clips. Let us know what you think.

Mugenkyo Taiko Workshop

2008-03-03T11:01:00.000Z

Taiko Rangers & "Past The Post" at the "Global Action" Evening - February 28th 2008

2008-02-29T11:43:00.001Z

REME Band Workshop Performance

2008-02-29T08:24:00.004Z

The Musicians from the Band of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers led by Director of Music Captain Darren Wolfendale arrived at the Stanier Hall promptly at 12.30 to set up for the afternoon at Thomas Adams. By 1pm the members of the Thomas Adams Big Band (Adjazz) were ready to start. The aim was to work on two unfamiliar pieces (just a couple of rehearsals were done prior to the workshop) for an hour and then present a joint concert to the whole of Year 7 (200 students) at the end of the afternoon. We chose "Chips & Salsa" in an arrangement by the Phil Collins Big Band and a "Blues Brothers Revue" featuring classic songs like "Soul Man" and "I Can't Turn You Loose...."

Captain Wolfendale worked the students really hard and each section had at least one Army musician with them to help.. After a brief presentation on the Life of an Army Musician the two bands presented a concert to Year 7 showing what they had achieved.

Let me know what you think..

REME Band Workshop - February 26th 2008

2008-02-26T18:43:00.000Z

THE BAND OF THE CORPS OF ROYAL ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS WORKSHOP - February 26th 2008

2008-02-19T15:35:00.005Z

Following on from the success of last year's workshop with the Band of the Royal Marines on Tuesday 26th February Thomas Adams School will be hosting a Band Workshop with 32 musicians from the REME Band based in Reading. They will work side by side with the members of the Big Band. The students will be directed by one of the REME Bandmasters focusing on two pieces the Big Band are currently working on, "Chips & Salsa" and "Blues Brothers Revue". After the workshop session the two bands will present a joint concert to 220 Year 7 students in the Stanier Hall. We'll let you see how they all get on... meanwhile here's a bit of background about the REME band, with whom we've had a long-standing relationship.

THE BAND OF THE CORPS OF ROYAL ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS

The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers was formed on 1^st October 1942. Throughout the first five years of its existence, musical support for all Corps functions had been provided by a small group of musicians playing drums and fifes. As the Corps expanded the demand for this group began to increase and it was decided to appoint a Bandmaster for the purposes of developing the skills of the existing musicians and to recruit others. The Band remained unrecognized by the military authorities until 1947 when War Office Letter 27/GEN/2935 (AG1A) dated 23^rd September gave authority for Staff Band status.

The Corps Band’s first Director of Music was Captain Denis Plater who had transferred from the Royal Tank Regiment. Its establishment had initially been set at one Band Sergeant, two Corporals, three Lance Corporals and thirty-four Musicians and as the musical standards began to improve, the Band soon started to undertake engagements across the whole of the British Isles.

Today the REME Band’s expertise is seen and heard all over the world and it enjoys an outstanding reputation for musical excellence. In past years the Band has toured extensively in the USA, Canada, Germany, Bosnia, Italy, Cyprus, Uzbekistan, Guatemala, Mexico and throughout the whole of the United Kingdom.

The Band possesses a diverse range of musical ensembles all of which are in frequent demand. These include a Concert Band, Marching Band, Big Band, Dance Band, Pop Group, Chamber Groups, Fanfare Trumpets and a Disco. In addition to their musical duties, the musicians have a role assisting the Army Medical Services in times of emergency.

Miya-Daiko Arrives...

2008-01-29T14:07:00.000Z

Our first "new" Taiko drum has arrived! It has taken a lot of work to source drums at a reasonable price but they are out there... so all the patience has paid off. The drums are actually made in China (isn't just about everything) and imported into the EU by a dealer in Dusseldorf, Germany. We need to buy our own set of drums and this is the first step. The drums we currently use are on loan and there will come a time when they will have to go elsewhere. With the money raised from recent workshops (namely Wem Tangent and Keele University) we have purchased this beautiful drum.

Mugenkyo Taiko - Wem Stanier Hall February 29th

2008-01-24T14:45:00.000Z

Tickets: Adults £12 and Students £6 are now available so ring 01939 234609 and get them booked!

First Light Movie Awards - Panel

2008-01-22T17:50:00.000Z

First Light Movie Awards

2008-01-22T17:22:00.000Z

These are exciting times... both of the films that were made under the "First Light" scheme have been nominated for the First Light Movie Awards 2008. We are the only school that has two films up for awards, and within each category only three films are nominated. Both films were written by musicians, Ben Welch (now at Bristol reading English) and Josh Withey (now at Lincoln reading Media). Ben and Josh both played important roles in the band with Ben on guitar and Josh on lead tenor. The films were made last year and the soundtracks composed and recorded within the Music Department under the guidance of George Beasley.

Cityscape is up for Best Animation with music written and performed by Simon France (now at Derby studying Music Technology).

Dirty Secret is up for Best Comedy with music written performed and recorded by Emma Wheeler (now at Oxford reading Theology), Josh Ballantyne (hoping to go to LIPA) and Errin McGrath (Year 12).

The Awards take place at the ODEON Leicester Square on March 4th so we'll have to wait and see how they get on. The films are being judged by a panel including: Kevin Spacey, Orlando Bloom, Stephen Fry, Alan Rickman, Michael Winterbottom, and Sam Mendes.

Fingers crossed... and good luck! For more details follow the link

http://www.firstlightmovies.com/

Mugenkyo Taiko - Wem Stanier Hall February 29th

2008-01-15T08:44:00.000Z

For those of you who didn't already know we are hosting, in collaboration with Wem Roots and Arts Alive, perhaps the most exciting Arts event in recent times... Mugenkyo Taiko. So to whet your appetite here's al little bit about them...

" The name "Mugenkyo" means "limitless reverberation" and reflects our belief that Taiko has no limitations, no musical or geographical boundaries; the reverberations of Taiko are spreading throughout the world. The possibilities of Taiko are endless, both in its pure form, and in collaborations with other artists and disciplines. It is our aim to develop Taiko as a modern European art form, relevant to the world in which we live.

Thundering rhythms on huge taiko drums interweave with delicate bamboo flute and subtle percussive soundscapes in a spellbinding display of fluid grace, precise choreography and sheer athleticism.

The concert captivates with its passion and intensity, journeying through a myriad of moods, from the heart-pounding excitement of 'Ikkyo', the dark brooding 'Otherworld', the hypnotic 'Phoenix', to the happy festival atmosphere of 'Matsuri'."

Through their 10 years of rigorous touring, Mugenkyo have developed a gritty passionate style that is uniquely their own. Retaining the traditional spirit of taiko, yet creating a thoroughly contemporary sound, Mugenkyo are forging a new path with their innovative approach.

"Drumming as an almost religious experience. exhilarating to behold."
The Glasgow Herald

"Just when you think it could not get any more powerful, it doubles in intensity.
This show is not one to be missed."
Edinburgh Evening News

Christmas Carol Concert Performances II

2008-01-13T18:02:00.000Z

Here are some more performances from the Christmas Carol Concert. The Thomas Adams School Choir perform a student composition "Christmas Lullaby" (by Grace Edwards), "Adiemus" by Karl Jenkins, an "Impromptu in G Minor" by another student, Kyle Preston and a movement from Lalo's "Symphonie Espagnol" performed by Errin McGrath.

School Production - "The Boyfriend"

2008-01-11T08:58:00.001Z

This year's School Production is Sandy Wilson's "The Boyfriend". Rehearsals started in October and the students have been working hard preparing for what promises to be a great show. Performances are on:

Thursday 31st January
Friday 1st February &
Saturday 2nd February

Each performance starts at 7.15pm.

Tickets: Adults £5.50 - Concessions £4.00 are available in advance from the school on 01939 237000

Dr. Janet Mills

2008-01-11T08:30:00.000Z

Dr. Janet Mills, one of the foremost Music Educators this country has ever seen, died on Christmas Eve 2007. She was a highly respected and influential figure in the field of music education, both nationally and internationally. She began her career as a secondary teacher, and became a teacher trainer at Westminster College in Oxford and the University of Exeter before being appointed HM Inspector of Schools, and Ofsted’s Specialist Adviser for Music. Her publications include the books, Music in the Primary School (1991) Music in the School ( 2005) and Instrumental Teaching (2007), and she has published countless articles on music education in international research journals. In 2004 she won a National Teaching Fellowship and her most recent post was as Research Fellow at the Royal College of Music, London, where she led the Music Education Research Team and ran nine music education projects. Her work and her books have been vital in moving forward the Musical Education of young people over many years. She will be missed. I've put a quote from her in my Quote of the Week column.

Christmas Carol Concert

2008-01-02T13:46:00.000Z

This video features three performances; Adams College Choir performing "You Raise Me up"; Olivia Gregory performing "Christmas Morning" by Cindy Lauper and "Lean On Me" performed by the Boys' Choir.

Christmas Carol Concert 2007

2008-01-02T11:28:00.000Z

The Carol Concert, held each year in the Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul Wem, is loosely based on the traditional service of lessons and carols. In our annual Carol Concert there are readings, Carols and other musical items. Here is a solo performed by Jason Wood; Mozart's "Rondo Alla Turca".